The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce awarded six business leaders for their continued contributions to Macon’s economic success. The awards centered on their community engagement, commitment to the mission of the Greater Macon Chamber to advance business success in the region and their personal impact on the community. The awards ceremony and annual meeting took place on Thursday evening, December 1, at the Terminal Station. 

The Greater Macon Chamber award recipients were: 

• 2022 Citizen of the Year: Ron Shipman, Interim Executive Director of the Macon Water Authority 

• 2022 Chairman’s Award:  Robbo Hatcher, Chief Executive Officer at H2 Capital, Inc. 

• 2022 Ambassador of the Year:  Josh Wilson, Account Executive at Clearwave Fiber 

• 2022 Workforce Champion:  Andrea Griner, VP Economic Development at Central Georgia Technical College 

• 2022 Robert F. Hatcher Leadership Macon Alumni: Malcolm Burgess, Chairman of Burgess Pigment Co.  

• 2022 Small Business Leader: Scott Mitchell, Owner of Travis Emporium & Bohemian Den 

In addition to the award recipients, Col. Michael Francis presented a welcome and remarks on behalf of Robins Air Force Base. The ceremony continued with new Greater Macon Chamber President & CEO Jessica Walden providing remarks about the state of the Chamber, which included the Chamber’s upcoming historic move from Coliseum Drive to Poplar Street and a new chapter for the 161-year-old business organization.  

“The State of the Chamber is this: we exist to be a team player, community collaborator and regional partner,” she said. “In this evolution, the Chamber will be relevant in laying the bricks for Macon’s business success. This success is diverse and inclusive, with a responsive cultural narrative. We are a trusted regional partner. And it’s not just location, location, location - it’s people, people, people who want to be in our best location to do business.”