The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated individuals, businesses, and organizations whose remarkable contributions have strengthened the Macon-Bibb business community and showcased exemplary engagement with the Chamber at its annual awards ceremony on Thursday, November 21, at 3 p.m., at Fall Line Station.

The ceremony also featured Greater Macon Chamber President and CEO Jessica Walden's annual “State of the Chamber” address, which updated stakeholders on the Chamber’s progress and initiatives over the past year.

“As Macon-Bibb’s most significant, organized business community, we hosted nearly 90 programs this year and go to work daily for the economic vitality of our businesses,” said Walden. “Our Annual Awards program is a special demonstration of how we’re greater together - a culmination of the vitality we’ve experienced and the excitement of our momentum that continues to build for our region.”

Each year, award recipients reflect the diversity and vitality of businesses in the Macon-Bibb region, spanning nonprofit and public service sectors, small businesses, and leading economic drivers. The ceremony’s award categories include:

• Citizen of the Year

• Robert F. Hatcher Distinguished Leadership Macon Alumni Award

• Ambassador of the Year

• Workforce Impact Award

• Small Business of the Year

• Business Catalyst of the Year

• Chairman’s Award

• Industry of the Year

Each year, the Macon Chamber Board Chairman presents an award to someone for their exemplary efforts on behalf of the Chamber and the community. This year’s Chairman’s Award recipient, Mayor Lester Miller, is recognized for his exemplary efforts for the Chamber and the community.

The Citizen of the Year, awarded to Stephen Daugherty, is recognized for his character and contributions to our community and for working diligently to enhance the livability of the area and the economic climate of the region, which has resulted in the creation of new jobs and economic opportunities. The award was presented by Bruce Leicht of Cadence Bank and Kathryn Dennis of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, who was last year’s recipient.

The Robert F. Hatcher Distinguished Leadership Macon Alumni Award, awarded to Karla Redding—Andrews, is awarded to an individual who is a graduate of Leadership Macon, actively involved in making our community better, has attained professional success within Macon-Bibb, and exemplifies positive and effective community leadership. The award was presented by Leadership Macon Alumni Alison Bender of the Brookdale Warming Center and Meaghan Blight of Wesleyan College.

The Ambassador of the Year award, given to Izza Sola, is presented to a volunteer participant in the Macon Chamber’s Ambassador program for outstanding work in cultivating and engaging new investors and encouraging existing investors to stay involved with the Chamber. Ivey Hall of the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity and Chrissy Miner of The Miner Agency presented the award.

The Greater Macon Chamber’s Workforce Impact Award, awarded to Sheridan Construction, is awarded to a person, agency, or business engaged with the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce who is strategically focused on growing and sustaining our local workforce pipeline and making an impact with talent recruitment and retention efforts. Eric Williams and Miguel Garcia of Prince Service & Manufacturing presented the Award.

The Greater Macon Chamber’s Small Business of the Year, given to Bibb Distributing Company, is awarded to a small business with under 100 employees who impacted their community, served as a champion for the Chamber, and re-invested their time, money, and efforts in the local economy. Charise Stephens of the Macon-Bibb County Office of Small Business Affairs presented the award.

The Greater Macon Chamber’s Business Catalyst of the Year, presented to The Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative, is awarded to a business catalyzing positive disruption, innovative growth, advocacy, or inspiring and compelling business practices. Business Catalysts can achieve this through improving the workforce pipeline, creating avenues of local expansion, promoting Macon, or implementing business initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion. Terry McMichael of McNair, McLemore, and Middlebrooks presented the award.

• Citizen of the Year: Stephen Daugherty, Piedmont Macon Medical Center

• Robert F. Hatcher Distinguished Leadership Macon Alumni Award: Karla Redding-Andrews, Otis Redding Foundation

• Ambassador of the Year: Izza Sola, Beach Insurance Group

• Workforce Impact Award: Sheridan Construction

• Small Business of the Year: Bibb Distributing Company

• Chairman’s Award: Mayor Lester Miller, Macon-Bibb County

• Business Catalyst of the Year: The Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative

• President’s Award/Chairman’s Recognition: Tyson Firlotte, Irving Consumer Products

• Industry of the Year: Irving Consumer Products

In addition to the awards, Greater Macon Chamber President and CEO Jessica Walden delivered the Chamber’s annual “State of the Chamber” to update stakeholders on the Chamber’s progress over the past year. Among the highlights:

• In 2024, the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce hosted 88 programs, including signature programs like the annual State of the Community, introducing a New Teacher’s Welcome Reception, re-inventing Macon Area Connections to MAC: Mingle with Singles, and continued area ribbon-cutting celebrations.

• Program revenue with the Greater Macon Chamber has increased 21 percent this past year.

• Membership revenue and the number of members have also increased compared to last year. The Chamber now has 775 members, also known as Investors, in its network.

• The Chamber’s strategic workforce initiative, the digital platform GreaterCareerWorks.org, has now reached nearly 17,000 active users thanks to partnerships with the Bibb County Schools and Twiggs County Schools.

This year’s awards are made possible by presenting sponsor Cox, with additional support from Macon Water Authority, Macon-Bibb County, Cadence Bank, All-State Electrical Contractors, Atrium Health Navicent, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute – Radiation Oncology, Prince Service & Manufacturing, Brookdale Resource Center, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Irving Consumer Products, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity, Macon-Bibb Small Business Affairs, McNair, McLemore, Middlebrooks & Co., Robbo Hatcher, Sheridan Construction, The Miner Agency, Wesleyan College, Cherokee Brick & Tile Co., L.E. Schwartz & Son, Macon-Bibb Co. Industrial Authority, and The Mutual Financial Group.