Congratulations ~ Davie Chamber Gala Celebrates 2018 Best of Davie Winners!

The Davie County Chamber of Commerce held its 49^th Annual Awards Gala and Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 18th at WinMock in Bermuda Run. The evening began with a welcome reception of networking and mingling followed by a delicious dinner in the loft. The Awards Gala is the Chamber’s opportunity to highlight achievements of the past year and to honor the recipients of their signature awards:  E.C. Tatum Humanitarian Award, Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Chamber Ambassador of the Year. The “Best of Davie” award winners were also announced.

This year’s event included a report by Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission, sharing the success of the Commission’s five-year capital campaign and detailing future steps for Davie County’s continued economic development success.

Keynote speaker Christopher Chung, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, defined economic development in North Carolina and explained that increasing the wealth of a community, county, or state was dependent upon attracting outside dollars. As a public-private partnership, the EDPNC is focused on advancing the economic interests of North Carolina’s 100 counties and more than 10 million residents.

“The Davie Chamber hosts the Annual Awards Gala to celebrate the successes of the year and to honor businesses and individuals who do so much to make our community a great place to live and work,” said Caroline Moser, president of the Davie County Chamber of Commerce. “Once again, this year’s event was sold out, and we enjoyed a fantastic night of celebrating our Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year,  E.C. Tatum Award, and Chamber Ambassador of the Year winners as well as Best of Davie winners.”

Hollingsworth Companies  — Davie County 2018 Business of the Year
The 2018 Davie County Business of the Year award was presented to the Hollingsworth Companies, by Bralley who recognized the company for its significant contribution to Davie County and its positive impact on the local economy. Since 1998, SouthPoint Industrial Park has brought hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars of investment to Davie County.

“Our partnership with The Hollingsworth Companies has provided an inventory of available buildings and permitted lots for people who don’t have time to waste,” said Bralley. “We have been blessed with a developer like Joe Hollingsworth who has been flexible enough to lease, sell, or provide equity capital for companies locating in our community. This is an advantage that every small community and every economic developer would love to have. Our 22-year public/private partnership has developed into a rare and cherished catalyst to economic development in Mocksville and Davie County.”

DavieLiFE magazine –Davie County 2018 Small Business of the Year

The 2018 Davie County Small Business of the Year Award was presented to DavieLiFE magazine by Chuck Taylor of Sage Garden Care Center who recognized the hometown publication for 10 years of promoting everything good about Davie County. DavieLiFE Magazine celebrates the businesses, organizations, and people that make Davie County the special place that it is. 

Is his speech, Taylor said, “They are the curators of our customs. They are harbingers of our hopes. They are the tellers of our tales. Celebrating their 10^th year in business, Wendy Horne and Molly Ridenhour have spent countless hours holding high the stories of what makes Davie County the place where we belong. No longer just a magazine, they breathe creativity into social media planning, into artistic development, into storytelling, and advertising.”

Julius Suitor — Recipient of the 2018 E.C. Tatum Humanitarian Award!
The 2018 E.C. Tatum Humanitarian Award was presented by Lee Rollins, town manager of Bermuda Run, to Julius Suitor who has invested fifty-four years into the Davie County community since coming here to teach. He was awarded the Piedmont Baseball Coach of the year in 1971 and ended his professional career in education as the Wachovia Bank Principal of the Year in 1991. He was recognized as the Mocksville Jaycees Man of the Year in 1976 and received the local NAACP Community Service Award in 2013.

He served as the moderator for the Martin Luther King, Jr. speech contest sponsored by the Town of Mocksville and currently serves as the moderator for the Davie County Veteran’s and Memorial Day observances.  He recently served as one of the judges for the Davie Respect Initiative.

Suitor is the longest-serving board member of the Davie County Economic Development Commission. In 2005 he was honored with the prestigious N.C. Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award.

During his speech, Rollins said, “As we approach a national holiday dedicated to the memory of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is most appropriate to summon one of his timeless quotes: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others’?” Tonight, we recognize an individual who has turned that question into measured and continuous action.”

Diane Albon of VIP HomeKeeping — Davie Chamber 2018 Ambassador of the Year
The 2018 Davie County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year award was presented to Diane Albon of VIP HomeKeeping by Chamber President Caroline Moser. Chamber Ambassadors promote their own companies; promote Chamber events and programs; visit new and existing Chamber members; represent the chamber at groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and other Chamber events and assist with Chamber projects. Ambassadors believe in the chamber and have a desire to share with other businesses the many benefits and camaraderie that is gained by being part of an organization.

In her speech about Albon, who has served as an ambassador for 4 ½ years, Moser said, “One of Diane’s most distinguishable characteristics is her servanthood to the Chamber. She uses every occasion to represent the Chamber and its members before herself. Diane is one of the first people to greet you at an event, and through conversation gets to know you and your business very quickly. Once known, she becomes your biggest cheerleader and loves to see your business grow.”

2018 Best of Davie Awards
“Best of Davie Awards were designed to give our community a voice in who they believe are the best businesses in Davie County,” Moser said. “Based on the 5000 online ballots submitted, we have not only found a great way to shine the spotlight on our local businesses, but we have clearly engaged our community as well.”

The 2018 Best of Davie awards were presented by Kyle and Elizabeth Swicegood of Century 21 & The Swicegood Group.

Best Law Firm
Martin & Van Hoy, LLP
Runner Up: Welborn Law Firm, PLLC

Best Civic / Nonprofit
The Dragonfly House
Runner Up: Family Promise of Davie County

Best Customer Service
Honor Darling
Runner Up: The Factory Coffeehouse

Best Salon
Gemini Hair & Nail Fashions
Runner Up: Sarah Ashley Salon

Best Real Estate Agency
Hillsdale Real Estate Group
Runner Up: Total Real Estate Group

Best Boutique
Bird & Co.
Runner Up: Honor Darling

Best Place for Your Pet
Valley Animal Clinic
Runner Up: The Country Veterinary Hospital

Best Restaurant
Restaurant 101
Runner Up: Davie Tavern

Best Financial Service Provider
State Employees’ Credit Union
Runner Up: Edward Jones – Steve Talton

Best Vineyard
RayLen Vineyards & Winery
Runner Up: Lazy Elm Vineyard & Winery

Best Place to Get Fit
Rich Park
Runner Up: Davie Family YMCA

Best Place to Worship
Rescue House
Runner Up: Hillsdale United Methodist Church

Best Place for Your Car
The Tire Shop
Runner Up: Osborne’s Tire & Automotive

Best Home/Office Service Provider
Snyder’s Cleaning Service
Runner Up: Justin Draughn Construction, LLC

Best Place to Work
Rescue House
Runner Up: Davie County Schools

Best Healthcare Provider
WFBH – Davie Medical Center
Runner Up: Mocksville Family Dentistry

Wonder Woman: Julie Miller – Rescue House

Superman: Jon Welborn – Welborn Law Firm, PLLC

Please join us in congratulating all of the award winners and thanking them for all they do to make Davie County a great community for us all!

For over 49 years the Davie Chamber has served the business community throughout Davie County and the towns of Mocksville, Bermuda Run, and Cooleemee. With professional staff, dedicated volunteers and an involved board of directors, the Davie Chamber continues to promote the economic and civic interests and provide leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in Davie County.  For information about the Davie Chamber please contact chamber@daviecounty.com or call 336.751.3304.