WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The Robins Regional Chamber celebrated a monumental year for the organization, while honoring local businesses and leaders at its annual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7.
Featuring a vast array of guest speakers, live music, appearances from Santa Claus and Frozen’s Anna and Elsa, and a full spread of breakfast, coffee and hot chocolate, the chamber tied into the holiday season with a festive atmosphere. The sold-out gathering involved over 500 members of the business community.
During the award ceremony, the chamber took time to honor businesses and leaders making an impact in the community.
On the business side, Middle Georgia Luxury Transportation and La’Vino Wine Bar took the chamber’s Emerging Business Awards. Acres and Oak Kitchen won Small Business of the Year, while Credence Management Solutions received Business of the Year.
Brandon and Kelly Cox, owners of Another Broken Egg Café, won the Community Impact Award. Steve Rigby and his family, of Rigby’s Entertainment Complex, secured the Robins Leads Award. Dan Rhodes, COO of 21st Century Partnership, received the Chamber Champion Award. Dr. Ivan Allen, President of Central Georgia Technical College, took home the Innovative Pioneer award.
For the Outstanding Citizen Award, honors went to Margaret Flowers, founder of Genesis Joy House. Houston County Superior Court Clerk Carolyn Sullivan took the Sherill Stafford Government Service Award for over 50 years of service to the county.
The crowd waited in anticipation for the Charlie L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award, described as “the highest individual honor.” A brief video played before the winner was announced, with remarks from former Houston County Board of Commissioners Chair Ned Sanders and Perry Mayor Randall Walker.
“This award that he’s receiving [today] is certainly justified and well-earned,” Sanders said in the video.
The award ultimately went to Centerville Mayor John Harley. Harley moved to Houston County after serving 34 years in the Air Force, owned an antique mall for eight years and worked as Centerville’s City Administrator. Harley was elected mayor in 2009 and has stayed in that role ever since.
Harley told The Journal he didn’t know he would receive the award and was surprised at the meeting.
“I just feel so humbled that they think that much of me. That’s such a heartfelt feeling,” Harley said.
Although Harley’s name is on the trophy, he acknowledges his family’s support and the team he leads.
“It’s all a team. You can’t do anything by yourself,” Harley said.
Additionally, the chamber celebrated Robins Rockstar award winners and the Robins Leads Class of 2023. Outgoing Board Chair Sara Murph passed the gavel to Michael Collins, CEO of Total Computer Solutions.
2024 will mark the chamber’s 75th diamond anniversary; Robins Regional Chamber President/CEO April Bragg made connections between the precious gemstone and the chamber at the meeting.
“As the hardest mineral in existence, a diamond is highly regarded for its beauty and ability to reflect light in an extremely dazzling way,” Bragg said. “Diamonds display brilliance and fire and I think it’s more appropriate to draw the parallel that your chamber has served as a reflection of the brilliance and fire of our bright, vibrant community for 75 years,”
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