Chamber celebrates leaders at annual Pinnacle awards

It was an evening to remember as Robins Regional Chamber celebrated 70 years during its annual Pinnacle Awards affair, Thursday. This year’s elite event was held at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base. 

Prior to the announcements of award nominees and recipients, there was a “Passing of the Gavel” enactment wherein Past-Chair Gary Garrard officially announced Chairman Jay Flesher as his successor. “I couldn’t be more excited to pass this off just because of who I’m passing it off to,” Garrard said. “There’s nobody better to take this organization on as Chairman in my opinion. I strongly believe that, and I’m thankful to him for accepting this. I can truly say that I think the Chamber is better than when I came here, and that’s because I stayed out of the way. This is a staff that will do their jobs,” Garrard stated. “They’re wonderful, and he [Flesher] is the guy to take them to the next level. I want you all to join me in welcoming Jay to the stage.”

After accepting the gavel, Flesher responded by saying, “I’m honored to be here, and I’m honored to represent the Chamber. I’m honored to represent Flint Energies and my family, and I look forward to where we’re going. We have a great staff. It’s exciting. Truly exciting.”

As Flesher was joined by his co-host for the evening, Robins Regional Chamber President & CEO April Bragg, he went on to say, “Tonight we have the privilege of honoring many outstanding businesses and individuals who have made a tremendous impact on our community over the past year. We want to pay tribute to our longstanding businesses who shape the very foundation of our business community.”

“That’s right, Jay,” Bragg agreed. “And we also want to thank our sponsors for helping us present such a wonderful event.” She went on to recognize Cox Communications for serving as a sponsor since the inception of the award presentations. Other sponsors named were Spherion Staffing Services, Griggers Wealth Management, SunMark Community Bank, Gold Key Realty, Hughston Homes Marketing and The Balletto Team (TBT). Additionally, Bragg thanked Robins Air Force for the use of the venue and The Butcher Shop for providing the food.

“Let’s take just a few moments to talk about what’s going on in the Chamber,” Flesher said. “Among our strategic priorities are organizational performance, advocacy, membership development, membership engagement and communication, talent retention and leadership development.”

Bragg added, “In all that we do, the Chamber serves as a catalyst for business growth, and advocating the needs of the business community will continue to be a top priority for us at the local, state, and even federal level.”

“A special program we added this year is our Legacy Circle,” Flesher said. “While this year marks our 70th anniversary, our ability to promote an environment conducive to business growth is due in part by our longstanding members. In preparing for this recognition, we were pleasantly surprised at just how many businesses have operated in our community for 50 years or more.”

“We have nearly 20 members in our organization who have been around that long and another dozen or so who are not actively engaged with us,” Bragg announced. “Tonight, we will induct those members into our Legacy Circle, and for many of them this recognition is long overdue.”

The bestowment of the 2020 awards for the evening began with a special presentation from Colonel Brian Moore and Brigadier General John Kubinec of Robins Air Force Base.

As the spokesperson, Kubinec said, “When you see on the water towers where it says, ‘Every day in Middle Georgia is Armed Forces Appreciation Day,’ it doesn’t happen without people like y’all. It doesn’t happen without elected officials, Mr. Chairman, commissioners; the mayor. When I think about every day in middle Georgia being Armed Forces Appreciation Day, I think about the Chamber and the members of the Chamber. That’s really the foundation,” Kubinec stressed. “You all are what make every day in middle Georgia Armed Forces Appreciation Day, and I just want to thank y’all on behalf of the men and women at Robins [Air Force Base].”

Kubinec went on to express how interesting it was to see the Passing of the Gavel demonstration that had taken place a little earlier in the evening. He mentioned that many military-based changes of command had taken place on the same stage. His and Moore’s presentation was not listed as a part of the agenda on the printed program, so Kubinec’s next words seemed unexpected by most, including the person he was about to honor.

“It was really interesting to watch y’all’s change of command,” Kubinec stated, “but you might’ve done something wrong. It might have been a mistake. We may need to have a recall and have Gary [Garrard] to come back on the stage.” He paused momentarily and when there was no movement, he looked at Garrard who was sitting on the front row in the audience and said, “No, I’m serious; come back on the stage. That’s an order,” he added, bringing laughter from the audience.

As Garrard joined Kubinec and Moore on the stage, Kubinec said, “We have a term in the Air Force. It’s called wingman. A wingman is when you climb in formation and have an aircraft on your wing,” he explained. “You’re never alone. There’s always someone that’s there taking care of you, that’s looking out for you; that’s making sure your best interest is being met. I can think of no better person who personifies wingman than Gary Garrard,” Kubinec expressed. “On behalf of the men and women of Robins Air Force Base, I just want to thank you for your service to us, thank you for your service as Chairman of the Chamber for 18 months, for all you did for our air show, and more than that, for all you do for our men and women each and every day. For the attitude that you have and for the example you’ve set for this community, we want to give you a small token of appreciation and just say thank you.”

Robins Regional Chamber’s Chief Operating Officer Aura Lee Durham then took the stage to speak on the Leadership Robins Region program and to present the Dr. Dan Callahan Outstanding Leader Award. This award is named in honor of Dr. Dan Callahan who was a longtime resident of the Robins Region who lived the credo: service before self. Dr. Dan embodied the characteristics of outstanding community leadership. The recipient of this year’s Dr. Dan Callahan Leadership Award was Gracie Rigby of Rigby’s Entertainment Complex. She received the honor in recognition for her dedication to her vocation and the community in a way that underscores her commitment to both the growth and success of our region. This includes Rigby’s successful efforts to save the Warner Robins Christmas Parade.

The award that followed was the A.C. “Dick” Walden Chamber Champion Award, which was presented by 2019 Chamber Chairman, Gary Garrard. This recognition is named in memory of Walden, who served 16 years as president and executive director of the Robins Regional Chamber and is awarded annually to an individual for their contributions to the Chamber. This year’s recipient was Jeremey Bennett of Parrish Construction Group, who the Chamber credits with playing a key role in their extreme Chamber makeover. “He took an eyesore and turned it into a beautiful building,” Garrard said. Bennett is relatively new to the Chamber board (2019) but didn’t hesitate to offer his expertise and support as well as the heavy-lifting power of Parish Construction Group. Bennett was described as one who truly embodies the spirit of the award.

Garrard remained on stage to give the next award of which he stated, “I’m so honored to be the one to present this.” Historically, the Sherill Stafford Good Government Award (named in memory of the former Houston County Commission Chairman and former Mayor of the City of Centerville) is presented to the community’s most outstanding elected or appointed official or employee of a governmental agency. It is to recognize exception service in the performance of duty. “I get to get you back,” Garrard said as he announced Brigadier General John Kubinec as this year’s recipient. Among many other responsibilities and achievements, Kubinec leads a workforce of more than 7,200 military and civilian personnel performing programmed depot maintenance and modification on the F-15, C-130, C-5, C-17 and special operations forces aircraft plus some workload on Global Hawk. He championed collaboration efforts with Central Georgia Technical College and Macon-Bibb Industrial Authority to establish the Aviation Workforce

Development Center at the old Boeing facility. “We’d be here all night if we tried to name everything he’s done to deserve this award,” Garrard noted.

The Charlie L. Jones Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest citizenship honor that the Chamber presents each year. It is awarded to the community’s most outstanding citizen for sustained and superior service that has spanned a significant number of years and may involve a combination of business, civic, governmental, cultural, and/or religious activities. Houston County Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker presented the award, and this year, there were two recipients—Larry Thomson and Tom McMichael—both of whom are county commissioners. Thomson is a businessman and has done commercial and residential development. He’s served on many boards including bank and church and worked six year for Houston County as its Building Inspector and Chief Building Inspector. For eight years, Thomson also served on the Houston County Board of Elections and served as chairman as well as liaison on the Houston County Library Board. For two decades he has held a county-wide elected position. McMichael was hailed by Stalnaker as “one of the most servant-minded people you would ever want to meet.” He has served on several boards including the Houston County Planning and Zoning Board, bank boards, church boards, civic organization boards, Robins Chamber Board, POST Council, President of ACCG and many more. For 23 years, McMichael has held a county-wide elected position. Stalnaker described both recipients as “my friends and your friends,” and as “the epitome of elected officials.”

“Previously known as the Edward Bayer Robins Regional Chamber Employee of the Year Award,” presenter, Nicole Crofutt (Spherion Staffing of Middle Georgia) said, “the People’s Choice Rockstar of the Year Award is about the people in business who make our days a little brighter or an experience a little more enjoyable. They are passionate about their work, and they love the Robins Region.” Ed Bayer, for whom the award was originally named, believed in putting people first, investing in his employees, and empowering them to do great work. The individuals named as nominees in this category were chosen by their employers, customers, patients and friends, and the public was asked to vote for their favorite rockstar. The nominees were: Hannah Branham (Coldwell Banker Free Realty), Chelsea Dozier (Ashley’s Business Solutions), Matt Evans (M&R Marketing), Amber Gross (Visiting Angels), Clayton Guthrie (OrthoGeorgia), JaMelle Hill (Central GA Technical College), Tanner Hughes (Museum of Aviation Foundation), Mandy Stella (City of Warner Robins), and Peter Tran (Houston Healthcare). After a record 6,947 votes, the winner by majority votes was Peter Tran.

The Business Excellence Awards began with the newly added Legacy Circle Awards, which were presented by past Chamber Chairmen Eddie Wiggins and Kathy Balletto. These awards were bestowed upon Chamber member businesses that have served the community for 50 or more years. The award recipients and their founding years are as follows: Houston Home Journal (1870), Georgia Power (1902), McCullough Funeral Home (1945), Warner Robins Building Supply (1947), Flint Energies (1949), Robins Financial Credit Union (1954), Houston Healthcare (1957), Meadowdale Early Learning (1957) Forget Me Not Florist (1959), Greenway Insurance (1960), Strato Cleaners (1960), Warner Robins Little Theatre (1962), Davis Printing (1965), Walker, Hulbert, Gray & Moore LLP (1965), Houston Lake Country Club (1966), Cornerstone Medical (1968), McNeal Agency (1968), Warner Robins Towing & Wrecking Service (1969), Academy of Dance (1970) and West Plumbing (1970).

The Business Excellence Awards recognize achievements and business success in the community and were presented by Chamber President & CEO April Bragg. Thanks to the support of sponsor, Cox Communications and the outstanding businesses nominated for the awards, six worthy businesses were recognized for outstanding staying power, commitment to local economy, sustainability, business integrity, adaption, response to challenges, community contribution, and leadership.

The Business Excellence Award for Staying Power and Response to Challenges was awarded to Houston County Galleria for 25 years in Houston County and an average of 2.4 million visits in a single year. The Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to Community was presented to Rigby’s Entertainment Complex for jumping in to take over the reins of the Warner Robins Parade. The Rising Star – Emerging Business Award was presented to two businesses this year: Against The Grain Designs for their inspiration, creativity, and empowerment and Float Robins for the unique quality-of-life services that they offer to the community in the form of four different types of therapy: float therapy, infrared sauna, massage, and halotherapy.

Donna Shaheen Kiefer, the daughter of the award’s namesakes, presented the Charles K and Barbara Shaheen Small Business of the Year Award. This honor is bestowed on a business with 40 or less employees who is a member in good standing with the Chamber, demonstrates growth in sales, product lines, or staff; has innovative initiatives, is considered successful by peers, shows evidence of outstanding community services contribution or involvement and is a privately-owned, for-profit entity. For being a staple business in the community for 20 years, forming lifetime relationships with customers, and flourishing, in the past three years, to increase sales over 20% despite having dealt with adversity, the recipient of this year’s award was Satterfield & Dempsey Jewelers.

The final award of the evening—the Business of the Year Award—has the same criteria as the Small Business Award but is specific for businesses with more than 40 employees. Honored with this award was Advanced Project Consulting (APC) for distinguishing itself from other companies of similar size and mission. Among other outstanding things, APC has been in business for 10 years, has awarded $4,000 of STEM scholarships annually, and has been included on Inc Magazine’s list of top 5,000 fastest growing private companies for four consecutive years. A second APC facility is schedule to open in 2020.