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Area’s Best Honored at Chamber’s 25th Small Business Awards Gala
25th Small Business Awards Celebration showcases top small businesses, non-profit organizations, young professional of the year and executive leadership award
Honoring the best small businesses in the community, the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County held its annual tribute to the area’s small businesses Tuesday, Aug. 31 at the Von Braun Center. The sold-out event, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, featured a record 98 contenders among nearly 500 nominees. Among those 98 contenders, 18 finalists were selected in the six different categories before the winners were announced.
Chamber Board Chair Don Nalley said the 25th annual celebration showcased the continued vibrancy of the local economy with a record number of nominations and contenders.
“The success of small businesses in the community is the foundation for a healthy economy,” Nalley said. “The vital signs of any community’s economic health are intrinsically tied to the overall success of our small business community. More than 95 percent of this chamber’s member organizations employ 350 or less workers.”
One of the night’s highlights was the honoring of Russell Brown, the former business and community leader who was the first recipient of the Chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 1986. Brown, who passed away earlier this year, was honored in a video shown at the ceremony where other community leaders praised his leadership and vision. Brown’s long-time friend Bob Ludwig, published of The Huntsville Times, made a presentation to Brown’s wife Shirley and their family at the ceremony.
“Twenty-five years ago, the first recipient of this award was a man whose presence, leadership and respect inspired a generation of new leaders in this. His grace and dignity in the face of many adversities, his calm assurance in a storm and his thoughtful leadership led to Russell Brown being named the first Executive of the Year.
“During the past year, our community lost one of our most precious assets, one of our valued leaders and greatest visionaries when Russ passed away. He positively impacted so many people in his life. He was a great listener, a great problem-solver and above all, a great friend. We will feel this loss for years to come,” Ludwig said.
The former Entrepreneur of the Year Award was renamed the Russell Brown Executive Leadership Award in memory of his contributions to the community.
2010 Small Business Award Finalists and Winners
Government Services
Sigmatech, Inc. - WINNER
Aranea Solutions
Kaya Associates, Inc.
Professional Services
Appleton Learning - WINNER
Cyn Shea’s Complete Catering
Terrame Day Spa & Salon
Technology Services
deciBel Research, Inc. - WINNER
Bevilacqua Research Corporation
GATR Technologies
Non-Profit
Huntsville Madison County Botanical Garden - WINNER
Choose Life of North Alabama, Inc.
Junior Achievement of North Alabama
Young Professional of the Year
Charlie Wilson – Digium - WINNER
Beth Martin – Worthington Federal Bank
Glenn Clayton – Appleton Learning
Russell Brown Executive Leadership Award
Rey Almodóvar – Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation - WINNER
Jonn Kim – GAN Corporation
Janine Nesin – Nesin Therapy
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This is an event held yearly to spotlight our local entrepreneurs for their outstanding accomplishments as small business leaders. The awards currently have seven categories and are attended by over 1,100 community leaders, small business owners and dignitaries.
Each roundtable offers a forum in which CEOs, presidents, owners and organizational leaders can obtain valuable insights into each others’ successes and achievements, and learn how to avoid the pitfalls of past mistakes. In addition, the Chamber holds bi-annual receptions where current and future members come together for a networking opportunity. This group is for Chamber members only.
This event allows small businesses to come together in one location to showcase to the community their products and services. This is one of the Chamber’s best attended events, typically drawing over 1,000 participants.
This venue offers a networking opportunity for small business owners and large business representatives in a relaxed, professional atmosphere. BAH’s are usually held 6 to 8 times per year from 5-7 p.m.
These events are an excellent way to network in an intimate, structured environment. Individuals are placed in groups of eight and are given one minute to share with the group their organization’s benefits and services. Tables rotate six times during the event giving individuals a tremendous amount of exposure in a short period of time. These events are held quarterly and run from 7-9 a.m.
This program offers members an opportunity to volunteer to serve as a Chamber representative at events such as our Business After Hours, ribbon cuttings, etc. It also allows individuals to broaden their networking opportunities and business relationships.
This program is geared toward our more seasoned volunteers, having been involved actively with the Chamber for at least one year. The primary focus is to serve as a liaison between the member companies and the Chamber. They advise and educate on Chamber activities and provide feedback for improvement.