FREDERICKSBURG – The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce was pleased to award local businesses for their successes, entrepreneurial spirit, and community commitment at the 32nd Annual Awards & Gala held Friday, April 28th at the Fredericksburg Expo and Convention Center. With nearly 550 people in attendance, the night was a massive success.

 Joseph L. Argenzio Award

 Stacy Horne and Eric Fletcher won the Joeseph L. Argenzio award. This award recognizes a volunteer who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in extraordinary service to the Chamber.

Stacy Horne (Horne Real Estate Investments) was chair of the Chamber board of directors when the pandemic hit in early 2020. Stacy stood ready while the Chamber team figured out how to succeed when the Chamber’s business model was completely disrupted. Stacy was available to Chamber staff for any task, large or small, as the team reinvented how to provide value to members during a volatile time.

Eric Fletcher (Mary Washington Healthcare) was vice chair of the Chamber board of directors when the pandemic hit in early 2020, and he served as chairman of the board in 2021 and 2022. He was a source of information for rules and standards about COVID, often during times of great uncertainty. Eric led strategic board discussions that helped guide the Chamber staff beyond the status quo to the next level with workforce support and regional initiatives.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Priscilla Priebe with Tulip Salon & Spa received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Priscilla is a business leader that started from ground zero 13 years ago. Under her leadership, and with her vision for excellence, the company has been ranked in the top 200 in their industry in North America for 10 years running. Her company has been nationally recognized for its stellar education and training program, its competitive compensation and benefits, and for its marketing and growth strategies.

She expanded her operations and moved to a larger facility in 2020. Because she provides ample mentorship and training she has a loyal team that was once a team of 6 and today is a team of 30.

Small Businesses of the Year Award

Amy Cherry Taylor and Associates received the Small Business of the Year Award. This is a top-ranked company in the region as well as within the Commonwealth of Virginia. This all-women team of dedicated employees is highly educated and trained in their industry.

Amy has invested in an innovative leadership approach to education. She notes that by working with one of the best coaches in the industry 2-3 times per week, their all-star team is “second to none.”

The business has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Agents and they have been named a Top Agent and Top Team in the Northern Virginia Magazine and the Washingtonian Magazine, along with being voted “Best in the Burg” here in the Fredericksburg region.

Medium Businesses of the Year Award

RPI Group, Inc received the Medium Sized Business of the Year Award. This year’s recipient boasts over 21 years of experience supporting the Department of Defense. The company holds ongoing contracts with the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

As part of their support of our nation’s military, this company helps to secure our defense infrastructure. They have developed and implemented solutions to enable connectivity of highly vulnerable operational technology to the Marine Corps enterprise network. Their Advance OT solution empowers the Public Works Division of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, making all systems accessible by USMC customers.

The Marine Corps recently approached this company with a challenge that no one else could solve despite nine years and millions of dollars spent trying. An engineered solution that was cost-effective, improved resiliency, and ensured mission readiness of the base – and the warfighters living and training there – was found in only 18 months.

This commitment has led to Best Workplace Awards three times from Inc. Magazine in the annual ranking for fast-growing private companies. Additionally Inc. Magazine has included this company 4 times in the Top 5,000 fastest-growing company’s category.

Large Businesses of the Year Award

Rappahannock Goodwill received the Large Business of the Year award. This company works within the retail, workforce development and creation, environmental responsibility and financial assistance realm. Rappahannock Goodwill have been serving the Fredericksburg region for nearly 60 years; committed to helping individuals on the journey to a new career and impacting many lives.

The operation includes 14 stores, donation centers, job help centers, recycling programs and custodial services for the FBI Academy at Quantico. The revenue generated from business operations is reinvested into the programming and services, enabling the organization to accomplish its mission of helping people in our community find jobs.

Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award

Dr. Marceline Catlett won the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award, which honors an individual who has provided lengthy service and commitment to the Fredericksburg region. The award is named for the former Mary Washington College president whose, vision, integrity and dedication to serving others made him a pillar in the community.

Marci began her career in 1981 at Walker Grant Middle School where she worked as a sixth grade teacher. She moved into school administration in 1990, navigating multiple positions ranging from Director of Curriculum and Instruction to Deputy Superintendent. In 2019 she became the first African American superintendent of Fredericksburg City Public Schools.

For the duration of this admirable career in her hometown, this local leader dedicated herself to lifelong learning and lifelong community engagement. She earned Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Virginia. After earning Postgraduate Certificates from VCU, Oxford University, Harvard University, and Howard University, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

At the same time that she was raising her son with her husband, working, and earning advanced degrees, she served on many boards, committees, and task forces throughout the region. Those have included but are not limited to Smart beginnings, Mary Washington Healthcare, UMW’s Community Advisory Committee on Diversity, the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Washington Area, the Rappahannock Area American Red Cross, and of course the Chamber’s Workforce NOW.

Marci has said that the strength and resilience of our children gives her the most hope for the future. They continuously drive her passion and enthusiasm for education and give her hope for an even better tomorrow.

For pictures of this event visit our website HERE

The Chamber thanks the sponsors of the 32nd Annual Awards & Gala

Title Sponsor- Mary Washington Health Care

Tour Stafford, Virginia

Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center

Community Bank of the Chesapeake

Truist

Atlantic Builders

Matern Staffing

Zoe Freedom Center

Germanna Community College

Chris Vomund-State Farm

Virginia Partners Bank

Tru by Hilton, Thornburg

Tulip Salon and Spa

Embrace Home Loans

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative

Topside Federal Credit Union

CIP Finishes

Obsidian Solutions Group

Rappahannock IT

Fredericksburg City Public Schools

Effectv

CTI Real Estate

Focus Group Solutions

Found & Sons Funeral Chapel & Cremation Service

Malawi’s Pizza

Discover Next Step

Brooke Miller Real Estate

Bloomia

The Icing Baking Company

Fraser Wood Elements

Ignite Cinemas

Luminuss Productions

A & B Creative Events

Larry Stone Photography

City Vino