Event Focuses on Talent Development and Excellence in Business
Blairs, Va. (May 7, 2019) – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner was held on Monday, May 6, at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (150 Slayton Ave., Danville). The Chamber recognized three Young Professionals PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) Award winners as well as this year’s Leadership Southside graduates. Averett University, in partnership with the Chamber, recognized the 2018-19 Educators of the Year. Also honored were two outstanding businesses with the Pinnacle and Pinnacle Small Business awards.
Three young professionals were honored as PACE award winners. The Chamber created the Professional and Community Engagement Awards to showcase exceptional young professionals in the Dan River Region. This year’s winners were Moriah Davis, Danville Science Center; Porchia Russell, Danville Public Schools; and Travis Tarpley, Danville Family YMCA/Vintage Duck Brand.
Leadership Southside, a leadership cohort for outstanding local professionals, emphasizes leadership styles, team building, transformational leadership, problem solving, facilitation, and effective communication. Eighteen professionals graduated from Leadership Southside XXIV:
- Linsey Boerrigter, Grantham House
- Ryan Dodson, City of Danville
- Jeffrey Gignac, American National Bank and Trust Company
- Michael Gobble, Danville Fire Department
- Dominick Grembi, Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
- Nicole Lewis, Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
- Tracy Mallard, Noblis
- Danny Miller, Averett University
- Steven Osborne, Adams and Fisk, PLC
- Traci Petty, United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County
- Brenda Robertson, Pittsylvania County
- Amanda Schlicting, Dewberry
- Emily Scruggs, Blair Homes, LLC
- Vincent Shorter, Pittsylvania County
- Laura Singleton, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Samantha Smith-Herndon, Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
- Emma Staats, Danville Family Vet
- Kim Tatum, Danville Family YMCA
This year 39 teachers were recognized as winners from their schools, and three were selected from that pool each to receive a $2,500 stipend, generously sponsored by Danville Regional Foundation. The winners were Elizabeth Bennett, Park Avenue Elementary School; Tara Stafford, Dan River Middle School; and Debra Wilson, Danville Alternative Program.
This year the Chamber Board created the Pinnacle Small Business Award, which recognizes excellence in businesses with fewer than 25 employees. The winner is distinguished as a small business or organization that contributes to the economic vitality and quality of life in the region through innovative, ethical business practices, professionalism and strong community involvement. It is the highest honor awarded to a small business by the Chamber, and this year was awarded to Danville Family Vet.
Danville Family Vet was founded 22 years ago, and in the last year alone has achieved the highest levels of accreditation in their field, provided the community with a new, state-of-the-art facility, created 10 new jobs, and above all, has developed a genuine connection with the community. Danville Family Vet is an established small business that has a proven track record of integrity, service and organizational excellence.
The Chamber’s Board created the Pinnacle Award in 2011 to recognize a business or organization whose outstanding achievements serve as a model for success. It is the highest honor awarded to a business by the Chamber, and this year was awarded to First Piedmont Corporation.
This year First Piedmont is celebrating its 50th year, now employing over 150 in the region and more than 100 locally. Seven years ago the company made a nearly $3M financial investment in our local environment by building a Compressed Natural Gas fueling station on 58 East and acquiring trucks that use the clean fuel. Over 10% of their fleet is fueled by CNG, and each diesel truck replaced is the equivalent in emissions reduction of taking over 300 gasoline-burning cars off the road.
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its members to dynamic resources and networks. The Chamber’s number one goal is to help area businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper.
