Small Business Leader of the Year

In recognition of the outstanding achievements and contributions of our local small business owners, the Chamber annually recognizes three finalists and a winner for the Small Business Leader of the Year.  This award, given during the Chamber's Small Business Awards event, recognizes an individual who has not only demonstrated successful operation of his or her business, but who also has made significant contributions to the community and shown business leadership.  The Chamber first recognized a Small Business Leader of the Year in 1985.

Small business is a major force in our local economy and contributes to the growth and vitality of Pitt County.  Small businesses create jobs, spark innovation and provide opportunities for many people to achieve success and independence.

Presented by:

Nominee Criteria:

  • Must be a member in good standing of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.
  • Business must have less than fifty (50) employees.
  • Must be established locally in same business for at least five (5) years.
  • Must be an owner, partner, or major shareholder of the business and active in its day-to-day management.
  • Participates in community affairs and activities contributing time, effort, and resources.
  • Must demonstrate exemplary business practices, including the use of quality products and/or services.
  • Significant business achievements; industry awards, public recognition, other achievement or recommendations.

Past Small Business Leader of the Year Recipients

1985 - Leslie H. Garner - Garner Wholesale

1986 - Parker Overton, Jr. - Overton's Inc.

1987 - Durwald Harris - Harris Supermarkets

1988 - Richard R. Miller - R.R. Miller Construction, Inc.

1989 - Edgar D. Murphrey, Jr.  - CopyPro, Inc.

1990 - Donald J. Edwards - University Book Exchange

1991 - Kelly Barnhill - Hendrix Barnhill Co., Inc.

1992 - Linda Thompson - Hanks Homemade Ice Cream

1993 - Bobby R. Boyd - Boyd Associates, Inc.

1994 - Mike Aldridge - Aldridge & Southerland Realtors

1995 - Patricia W. Schmidt - Brookcliff Publishers

1996 - Mark & Carol Anter - Little Caesars Pizza

1997 - Janet Carpenter - CPA/PFS, CFP

1998 - Susan Daughtry - Greenville Times

1999 - Connie Corey - First Choice Properties

2000 - Kathy Deal - FIT Weight Control Systems

2001 - Henry Hinton - Inner Banks Media, LLC

2002 - Jehu Taff - Taff Office Equipment

2003 - Lorie Stox - Pizzaz

2004 - Phil Flowers - Rock Springs Center

2005 - Emily Coffman - Faulkner & Associates Advertising | Richard R. Cox - Richard R. Cox, CPA

2006 - Mary Parsons - Parsons & Robinson Insurance

2007 - Linda Tripp - Carolina Court Reporters, Inc.

2008 - Will Daugherty - Evolve, Inc.

2009 - Bryant Kittrel & Stan Armstrong - Kittrell & Armstrong, LLC

2010 - Jenni Kolczynski - Jenni K. Handcrafted Jewelry

2011 - Polly Piland - State Farm Insurance

2012 - Lawrence Behr - LBA Group, Inc.

2013 - Bennie Hardy & Kim Braxton - Page & Smith, P.A.

2014 - Brian Churney & Tim Kirian - TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

2015 - Billy Ray Smith, MD - Eastern Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

2016 - Matthew Scully - The Scullery Coffeehouse and Creamery

2017 - Ashley-Nicole Russell - The Law Offices of Ashley-Nicole Russell, P.A.

2018 - Kevin & Jennifer Youngs - Youngs Physical Therapy & Sports Performance

2019 - Ileana Rojas Bennett - Maleku Jewelry

2020 - Greg Green - Great Harvest Bread Company

2021 - Susan Bucci - Painted Peacock Company

2022/2023 - Chris Loignon - Fleet Feet Greenville NC

2024 - Greg Lassiter - Champions Health & Fitness Center

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