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Past Annual Meeting Award Winners

2023 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year – Sponsored by Carolina Cool – William “Bill” Sigmon Sr. (posthumously)
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by Island Vista – Tony Cox
Community Service – Sponsored by Merrill Lynch The Soto Sawyer Crosby Group – SkyWheel Myrtle Beach
Business Innovation – SOS Care
Nonprofit of the Year – Sponsored by South Atlantic Bank – Children’s Recovery Center 
Small Business of the Year –  Carolina Limousine & Coach
Champion of Diversity – Sponsored by TD Bank – Tiffany Hollis, Ph.D., Coastal Carolina University
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Truist – Lee Zulanch, Benjamin’s Bakery, Cafe and Coffee Roasters
Hospitality Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Best Western Ocean Sands Resort – Mohamed “Mo” Niyasdeen, Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes
Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Lee Zulanch, Benjamin’s Bakery, Cafe and Coffee Roasters
Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Katie Hole, KingOne Properties
LGS Ann DeBock Award - Billy Nichols

2022 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year – Sponsored by Carolina Cool – Larry Bragg (posthumously)
Community Service – Sponsored by Merrill – Tidelands Health
Business Innovation – EcoShield Asphalt Products
Nonprofit of the Year – Sponsored by WPDE ABC 15 – SOS Care 
Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by A&I Fire and Water Restoration – Real Hot Yoga
Champion of Diversity – Sponsored by TD Bank – Atiya Stokes-Brown, Ph.D., Coastal Carolina University
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Truist – Michael King, KingOne Properties International   
Hospitality Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Best Western Ocean Sands Resort – Jackie Alston, Garden City Realty
Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Sam Smith, Carolina Cool
Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Brandon Skipper, Southeastern Alliance Underwriters
LGS Ann DeBock Award - Tracy S. Bailey, Ph.D.
 

2021 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year – Sponsored by Carolina Cool – John Rhodes  (posthumously)
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by WPDE ABC 15 - Bennie J. Swans Jr. (posthumously)
Brad Dean Chairman’s Award of Excellence – Sponsored by Burr & Forman – Dr. David DeCenzo
Community Service – Sponsored by Maguire Law Firm – Children’s Recovery Center
Business Innovation & Resilience – The Brandon Agency
Nonprofit of the Year – Sponsored by The Jackson Companies – Habitat for Humanity of Horry County 
Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by A&I Fire and Water Restoration – Myrtle Beach State Park
Champion of Diversity – Sponsored by TD Bank - Mary “Cookie” Goings, Director of Neighborhood Services, City of Myrtle Beach, and founder of Beach Chats     
Entrepreneur of the Year – Darren deMaille, Best Golf Lessons Myrtle Beach   
Hospitality Employee of the Year – James Canty, Caribbean Resort and Villas
Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Philanthropist.com – Gina Trimarco, Sales Gravy
Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Amie Hayes, Restoration 1
LGS Ann DeBock Award - Ozell J. Newman

2020 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year – Sponsored by Carolina Cool - Myra Starnes
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by WPDE ABC 15 – Eddie Dyer
Citizen of the Year – Sponsored by WPDE ABC 15 – Herbert Riley Jr. (posthumously)
Community Service – Sponsored by Maguire Law Firm –  Santee Cooper
Business Innovation – KingOne Properties 
Nonprofit of the Year – Sponsored by The Jackson Companies – Ground Zero 
Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by A&I Fire and Water Restoration – Magnolia’s at 26th 
Champion of Diversity – Sponsored by TD Bank – SOS Care          
Entrepreneur of the Year – Layla Hartmann, Grace Revealed
Hospitality Employee of the Year – Rosalind Stacy, Thomas Beach Vacations
Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Philanthropist.com – Amie Hayes, Restoration 1
Chamber Ambassador of the Year – Larry Fudge, WTS-Waccamaw Telecommunication Systems
Grand Strand Young Professional of the Year – Samantha Huff, 21 Main Events at North Beach
Grand Strand Young Professionals' Ambassador of the Year – Olivia Elswick, Visibility & Conversions
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award – Mary Jo Rogers

2019 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Sponsored by WPDE ABC15 - Dan P. Gray (posthumously)
Citizen of the Year - Sponsored by Carolina Cool - Ed Piotrowski, WPDE ABC15
Champion of Diversity - Hector Diaz, Webster University Myrtle Beach
Community Service - Bank of America
Business Innovation - Sponsored by The Soto Sawyer Crosby Wealth Management Group of Merrill Lynch - Barefoot Landing 
Nonprofit of the Year - Sponsored by The Jackson Companies - A Father’s Place
Small Business of the Year - Sponsored by A&I Fire and Water Restoration - Dagwood’s Deli
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Sponsored by LuLu's North Myrtle Beach - Peter Goodman, WonderWorks Myrtle Beach
Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Sponsored by Wells Fargo - Eric Hunt, Myrtle Beach Wedding Officiant
Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Chae Evans, FSA - Full Steam Ahead Fire & Water Restoration
Grand Strand Young Professional of the Year - Abby Smith, Alabama Theatre 
Grand Strand Young Professionals' Ambassador of the Year - Kristen Saurini, Davis & Massey Insurance Agency
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Ian Maguire, Maguire Law Firm

2018 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Dr. Jim Graham, Coastal Recovery Center
Citizen of the Year - Mark Kelley, Kelley, McCain & Smith Owens LLC, and Tradd Commercial
Chairman's Award of Excellence - Terri DeCenzo, Women in Philanthropy and Leadership, Coastal Carolina University
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Colonel Howard D. Barnard III
Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Bobbei Ruswinckel, Pigtails & Crewcuts
Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Eileen Soisson, Coastal Carolina University
gsSCENE Young Professional of the Year - Trevor Greene, CINO Ventures
gsSCENE Ambassador of the Year - Kristyn Winch, Waccamaw Publishers
Hospitality Employee of the Year - John Glover, Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Champion of Diversity Individual Award - Dr. Adriel Hilton, Author/Educator
Champion of Diversity Business Award - Carolina Improv Company
Community Service Award - Carolina Cool Inc.
Business Innovation Award - Hook & Barrel
Small Business of the Year - Watermark Real Estate Group
Nonprofit of the Year - Champion Autism Network

2017 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year – Neyle Wilson, Horry Georgetown Technical College
Citizen of the Year – Mike Wooten, DDC Engineers Inc.
Chairman’s Award of Excellence – Coach Gary Gilmore, Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers Baseball
Ann DeBock Leadership Award – Carla Schuessler, Habitat for Humanity of Horry County                
Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Al Kipple, Three Ring Focus
Chamber Volunteer of the Year – Donald Hovis, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
gsSCENE Young Professional of the Year - Woody Goff, Children’s Museum of South Carolina
gsSCENE Ambassador of the Year – Casey Dornhecker, Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Isaac Collington Jr., Simply Southern Smokehouse
Champion of Diversity Individual - Tiffany Andrews, Myrtle Beach Convention Center
Champion of Diversity Business - Coastal Carolina University
Community Service Award - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Business Innovation Award – The Market Common
Nonprofit of the Year – Habitat for Humanity of Horry County               
Small Business of the Year – Three Ring Focus      

2016 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Mary Catherine Canty (posthumously)
Citizen of the Year - Grant Kuhn
Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Marjorie Thompson, Coastal Carolina University
Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Al Kipple, Three Ring Focus
Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Jamie Saunders, Johnny D's Waffles and Bakery
gsSCENE Young Professional of the Year - Todd Setzer, A&I Fire and Water Restoration
gsSCENE Ambassador of the Year - Tyson Blount, Century 21 Boling & Associates Inc.
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Carolyn Jones, Surfside Beach Oceanfront Resort, and Jennifer Rush, Compass Cove Oceanfront Resort
Community Service Award - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Business Innovation Award - The Be Well Coach
Nonprofit of the Year - Boys & Girls Club of the Grand Strand                
Small Business of the Year - Simply Southern Smokehouse      

2015 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Jack Lazarus
Citizen of the Year - Woodrow "Woody" Ford III, BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina
Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Sen. Greg Hembree
Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Al Kipple, Three Ring Focus
Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Kathy Foxworth Garrell, Katie's Project and Daniel Liberatore, Chick-fil-A Myrtle Beach Drive Thru
gsSCENE Young Professional of the Year - Bobbei Seay Ruswinckel, The Sun News and Carolina Comedy Club
gsSCENE Ambassador of the Year - Brent Lovell, break BIG entertainment, LLC
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Frankie Manning, Caribbean Resort & Villas
Community Service - Grand Strand Miracle Leagues
Business Innovation - Grand Strand Technology Council
Small Business of the Year - Careteam+

2014 Winners

Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Tom Pegram, Pegram Associates, Inc.
Citizen of the Year - Tom Leath, City of Myrtle Beach
Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Danny Isaac, Jr., A&I Fire and Water Restoration
Chamber Ambassador of the Year - Jackie Neal, AFLAC - Surfside Beach Office
Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Ellen Calhoun, WHCI Warren Harmon Commercial Interiors
gsSCENE Young Professional of the Year - Donald Hovis, Jr., Springmaid Beach Resort
gsSCENE Ambassador of the Year - Casey Church, Franklin G. Burroughs - Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Alton Bellamy, Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel
Community Service - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Business Innovation - South Atlantic Bank
Small Business of the Year - The Cooper House Event Center

2013 Annual Meeting

The January 2013 annual meeting and 75th Anniversary Celebration applauded member businesses that have served the community for 50 plus years. View Video

2012 Winners

Citizen of the Year- Scott Brandon, The Brandon Agency
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Jack Thompson, Myrtle Beach Photographer
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Ronald Bessant, The Original Benjamin's Calabash Seafood
Chamber Volunteer of the Year - Jeffrey Wisniewski, Arcadian Shores Golf Club
Ambassador of the Year - Rhett Fowler, Canterbury Apartment Homes
LGS Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Dr. Debbie Conner, Coastal Carolina University
Young Professional of the Year - John Sawyer, Conway National Bank
Community Service Award - Tie between The Bellamy Law Firm and South Atlantic Bank
Business Innovation Award - Carolina Backwoods ATV Adventure Tours
Operating Green Award - Lakewood Camping Resort
Small Business of the Year - Pool Services Corp.

2011 Winners

Citizen of the Year - Steve Chapman, Island Vista
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - David Brittain, Brittain Resort Management
Volunteer of the Year - Cindy Ott, Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Hospitality of the Year- Donna Hollingsworth, Springmaid Beach Resort
Ambassador of the Year - Abbey Brink, WFXB Fox 43 TV
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Barbara Blain-Olds
Young Professional of the Year - Julie Kopnicky, United Way of Horry County
Community Service Award - Fidelity Broadcasting - Easy Radio 105.9 and Movin 94.5
Business Innovation Award - Pool Services Corp.
Operating Green Award - Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk
Small Business of the Year - South Atlantic Bank

2010 Winners

Citizen of the Year - Danny Isaac
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year - Calvin Gilmore
Volunteer of the Year - Deanne Johnson
Young Professional of the Year - O'Neil McCoy
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Maggie Sullivan, Ocean Reef Resort
Community Service Award - Sheraton Broadway Plantation
Business Innovation Award - Agape Senior of the Grand Strand
Operating Green Award - Drunken Jack's/ Inlet Affairs
Small Business of the Year - Full Steam Ahead, Inc. Fire & Water Restoration
Ambassador of the Year - Marty Keene
Organization of Excellence - Coastal Carolina University
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award - William Pritchard
40 Years of Chamber Membership Recognition - Coca Cola Bottling Co.

2009 Winners

Young Professional of the Year – Jenifer SweatFSA-Full Steam Ahead Inc. Fire and Water Restoration
Community Service - Burroughs & Chapin Company
Business Innovation - Carolina Improv Company
Operating Green Award - Brookgreen Gardens
Small Business of the Year - Croissants Bistro & Bakery
Volunteer of the Year - Julie KopnickyUnited Way of Horry County
Chairman's Choice Awards - Santee Cooper
Citizen of the Year - Woody Crosby
Ashby Ward Pioneer Award - James Benton
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award - Greg Everett
Ambassador of the Year - Jenafor Braley
Hospitality Employee of the Year - Michele "Micki" SissonIsland Vista

2008 Winners

Hospitality Employee of the Year Rodney Grant, Springmaid Beach Resort
Young Professional of the Year Chris Butler, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Show
Community Service Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Business Innovation Croissants Bistro & Bakery
Business Image DDC Engineers Inc.
Small Business of the Year GS Magazine
Citizen of the Year Wayne Gray
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year Thomas "Tom" J. Rogers
Ambassador of the Year Jenafor Braley
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award David Brittain
Volunteer of the Year Shannon Camp

2007 Winners

Business Image Ripley's Aquarium
Business Innovation Classic Home Building and Design, Inc.
Small Business Target Media
Community Service Hall Custom Homes/Custom Classic Home Building & Design, Inc.
Hospitality Employee of the Year Sue Pariseau, Ripley's Boulevard Attractions
Ambassador of the Year Fidencia Pla, Keller Williams Realty
Volunteer of the Year Lyn Smith, Capt. Dick's Marina
Leadership Grand Strand's Ann DeBock Leadership Award Dennis Wade, The Jackson Companies
Citizen of the Year Greg Everett, Myrtle Beach Herald
Ashby Ward Pioneers of the Year Mary Emily and Nelson Jackson, The Jackson Companies

2006 Winners

Business Innovation Shredright Corp.
Community Service Sam's Club
Business Image Waccamaw Community Hospital
Small Business Shredright Corp.
Ambassador of the Year Annette Litteken, Avon independent sales representative
Volunteer of the Year Kermit "K2" Gibson, Sam's Club
Hospitality Employee of the Year Bryan Barnes, Springmaid Beach Resort
Citizen of the Year Dr. Gerrita Postlewait
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year Cecil Brandon Jr.

2005 Winners

Hospitality Employee Emma Grate, Dayton House Resort
Business Innovation Award World Tour Golf Links
Community Service Award Associated Insurors
Business Image Award Brookgreen Gardens
Small Business Award FastSigns
Ambassador of the Year Jenafor Braley
Volunteer of the Year Diane DeVaughn Stokes
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year Pioneer of the Year Clay Brittain Jr.

2004 Winners

Hospitality Employee Early Ayers, Ocean Park Resort
Business Innovation Award Benji's Bed & Breakfast
Community Service Award Grand Strand Humane Society
Business Image Award GS Magazine
Small Business Award The Cypress Inn
Ambassador of the Year Annette Litteken
Volunteer of the Year Doris Whiteley
Ashby Ward Pioneer of the Year Pioneer of the Year Zeb Thomas

2003 Winners

Hospitality Employee Eddie Williams, Hampton Inn
Business Innovation Award Waccamaw Community Hospital
Community Service Award Jackson Companies
Business Image Award Inlet Square Mall
Ambassador of the Year Ian Robinson

2002 Winners

Hospitality Employee Vernell Ramsey, Springmaid Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center
Business Innovation Award Strand Regional Specialty Associates
Community Service Award Citizens Against Spouse Abuse
Business Image Award Grand Strand Humane Society
Ambassador of the Year Annette Litteken

2001 Winners

Hospitality Employee Sandy Sloan, Hampton Inn-Broadway at the Beach
Business Innovation Award Santee Cooper
Community Service Award Crabby Mike's Seafood
Business Image Award Carolina Opry
Ambassador of the Year Heather Finley

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