Business Leaders Honored by Chamber

The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce Holiday Business Awards were a mixture of fun, tradition and respect as local business leaders were honored for serving their community.

About 100 people turned out for the dinner Friday night which was held at the Mount Vernon Country Club.  Attendees said it was a great opportunity to network and support each other, but it was also about recognizing how local businesses support the community they're based in.

"What you have to remember is most of the people who own small businesses in the community also live in this community and they're members of the civic associations and their children go to the local schools," said Doug Jones, owner of Rent-All Center.

Jones said events like Friday night's dinner highlight how businesses are a part of their neighborhoods and not something separate.

"We're involved on many levels; there's certainly not a dichotomy between the local community and the business community," Jones said.

Four awards were given out Friday night.  Twin Contracting Corporation was named the Best Large Business of 2010.  United States Homeland Investigations Inc. was named Best Small Business and the Best New Business of 2010 honor went to Baywood Hotels.  Jeff Todd who owns three Roy Rogers Family Restaurants and is very involved in non-profit organizations throughout Mount Vernon was named "Chamber Citizen" of 2010.

Executive Director of the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce Holly Dougherty said this community is really exceptional when it comes to local businesses.

"We have so many wonderful businesses in our area that really contribute to the quality of life that we all enjoy and tonight is an opportunity to recognize three of them," Dougherty said.

There was a lot of fun to be had at Friday night's dinner. Aside from the festive holiday decorations, food and music, there was also a traditional gift swap.  Chamber members who brought a gift were allowed to swap it for another up to three times before time was called and guests were stuck with what they had in front of them.  Another game offered a brand new Kindle as the grand prize.

Members of the Chamber say Friday's event was as much about supporting the businesses who work for the community than anything else.

"That's what it's all about, that's how we strengthen our community.  Each sector knows that they're an important contributing part of the community and this is an opportunity for the businesses to be recognized for their contributions, said Dougherty.