Chamber awards
The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce handed out these awards at Thursday’s luncheon:
- Silver Shovel: Mike Allen, Georgia Trust Bank; Benny Bagwell, Jackson EMC; Bev Ann Bonds, Business Support Solutions; Gail Detraz, NEGA Surgical Associates; Scott Dixon, Scott’s on the Square; Sean Johnsen, iCard Now; Joe Nation, Gainesville Sign & Graphics; Jody Nelson, Georgia Power; Candy Robinson, Riverside Military Academy; Phil Sutton, Hall County government; Carroll Turner, Lanier Tech Manufacturing Development Center; Erin Williamson, The Longstreet Clinic; Cindy Wilson, SunTrust
- Gold Shovel: LeTrell Simpson, CON-SENS-US; Frank Norton Jr., The Norton Agency
- Ambassador of the Year: Sherry Ridgeway, Capital Data Services
- Small Business of the Year: The Jaeger Co., Dale Jaeger
- Family Business of the Year: Simpson Trucking & Grading, James Simpson and family
- Community Service Award: The Syfan Family, Jim, Gloria, Greg and Steve
- WG Mealor Award/Chairman’s Choice: David Lee, Jackson EMC
The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce presented awards to its businesses of the year at the annual Board of Directors and Awards Meeting held Thursday at the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center.
The Jaeger Co. took home the award for Small Business of the Year. Simpson Trucking & Grading won Family Business of the Year.
Chamber President and CEO Kit Dunlap said the businesses were nominated by other members, then received the final selection from an executive committee.
"You can easily see why we selected them," Dunlap said. "Good folks that do a good job. You can’t beat it."
Dale Jaeger, founder of The Jaeger Co., said she was excited about the recognition.
"We’re very honored. We’ve been in the community for 25 years," Jaeger said.
The Jaeger Co. is a firm that incorporates landscape architecture, historic preservation and planning. The company has locations in Athens and Gainesville, with a total of 12 employees.
"We work a lot in cultural landscapes as well as natural landscapes," Jaeger said.
The Jaeger Co. primarily works in the public sector. Current projects include the Hall County Multi-Purpose Trail and streetscape projects for the cities of Oakwood and Gillsville.
Simpson Trucking & Grading is a family business spanning three generations. James Simpson said it is very important to him that his family stays involved.
"That’s my No. 1 thing," Simpson said. "I want my kids and grandkids to take the business on."
This year, one of Simpson Trucking & Grading’s main projects was the Laurel Park improvements.
"We try to do super nice work for everybody we work for and make it look the best we possibly can," Simpson said.
Dunlap said it is difficult to select just a few members to receive awards.
"It’s our way as a business organization to say thanks to these businesses for having their business in Gainesville-Hall County: paying taxes, giving good jobs and also giving back to the community," Dunlap said. "It’s also an overall thank you to our other companies. Yes, we select one, but there are so many that are worthy.