GREENVILLE, NC (January 30, 2025) — The Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce recognized Parker Overton and Mark Phillips with two prestigious awards during its annual membership celebration on Thursday, January 30 at Rock Springs Center. Overton was honored with the chamber’s Legends Award, and Phillips was named the chamber’s 2024 Citizen of the Year.
Parker Overton is the founder and former CEO of Overton’s, the world’s largest catalog of watersports and boating supplies from 1975-2003. He has made a lasting impact on Eastern North Carolina through his business leadership and philanthropic efforts. He played a pivotal role in founding Metrics Pharmaceuticals (now Catalent), Select Bank & Trust, and Select Bancorp, contributing to the region’s economic growth. A dedicated supporter of both academics and athletics, Overton has made significant contributions to East Carolina University and Pitt Community College. His commitment to education and the community has earned him numerous honors, including the distinguished ECU Honorary Alumni Award, the Long Leaf Pine Award in 2019, and an Alumni Association Award from NC State University.
Overton joins a distinguished list of just eleven other individuals who have received the chamber’s Legends Award, which is only given on occasion. The award honors a citizen whose service to the community has been so significant over a sustained period that the history of Pitt County could not be written without their inclusion.
Mark Phillips is the Vice President of Statewide Operations with the North Carolina Biotechnology Center where he has played a pivotal role in positioning Greenville as a hub for biotechnology and life sciences, driving economic growth, education, and innovation. His involvement extends beyond his profession, with more than two decades of dedication to Greenville Little League, where he has assisted with facility enhancements and fundraising efforts that have helped expand the reach of the Little League Softball World Series. Through his leadership, he has helped strengthen connections between government, business, and academia, fostering collaboration and new opportunities for Pitt County and the eastern region.
Phillips is the fifty-seventh recipient of the chamber’s Citizen of the Year Award, presented annually to honor an individual who has contributed to the growth, stability and overall advancement of Greenville and Pitt County.
Additional awards presented during the celebration included the 2024 Ambassadors of the Year and Young Professional of the Year.
Craig and Lisa Marshall, owners of Nothing Bundt Cakes, were named the 2024 Ambassadors of the Year, as voted on by their peers in the chamber’s Ambassador Program. Chamber Ambassadors are a group of volunteers who function as a liaison between the chamber’s board, staff, and members. Craig and Lisa became ambassadors at the beginning of 2022 and are the fourteenth recipients of the award.
Sebastian Kressley, commercial real estate associate at Mullarkey Real Estate Group, Inc., was named the 2024 Young Professional of the Year. This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates dedication to not only the Young Professionals organization, but to Pitt County through strong leadership, teamwork, and integrity. Kressley was chosen as the 2024 Young Professionals Chair and is the ninth recipient of the award. The Young Professionals of Pitt County operate in conjunction with the chamber to provide a foundation for future leaders while creating a better place to live, work and play.
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Media Contact: Lauren Phillips Raynor
Director of Marketing & Communications
Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce
lauren@greenvillenc.org
