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Business Excellence Awards
The Chamber’s annual Small Business Leader of the Year event is taking on an exciting new format in 2026 with the introduction of the Business Excellence Awards. This expanded program will recognize outstanding Chamber members through three award categories:
- Small Business of the Year
- Emerging Business of the Year
- Legacy Business of the Year
Each award will celebrate businesses that demonstrate excellence in leadership, innovation, customer service, business performance, and community engagement. From promising new ventures to established organizations with decades of impact, the Business Excellence Awards will highlight the businesses helping strengthen the economy and shape the future of Greenville-Pitt County.
Presented by:
2026 Small Business of the Year Nomination Form:
The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a locally owned and operated business with 50 employees or less that has demonstrated excellence in business performance, leadership, and community engagement. This award honors a company that consistently delivers quality products and/or services, exhibits sound business practices, and contributes positively to the economic vitality of Greenville-Pitt County. Recipients are distinguished by their business achievements, reputation within their industry, and commitment to investing time, talent, and resources back into the community.
Submit Nomination Here
Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, August 28, 2026.
2026 Emerging Business of the Year Nomination Form:
The Emerging Business of the Year Award recognizes a business that has been operating for less than two years and has quickly established itself as a promising contributor to the local business community. This award celebrates organizations that demonstrate innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, strong early growth, and a commitment to excellence in customer service and operations. Recipients show significant potential for long-term success while actively engaging with and supporting the Greenville-Pitt County community.
Submit Nomination Here
Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, August 28, 2026.
2026 Legacy Business of the Year Nomination Form:
The Legacy Business of the Year Award honors a business that has served the Greenville-Pitt County community for 25 years or more while maintaining a strong reputation for excellence, integrity, and leadership. This award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated longevity through adaptability, exceptional service, and sustained business success. Recipients have made lasting contributions to the region's economic development and have built a legacy of community involvement, customer trust, and organizational excellence.
Submit Nomination Here
Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, August 28, 2026.
Past Small Business Leader of the Year Recipients
The Small Business Leader of the Year award has long recognized an individuals 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.
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
2025 - Michael Letchworth - Sam Jones BBQ