The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on June 18 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield Convention Center. The event, presented by Hickory Point Bank, recognized four outstanding community entrepreneurs in the following categories:
Not-for-Profit – Business Director of the Year recognizes an executive of a not-for-profit organization who has demonstrated the innovative use of organizational skills and management expertise to create or expand the organization’s results to the community. The 2024 recipient is Rev. Margaret Ann Jessup, Wooden It Be Lovely.
Other nominees in the Not-for-Profit category were Carolyn Austin, AgeLinc; Karen Cox, Family Service Center; Colleen Stone, Habitat for Humanity - Sangamon County; Gus Gordon, Hoogland Center for the Arts; Angela Bertoni, Sojourn Shelter & Services; and Marne Fauser, United Way of Central Illinois.
New & Emerging – Business Owner of the Year recognizes a business owner who has demonstrated outstanding performance through innovation, growth, staying power and contributions to the community and has been established for more than one and less than four years. The 2024 recipient is Ashley Striplin, Dabble.
Other nominees in the New & Emerging category were Kristina Barbee, Ad Astra Wine and Tapas Bar; Dene Romanatto, BUNGEE x Dene Fitness; Carrie Bentley, Carriage Crossing; Damon Priddy, Damon Priddy State Farm Insurance; Mark Cherry, Easterday Plumbing Repair; Marisa DeLay, Emerald's Eats; Kenny Micheletta and Dan Clotfelter, Good At Stuff Lawn Care; Sonya Jones, Losin' It With Sonya Jones; Benedict Taylor, TaylorMade LandWorks; James Lucas, The Bressmer; and Ami Shelton, The Keep Store.
Small Business – Owner of the Year recognizes a business owner who has demonstrated outstanding performance through innovation, growth, staying power and contributions to the community and has been established for four or more years with less than 100 employees. The 2024 recipient is Fran Abbott and Shannon McAuley, Scoop Du Jour.
Other nominees in the Small Business category were Dr. John Neely, Advanced Dental Care of Springfield; Pamela and Robert Frazier, All in One Management & Services; Ebben Moore, Arlington's; Nicholas Campo, Campo Realty; Doug Ryherd, Insurance Partners; Theo and Kristen Spilman, Nothing Bundt Cakes; Andrew Bartlett, OOT Box Media; Mark Cortesi, Mark Cortesi – State Farm Insurance Agent; Jeff Kallister, S&K Buick GMC; Jim and Gaye Aaberg, SYNERGY HomeCare of Central Illinois; and Chris Oury, Thirdwave Data.
Business Owner of the Year recognizes a business owner whose for-profit company has been in business in Sangamon County for a minimum of 25 years and who has made significant contributions to commerce and the community. The 2024 recipient is Richard Levi of Levi, Ray & Shoup.
The other nominees in the Lifetime Award category were Shaun Moore and Sherri Madonia, Arena Food Service; Mark Watson, CDS Office Technologies; Edward Cook Sr., Lake Area Disposal Services; Wm. Perry Broughton, P.H. Broughton & Sons; and Steve Lowder, Pioneer Building Maintenance.
