Garner Chamber Announces Winners of Summit Awards and Lifetime Achievement Awards

GARNER, NC, October 08, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Garner Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of the first-ever Summit Awards Honoring the Best in Business. The Summit Awards were presented Sept. 30 at the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Banquet at the Grand Marquise Ballroom, with ABC-11's Angela Hampton serving as emcee of the awards presentation.

Following the initial nominations phase in which companies could nominate themselves or other organizations, judging was conducted by the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County (South Carolina) Chamber of Commerce.

Fourteen different companies were named as finalists for the six awards, with the following winners announced during the awards presentation that concluded the Annual Meeting:

First Citizens Bank Exceptional Customer Experience Award
Klassy Kids Child Enrichment Center

Wachovia/Wells Fargo Integrity in Business Award
R.W. Moore Equipment Co.

Jones Insurance Agency Steady Growth and Achievement Award
WingSwept

Entrepreneurial Award (1-15 employees)
Vortex Construction Company, LLC

Entrepreneurial Award (16-50 employees)
S&A Cherokee

Entrepreneurial Award (51-plus employees)
F&D Huebner, LLC dba McDonald's

"We're fortunate to have outstanding businesses as Chamber members, and all Summit Award winners and finalists are to be congratulated," said Garner Chamber President Neal Padgett. "Now that the bar has been set, I look forward to seeing this awards program grow in future years."

As an unannounced surprise at the Annual Meeting, the Garner Chamber also presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to three individuals who have owned businesses in Garner and who have remained active in the Chamber for 40 years.

Rolly Bannister, Bannister Properties
George Ruckner, Dixie Construction Company
Joe Sample, Wake Property Investments

Bannister, Ruckner and Sample were honored with inaugural Lifetime Achievement Awards for their vision, leadership and active participation in economic development.

For more information, contact the Garner Chamber of Commerce at (919) 772-6440 or visit http://www.garnerchamber.com.

About the Garner Chamber of Commerce
The Garner Chamber of Commerce is an active organization made up of nearly 600 businesses and community groups. For more than 40 years the Garner Chamber has worked to advance Garner's economic vitality and enhance the area's quality of life. For more information, visit http://www.garnerchamber.com, call (919) 772-6440 or e-mail info@garnerchamber.com.