The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated business and organizational excellence at the 100th Annual Awards Luncheon held last Thursday at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. 

The event recognized and honored the achievements and efforts of outstanding member businesses, community partners and individuals of the Delmarva Peninsula.

Also recognized were Wicomico Recreation Parks & Tourism’s community partners, who help the county recruit new events, retain and grow current events, and welcome event attendees into the community.

Guests enjoyed socially distanced networking and lunch prepared by the Encore Catering team.

This year’s award recipients:

• Member Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes a person who put much of their time and effort into supporting the mission of the Chamber, was awarded to Ladd Colston and presented by Steve Leonard of TidalHealth.

• The Ambassador of the Year Award recognized an individual that serves on the Ambassador Committee and has not only fulfilled their commitment to promote retention and inclusiveness within the Chamber through outreach to new and existing members, but has gone above and beyond the agreed-upon duties. Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello of Pohanka of Salisbury presented the award to Ryan Bass, Woodforest National Bank.

• The Small Business of the Year Award was presented to a firm with a staff of five or less, which has a substantiated record as an established business. The company demonstrated growth in the last two years of operation, demonstrated an innovative approach to the market, and provided superior customer service. Melissa Geeslin, Goosehead Insurance received the award, which was presented by Brandon Havas of BBSI.

• Medium Business of the Year Award was presented to a firm with a staff of six to 50, which has a substantiated record as an established business. The company demonstrated growth through at least two years of operations, demonstrated an innovative approach to the market, and provided superior service to the community. Stephanie Willey of Effectv presented the award to Allen & Shariff Engineering.

• Large Business of the Year Award was presented to a firm with a staff of more than 50, which has a substantiated record as an established business. The company demonstrated growth through at least two years of operations, demonstrated an innovative approach to the market, and provided superior customer service. Dave Ryan of Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development presented the award to TidalHealth.

• The Business Professional of the Year Award was presented to a man or woman who is widely recognized as a successful business and community leader. Dr. Memo Diriker of BEACON presented the award to Debbie Abbott of the Bank of Delmarva.

• The Environmental Service Award recognized an individual or organization that has done the most to assist the Lower Shore Business Community to become more green-oriented. Rob Jadik of Bancroft Construction Co. presented the award to the Lower Shore Land Trust.

• Agriculture Ambassador of the Year Award recognized the person or organization that has done the most to aid Maryland’s top industry, agriculture. University of Maryland Wicomico County Extension Office received the award, presented by Chris Perdue of Perdue Farms Inc.

• The Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award recognized an organization that has best used its resources to aid the community. John Petito of Delmarva Power presented the award to Don Hackett of Dove Pointe.

• The SACC Hall of Fame Award, formerly known as The Chamber Award, is reserved to acknowledge an individual that has demonstrated a history of career achievement, a sustained commitment to the advancement of our region through their unselfish leadership, a commitment to making a difference, and unparalleled professionalism among their peers in the community. Jim Thomas, Board Chair of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, presented this year’s award to Erica Joseph of the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

Wicomico County Tourism also recognized its strongest partners during the luncheon:

• The city of Salisbury and the National Folk Festival were honored as the Tourism Partner of the Year for presenting the largest outdoor entertainment event ever held in Wicomico County.

• The Tourism Hospitality award went to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics.

• Coach Butch Waller was presented the Betty K. Gardner Tourism Person of the Year award.