The Excellence in Public Service Award (sponsored by Mission health) recognizes outstanding contributions to the community through involvement, service or motivation to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Buncombe County. This year’s award honors the late Wyatt Stevens of Roberts & Stevens. An Asheville native, Wyatt had a passion for the environment and conservation. Wyatt also believed deeply in helping the people of the region, devoting many hours to helping Mountain Housing Opportunities and Pisgah Legal Services. Wyatt’s legal career garnered him numerous awards and included a thoughtful approach to land use and zoning. He was a champion for smart development that balances the need for growth alongside upholding the quality of life that we all hold dear.
Small Business Leader of the Year Awards (sponsored by HomeTrust Bank) are presented each year to individuals who reflect quality and dedication in their business operations and who have exhibited leadership accomplishments in the areas of innovation, initiative and civic responsiveness. Meredith Campbell of Express Employment received the award for a company with 15 or fewer employees.In Meredith’s 17 years at Express Employment, the staffing agency has filled over 26,000 jobs in our community, helped nearly 2,900 people find permanent careers and supported the growth of 1,099 companies.
Todd & Anne Smith of College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving of Ashevillereceived the award for 15-50 employees. Todd and Anne have grown their business from 5 employees to over 40 employees in three short years. Along the way, they have won awards, including 2023 Best of AVL Silver Award for Place to Work. And out of 200+ College H.U.N.K.S. franchises across the U.S., Todd and Anne’s business received the 2022 and 2023 Brand Alignment awards and H.U.N.K. of the Year.
The Family Business Award (sponsored by UNC Asheville) recognizes a family-owned business for their contributions to the community and success as a family-owned enterprise. This year’s recipient is A-American Electric, LLC. A-American Electric has three generations of the Wilson family working in the company. Extended family members make up 10% of the company’s employees.
The President’s Award (sponsored by First Bank) recognizes an individual or company deserving of recognition for their work and contributions to the community. This year’s award goes to Kudzu Brands. The Kudzu Brands team was instrumental in planning and executing the 125th Anniversary Celebration last fall – the Chamber truly could not have done it without them. They also lent their time and talents to the relaunch and rebranding of the young professionals program, PROpel AVL. Kudzu Brands partners Heather Johnson and Lindsey Bnadad have been remarkable Chamber volunteers in so many capacities over the years.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award (sponsored by Wells Fargo) recognizes entrepreneurs with soaring ventures and who serve as role models leading through example for all the startup entrepreneurs in the region. This year’s award goes to Quility. While scaling their business with a large local and remote workforce and disrupting the insurance industry with innovative technologies and partnerships from their headquarters in the Swannanoa Valley, local founders Meredith Ellison, Brandon Ellison and Casey Watkins have exhibited a dedication to our community. Their latest venture is reinvigorating the Beacon Mill site in Swannanoa with a community focus and economic development opportunities.