The Hall County business community gathered Thursday night at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s 115th annual gala.
The Chamber highlighted the 2022-2023 year and presented its Annual Business Awards. The program and awards were presented by Chamber Chairman William Bagwell, Homestead Investments, Chairman-Elect Brett Fowler, Turner Wood & Smith Insurance, and Kit Dunlap, Chamber President and CEO.
William Bagwell, managing member of Gainesville-based Homestead Investments, ended his term as Chairman of the Board at the event. Brett Fowler, partner and executive vice president of employee benefits at Turner Wood & Smith Insurance, officially takes over on July 1st.
"It's important for me to see the local businesses prosper, have attended the annual gala every year since 2008," Flower said during his speech. "I'm hopeful that I can play just a small part to help us take them to the next level and contribute like so many before me to make Gainesville/ Hall County the best place in Georgia to live work and play."
Below are the businesses and people who were honored:
Small Business of the Year
BatesCarter and New Leaf Landscape Services were both honored as the Small Business of the Year.
Gainesville-based BatesCarter, Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors celebrate its 60th Anniversary this year. BatesCarter has been a Chamber supporter since it was established, and company founder James E. Bates served as Chamber President in 1971.
Steve Murray purchased Quality Lawns in 2001 and changed its name to New Leaf Landscape Services one year later. They have offices in Gainesville and Lawrenceville and have evolved into a full-service landscape design, installation, maintenance, and irrigation company. New Leaf has been a Chamber member for the past 19 years. They serve the community by volunteering their time and resources to many in the Gainesville-Hall County area through their Community Partnership Initiative and their mentorship program.
Family Businesses of the Year
Hawkins Family Dentistry and Signs by Tomorrow were both honored as Family Business of the Year.
Gainesville native Lee Hawkins graduated from Emory Dental School in 1978 and returned to his hometown to start a practice, Hawkins Family Dentistry.
Signs By Tomorrow is most certainly a family affair. Jay Kelly, his wife Janet (a former Hall County educator), son Michael, and daughter-in-law Katherine Kelly are co-owners of Signs By Tomorrow. The company’s products include lettering and graphics, real estate signs, lighted outdoor signs, indoor wall frames and much more.
Community Service Award
The Georgia Heart Institute was presented with the Community Service Award. Nearly 40 years ago, Northeast Georgia Medical Center performed the first heart catheterization, establishing a strong heart care program in Hall County. They recently also started a robotic heart surgery program done through incisions the size of the diameter of an ink pen.
Distinguished Citizen Award
Brian Daniel, the president and CEO of Carroll Daniel Construction, a Gainesville-based general contracting firm, was awarded the distinguished citizen award. Founded in 1946, the company is in its third generation of family leadership.
Daniel graduated from Auburn University in Business Management and from Southern Polytechnic State with a graduate degree in Building Construction. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority. Daniel also served as chair of the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, president of the Associated General Contractors of Georgia, and chair of the Board of Trustees of Riverside Preparatory Academy.
WG Mealor | Chairman’s Choice Award
Tread Syfan of Stewart Melvin & Frost was presented with the W.G. Mealor Chairman’s Choice Award. Syfan is a Gainesville and graduated from the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Law. He also earned his master's in tax law from Emory.
Tread serves as General Counsel and Secretary for the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority. He has been involved in economic development for the last 40 years.
