Columbia Chamber honors local leaders at Annual Gala
August 4, 2016
Five Midlands Leaders to be Recognized at 114th Annual Gala
COLUMBIA, SC – On Thursday, September 29, 2016, the Columbia Chamber will honor five remarkable individuals at the 114th Annual Gala, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center at 6:00 PM. Honorees include the 2016 Ambassador, Small & Minority Business Advocate, Young Professional, Military Advocate and Diplomat of the Year award winners.
“The Annual Gala gives the Chamber an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding individuals in our community who elevate the Midlands and create positive change,” says Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber President and CEO, “These honorees are the leaders in our region who work tirelessly to aid the Chamber’s mission of creating and promoting an environment where businesses can flourish.”
This year, the Columbia Chamber is privileged to present the prestigious Ambassador of the Year award to John W. Folsom, President and CEO of Colliers International South Carolina. In addition to his extraordinary professional career, Folsom is deeply rooted in the community, serving on the Executive Committee of the Midlands Business Leadership Group, former board member and chair of Providence Hospital and board member and founder of “Salute from the Shore.”
The Ambassador of the Year award is given to an individual in the community who exemplifies outstanding business ethics and influences the positive promotion and preservation of the greater Columbia region. Past Ambassador of the Year winners include Governor Nikki Haley, Harris Pastides, Lou and Bill Kennedy, Charles D. Beaman, Jr., Ray Tanner and Ed Sellers.
“Folsom’s leadership within our region is unwavering,” says 2015-2016 Columbia Chamber Chairman, Boyd Jones, “His passion for community involvement and commitment towards growing the economic and business environment in the area makes the Midlands a better place to live and do business.”
2016 Honorees:
Ambassador of the Year | John W. Folsom, Colliers International South Carolina
Award sponsored by BB&T
Small & Minority Business Advocate of the Year | Mayor Steve Benjamin, City of Columbia
Award sponsored by Colonial Life
Young Professional of the Year | Ashleigh Wilson, Bowman & Brooke, LLP
Award sponsorship available
Military Advocate of the Year | Steven Mungo, Mungo Homes
Award sponsored by AllSouth Federal Credit Union
Diplomat of the Year | Mike Weaver, the Weaver Agency
Award sponsored by Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A.
Attended by over 800 Midlands business leaders, the fast-paced agenda will celebrate the successes of the past year, and look ahead to the upcoming season. In addition, the Chamber will recognize the leadership of the Board of Directors and the changing of the Chairman.
For more information about the Gala, please contact Alexa Stillwell at 803.733.1138 or visit
About the Columbia Chamber
The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, partner-driven organization comprised of 1,500 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry and Richland counties. The Columbia Chamber serves as the voice of its partners and the business community at large on matters of economic, educational, social, cultural and political concern, as well as supports and promotes the success of its partners through networking, professional development, advocacy and leadership. The organization has represented the interests of the local business community since 1902.
To become a partner or to learn more about the Columbia Chamber, as well as its events, programs and initiatives, visit www.ColumbiaChamber.com.
