Columbia Chamber honors local leaders at annual Gala

September 26, 2023

Midlands Leaders to be Recognized at 120th Annual Diamond Gala.

The Columbia Chamber is pleased to announce the award recipients for the 120th Annual Diamond Gala, presented by BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina. On Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Columbia Chamber will hold its award ceremony at Segra Park, on the baseball diamond. This year’s Gala will be the largest in Chamber history, showcasing 120 years of history with a toast to the future. Guests are invited to enjoy dancing and live music provided by The Terence Young Project along with a fireworks display.

“We are excited to celebrate 120 years of Chamber history with members of the Midlands community,” says Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber President and CEO. “We look forward to celebrating the extraordinary people and organizations who make our region a better place to live, work and play.”

2023 Honorees:

  • Young Professional of the Year: Stacy Williams, AgFirst Farm Credit Bank
    • Award presented in memory of Ike McLeese
  • Public Servant of the Year: Joe E. Taylor, Jr., City of Columbia (Posthumous)
    • Award sponsored by Elliott Davis
  • Diplomat of the Year: Ann Thomason, ERA Wilder Realty
    • Award sponsored by Willoughby, Humphrey & D’Antoni
  • Military Advocate of the Year: Dan Beatty, SC Military Base Task Force
    • Award sponsored by Dominion Energy
  • Ambassador of the Year: Kim Wilkerson, Retired, Bank of America
    • Award sponsored by Colonial Life
  • Partner of the Year: Coca-Cola Consolidated
    • Award Sponsored by Mauldin & Jenkins

Tickets are available for purchase at www.ColumbiaChamber.com. For more information about the Gala, please contact Hilary Bell at 803.733.1115

 

About the Columbia Chamber

The Columbia Chamber is a private, non-profit, Partner-driven organization comprised of 1,200 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.