Columbia Chamber honors six at 113th Annual Gala
September 28, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – On September 24, 2015, the Columbia Chamber had the distinct honor of celebrating six outstanding individuals at the 113th Annual Gala, presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. With more than 700 attendees, the Chamber’s annual event marked the end of the 2014 – 2015 fiscal year and highlighted the accomplishments of the Chamber and the region over the past twelve months. The event also previewed the upcoming year’s programming and public policy agenda.
“It has been a year of change for the Chamber and the community. The Annual Gala gives us an opportunity to thank our Partners for their support,” says Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber President and CEO, “Without our Partners and sponsors, the Chamber could not achieve these major milestones and that is something worth celebrating.”
2015 Honorees:
Ambassador of the Year | The Honorable Nikki R. Haley, Governor, State of South Carolina
Sponsored by TD Bank
Chamber President & CEO, Carl Blackstone; Governor Nikki Haley; Michael Haley; Columbia Board Chair, Boyd Jones, NBSC
Small & Minority Business Advocate of the Year | Dr. Louis Lynn, ENVIRO AgScience, Inc.
Sponsored by BB&T
Young Professional of the Year | Tommy Preston, Nexsen Pruet
Sponsored by Colonial Life
Military Advocates of the Year | Bill Bethea, S.C. Military Base Task Force & Major General George Goldsmith, USAR, Ret.
Sponsored by AllSouth Federal Credit Union
Diplomat of the Year | Mike Weaver, the Weaver Agency
Sponsored by Willoughby & Hoeffer
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.
