Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Leadership, Service, and Community at 2026 Annual Dinner & Awards

Check out who was there and all the winners in the photo gallery below.

The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce brought together business leaders, educators, elected officials, public servants, and community partners on February 5 for its 2026 Annual Dinner and Awards, marking 47 years of service to Laurens County. Hosted on the campus of Presbyterian College, the evening served as both a celebration of accomplishments and a look ahead at the continued growth and collaboration shaping the county’s future.

Guests gathered for a pre-program reception at The Harper Center before being welcomed into the dining room for the formal program, led by emcee Mark Willis, South Carolina House District 16 Representative. The evening opened with the presentation of colors by the Presbyterian College ROTC Color Guard, the national anthem performed by Kingdom Come Quartet, and an invocation by Lumus Byrd.

A year of connection and change

In her address, Laurens County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dabs Davis reflected on her first year in the role and the evolving mission of the Chamber.

“I want to start by giving credit where it’s due—to this small but mighty team,” Davis said, recognizing Chamber staff members Marlene Owings, Graysen Martin, and Courtney Stonell. “There’s not a whole lot they can’t do, and they never cease to amaze me.”

Davis described the Chamber as a central force in bringing the community together.

“Over this past year, one thing has become incredibly clear to me: the Chamber truly is the connective tissue of Laurens County. It brings people together, builds trust, and creates relationships that make our community stronger,” she said.

She emphasized that collaboration across business, government, education, and nonprofit sectors is intentional.

“The network that exists in Laurens County didn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of intentional relationship-building by this team and the incredible people who care deeply about this community.”

Davis also acknowledged that growth requires adaptation.

“Change is necessary for growth. Laurens is growing, and we have to change and grow with it to meet the needs of this community and our small businesses,” she said. “Just because we’ve always done something a certain way doesn’t mean we have to keep doing it that way.”

Referencing a guiding principle for the Chamber’s future, Davis added, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. We’re stepping out of our comfort zone to meet the needs of our community.”

Recognizing leadership and service

The program included recognition of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, representing municipalities, utilities, healthcare, education, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes across Laurens County.

Presenting sponsors for the evening included Presbyterian College, the City of Clinton, City of Laurens, Laurens County Administration, Laurens Commission of Public Works, Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission, Piedmont Rural Telephone Cooperative, Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital, and Self Regional Healthcare.

2025–2026 Award Recipients

Law Enforcement Officers of the Year
Recognized on behalf of their agencies:

• Laurens County Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Don Reynolds and Sgt. Nate Lowe

• Clinton Police Department: Chief Michael Addison and Sgt. Jessica Fowler

• Laurens Police Department: Chief Heath Copeland and Officer Carson Powell

This recognition honors officers who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, leadership, and dedication to protecting the citizens of Laurens County.

District Teachers of the Year

• District 55 Teacher of the Year: Jamie Flaniken

• District 56 Teacher of the Year: Jessi Davidson

These awards recognize educators who exemplify excellence in the classroom and a lasting commitment to student success.

Cecil O. Davenport Citizenship Award

• Runner-up: Salaam Jenkins, Clinton High School

• Runner-up: Eliza Pearl Terry, Laurens Academy

• Winner: Emma Welch, Laurens District High School

Named in honor of former Chamber Executive Cecil O. Davenport, this award recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, service, and civic responsibility at an early age.

Laurens County Public Power Scholarship ($2,500 each)

• Mary Ellis Power, Laurens District 55

• Lydia Riley, Clinton High School

These scholarships support students who demonstrate academic promise while exploring the importance of public power and community leadership.

Laurens Electric Cooperative Community Impact Grant ($1,000 each)

• Straight Street Youth Center

• Town of Gray Court

The grant supports innovative projects that enhance quality of life, safety, and community connection across Laurens County.

Ambassador Quarterly Award Recipients

• Lacresha Dowdy – Thornwell

• Lee Anne Kitchen – Roper Staffing

• Marilyn “Quia” Cromer – Gateway Counseling Center

• Jen Williams – Upstate Advertising

These individuals were recognized for consistent service, volunteerism, and support of the Chamber’s mission throughout the year.

Ambassador of the Year

• Lacresha Dowdy – Thornwell

This award recognizes outstanding dedication to the Chamber through leadership, reliability, and active engagement across Chamber initiatives.

Duke Energy Award for Citizenship and Public Service

• Marilyn Easter (accepted by husband Glenn Easter)

This prestigious award honors a lifetime of service, integrity, and leadership that has made a lasting impact on Laurens County.

Russ Emerson Leadership Award

• Maggie Collins, Jr. Leadership Laurens County

Presented by Leadership Laurens County, this award recognizes a participant who demonstrated exceptional leadership and servant-leader qualities throughout the program.

Keep Laurens County Beautiful Community Partner Award

• Ingles of Laurens

This award recognizes a business that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to sustainability, beautification, and environmental stewardship.

John P. Faris Volunteer of the Year Award

• Mary Wallace Riley – Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission

Named in honor of the late John P. Faris, this award recognizes outstanding volunteer leadership and dedication to the Chamber and the community.

Robert M. Vance Small Business of the Year Award

The Robert M. Vance Small Business of the Year Award honors the legacy of one of Laurens County’s most respected leaders in business, finance, and industry. Each year, the recipient is selected from the Chamber’s Small Business of the Quarter honorees.

The 2025 Small Business of the Quarter recipients were:

• The Laurens County Buzz – Brenda Stewart

• Callahan State Farm Agency – Chris Callahan

• Sunny Meadow Boutique – Shannon Walker

• Big Air Laurens – Jake and Jessica Cooper

From this group, the 2025 Robert M. Vance Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Big Air Laurens, owned by Jake and Jessica Cooper.

Since opening less than two years ago, Big Air Laurens has become a destination in the community, offering bowling lanes, axe throwing, a golf simulator, and family-friendly food and entertainment. The business was recognized for innovation, community investment, and creating a space that brings people together.

Spirit of the Chamber Award

• Kimberly Kitchens – ServPro of Laurens and Newberry Counties

The Spirit of the Chamber Award recognizes a member who consistently demonstrates enthusiasm, engagement, and unwavering support of the Chamber’s purpose. Kitchens was recognized for her visible presence, leadership, and ability to connect people across the community.

Looking ahead

As the evening concluded, Davis thanked attendees for their continued belief in the Chamber and the community.

“Laurens County has the best businesses, the best partners, and the best people—and no one can convince me otherwise,” she said. “Thank you for believing in this Chamber, for believing in Laurens County, and for being part of this journey with us.”

The 2026 Annual Dinner and Awards underscored the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to convening leaders, empowering businesses, and strengthening Laurens County for the future.