South Lake Chamber hosts awards ceremony
ROXANNE BROWN | Staff Writer
roxannebrown@dailycommercial.com
The South Lake Chamber of Commerce installed its 2013 board, introducing Orlando Health's Robert Thompson as the incoming chair, before announcing its picks for Businesses of the Year at its annual Chairman's Gala Saturday night.
Approximately 250 people were in attendance to hear which of eight finalists in three categories would be honored.
"We're extremely proud of the over 700 (Chamber) members we have and the diversity that's represented by what each of them offers to the community," Thompson said of all the South Lake Chamber members and potential nominees. "There are many businesses that exemplify the criteria of each category so it's hard to whittle the field to just three and then pick a winner, but luckily, we have a committee to sort through the nominations and make its picks."
The highest honor of the night was the Business of the Year award, which according to the Chamber, must be a business that embraces giving back as a value and encourages community involvement throughout their organization.
The finalists were: Computer Business Consultants and Walmart at Cagan Crossings. The winner was Computer Business Consultants headed by Clinton Pownall.
This IT company based in nearby Oakland at a newly built data center, is a two-year Chamber trustee.
The company was located in Clermont for more than 11 years.
"It was a good feeling to be recognized by my peers but I was definitely surprised. I didn't know one way or the other how it was going to go and I was up against another good company, so to hear my name called was really a nice thing," Pownall said. "My focus has always been to give back as much as possible to the people in need and other business owners."
Pownall is chair of the Chamber's Education Committee and also volunteers on additional Lake County school initiatives, including educating the business community about Common Core, the new testing program replacing FCAT.
Pownall also supports charities such as Clermont's New Beginnings and the FAITH Neighborhood Center and the arts by way of the Orlando Shakespeare Company and the United Arts of Central Florida.
Another award given out Saturday was the Revitalization Award, given to a business that according to the Chamber, has demonstrated excellence in revitalizing the architecture of an existing building or has enhanced the value of a business through new additions. The finalists for the award were: Modern Orthodontics, Sugar Mama's Bake Shoppe and the Women's Centre for Excellence.
The winner was the Women's Centre for Excellence, headed by Drs. Kristina McLean and Mary Beth Lewis-Boardman for the transformation of an old bank building into a doctor's office with a Tuscan-style lobby and examination rooms decorated in different themes, such as Africa, Bora Bora and Key West.
The Oakley Seaver Special Service Award, named after a beloved South Lake resident who dedicated his life to community service.
The award honors a nonprofit business, club, organization, educational institution or healthcare provider that has made contributions with lasting impact to the South Lake community.
The finalists for the award were: Back to School Is Cool, Clermont's Downtown Partnership and Pig on the Pond.
The winner was Pig on the Pond in Clermont, that altogether has raised more than $580,000 since 2003 to support South Lake education and local scholarships for college bound students.
Thompson as the new chair, also spoke on his focus and goals for the upcoming year as far as the Chamber goes.
"Every year, the new chairperson puts out a focus of where the chamber is headed and this year, we as the chamber are going to be focused on branding South Lake County as the center of health, wellness and fitness," Thompson said. "That way, people in and outside of the community will know what we're all about. I think it's very exciting and something that's badly needed."
"With the National Training Center, the ski school, all the triathlons we have and the countless Olympians that live and train here, it makes sense to make that our focus."
Thompson said he and the two succeeding chairs have committed to focusing on the initiative long term.
The award for Citizen of the Year, usually announced at the gala was delayed because the recipient could not be there. The winner will be announced at February's Chamber Breakfast on Feb. 15.
Friday, February 08, 2013 - www.dailycommercial.com/8feb2013south