Recognizing Excellence: Highlights from the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet
On November 7, 2024, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce hosted the 110th Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, an evening dedicated to celebrating the individuals and businesses that help our community flourish. This sold-out event highlighted the strength of community, by honoring award recipients nominated by local residents, organizations, and businesses. These nominations demonstrate heartfelt appreciation from those who have directly experienced the positive impact of these remarkable contributors.
The award selection process is a thoughtful and meticulous endeavor. The Banquet Awards Committee, made up of past award winners, community members unaffiliated with the Chamber, the current board chair, and a member of the Banquet Planning Committee, reviews each nomination thoroughly. Each nominee is evaluated against the specific criteria for their category, using a 1-5 point scoring system.
Young Professional of the Year Criteria:
This award recognizes a local professional under 40 who demonstrates creativity, innovation, character, consistency, and excellence in their field. Importantly, nominees are required to make meaningful contributions to the well-being of the community through their work or volunteer activities.
Small Business of the Year Criteria:
This accolade, awarded to businesses with less than 34 employees, is given to the entity that best embodies the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce values. Criteria include demonstrated growth, integrity, innovation, community engagement, volunteerism, customer service, and workforce development.
Entrepreneur of the Year Criteria:
This award is given to an individual who willingly accepts the challenges of entering the business world. Criteria include possessing critical and creative thinking skills, demonstrating initiative and drive to bring a product/service to market, and ownership and/or management of a successful business venture started within the past two years.
Nonprofit of the Year Criteria:
Awarded to the nonprofit making the most positive impact on the community. The criteria includes innovation or consistent service, offering a breadth and depth of services that improve the community’s well-being, and initiating collaborative efforts for synergy and mutual success amongst partner organizations.
Large Business of the Year Criteria:
For businesses with 35 or more employees, the Large Business of the Year award criteria include demonstrated growth, integrity, innovation, community engagement, volunteerism, customer service, and workforce development.
L.B. Henretty Outstanding Citizen Award Criteria:
This prestigious award, created in 1971, has stringent eligibility criteria and selection criteria, including:
- Attainment of the age of 21 years by the date of the award,
- Residency in Culpeper for at least three years immediately prior to the award date,
- Shall not be eligible to receive the award more than once.
- Contributions to society through individual or organizational service without consideration of sex, race, color, or creed,
- Service or assistance rendered to individuals or groups on a community, county, or statewide basis, and
- Basic effectiveness of service and leadership resulting in tangible accomplishments.
Business-Education Partnership Award (New in 2024):
Introduced this year, this award highlights collaboration between the business and education sectors, showcasing innovative partnerships that benefit both students and the workforce.
The winners of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, announced on this illustrious evening, are as follows:
- Young Professional of the Year: Winonna Pritts, Culpeper Department of Economic Development
- Small Business of the Year: Thompson’s Auto Repair
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Franz & Karina Rodriguez, 101 Latino Multiservice LLC
- Nonprofit of the Year: Girls on the Run Piedmont
- Large Business of the Year: Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
- L.B. Henretty Outstanding Citizen: Lisa Peacock, Culpeper Human Services
- Business-Education Partnership Award: Culpeper County Public School System
- Agribusiness of the Year Award: The Swan Family – Glebe Farm
These individuals and businesses stood out for their exceptional commitment, leadership, and service, truly embodying the values and spirit of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to all the well-deserving winners!
Looking Ahead:
The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is excited to continue this tradition of excellence. Nominations are now open for the 2025 Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, which will take place on November 6, 2025. We encourage the community to participate in recognizing the outstanding businesses, individuals, and organizations that make Culpeper a special place. Submit your nominations at culpeperchamber.com/awards.
Congratulations to all our 2024 winners and thank you to everyone who made this year’s banquet a success!
