Awards Gala

Be part of the evening.
Be part of the celebration.
Be part of the legacy. 

Become a SPONSOR and help us make it a night to remember!

Sponsor names/logos coming soon!

2027 GILDED GRANDEUR PRESENTING SPONSORS

2027 GOLDEN HOUR
SUSTAINING SPONSORS

2027 GOLDEN HOUR
PATRON SPONSOR

2027 SPEAKEASY SUPPORTER / FRIEND OF THE CHAMBER  SPONSOR

About Annual Awards Gala

2027 Annual Awards Gala

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2027
@ 6:00PM
HENNY PENNY OWNERS HALL

Step back into the glamour of the Roaring ’20s! 
 
The Preble County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala is coming, and you won’t want to miss this unforgettable evening celebrating the businesses, leaders, and community champions who make Preble County shine.
 
🖤   The Roaring ’20s: Gilded Golden Hour
📅   Saturday, January 23, 2027
🕕   6:00 PM @ Henny Penny Owners Hall
✨   Sponsorship opportunity details are listed below.  And, here’s a link.
🏆   Award nominations will also be opening soon!  
 
Start thinking about the outstanding businesses, organizations, educators, young professionals, and community leaders who deserve to be recognized—and mark your calendar for one of our biggest celebrations of the year!
 
Same Community. Brighter Tomorrows.
 

ABOUT THE GALA

Each year, the Preble County Chamber of Commerce hosts  Annual Awards Gala to recognize Preble County businesses, organizations and individuals who make a difference or have a significant impact in the Preble County community.  

Nominations are received from the community for several award categories. The top nominees are honored at the Gala with the final winner being announced that evening.  Current categories include:

  • Small Business of the Year
  • Large Business of the Year
  • Outstanding Agri-Business of the Year
  • Excellence in Leadership Award
  • Young Professional Award
  • Educator of the Year Award
  • Outstanding Non-Profit Leader Award
  • Community Improvement Leader Award

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the 2027 Preble County Chamber Annual Award Gala – The Roaring ’20s: Gilded Golden Hour!
 
It’s more than a night out. It’s an opportunity for your business or organization to show its support for the people, businesses, and leaders helping Preble County grow and thrive.
 

Our Gala brings together businesses, professionals, community leaders, and partners from across Preble County for an evening of recognition, connection, and celebration. Become part of the evening and help us make it one to remember!

Sponsorship deadline: January 8, 2027

We appreciate the businesses and organizations that continue to invest in the Chamber and our Preble County community.

Previous Award Recipients

Outstanding Small Business –  Wheatville Bread Company

Outstanding Large Business – Neaton Auto Products

Outstanding Agribusiness – Keystone Cooperative

Excellence in Leadership Award – Christina Shumway Long

Young Professional Awards – Tannar Hess

Educator of the Year Award – Adrienne Thomas

Outstanding Non-Profit Award – The Common Good of Preble County

Community Improvement Award – Preble County Land Bank

Outstanding Small Business –  Eaton Floral

Outstanding Large Business – MedShip

Outstanding Agribusiness – Voge Family Farms

Excellence in Leadership Award – Shelley Ratliff

Young Professional Awards – Zac Wilson and Kaylee Lebo

Educator of the Year Award – Leslie Kelly

Outstanding Non-Profit Award – Home is the Foundation

Community Improvement Award – Preble County Historical Society

Outstanding Small Business –  Eagle Fence

Outstanding Mid-Sized Business – Wallace Heating & Air

Outstanding Large Business – Henny Penny

Outstanding Agribusiness – Preble County Congress Cutting Committee

Excellence in Leadership Award – Maria Morgan

Young Professional Award – Miranda Armstead

Educator of the Year Award – Nathan Clark

Outstanding Non-Profit Award – Preble County Council on Aging

Community Improvement Award – Regency Properties

Luminary Award – Amy Raynes

Outstanding Small Business – Miley Construction

Outstanding Mid-Sized Business – Skyline Chili Eaton

Outstanding Large Business – Bullen Ultrasonics

Outstanding Agribusiness – Preble Soil and Water Conservation District

Excellence in Leadership Award – Lisa White

Young Professional Award – Greg Ely

Educator of the Year Award – Kevin Kochensparger

Outstanding Non-Profit Award – Little Shoppe of Sharing

Community Improvement Award – Star Theatre

Outstanding Small Business Citizen:   Meraki Lane Boutique / Madison French

Outstanding Corporate Citizen:   Reid Health

Outstanding Agribusiness:   Today’s Harvest

Ray Potter Award:   Barbara Cox

Distinguished Professional:   Lisa Hoying

Excellence in Leadership:   Ty Fugate

Young Professional:    Sydney Montgomery

Educator of the Year:  Harold Niehaus

Non-Profit Innovation:  Camden Comeback

Community Improvement: Preble County Development Partnership

Citizen of the Year:  Leslie Collins

Outstanding Small Business Citizen: Eaton Floral

Young Professional:  Jordan Clapp

Outstanding Agribusiness: Safari Junction

Outstanding Corporate Citizen: TimkenSteel Corporation

Outstanding Small Business Citizen: Harris-Maggard Memorials

The Ray Potter Legacy Award: Dale Moberly Sr.

Young Professional of the Year: Todd Appledorn

Public Servant of the Year: Marsha Shannon

Educator of the Year: Joe Finkbine

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Ray Potter Legacy Award: Jean Bussell

Young Professional of the Year: Courtney Griffith

Citizen of the Year: Brenda Latanza

Outstanding Corporate Citizen: Bullen Ultrasonics

Outstanding Small Business Citizen: Pro-Grade Excavation & Demolition

Outstanding Agribusiness : WildHearts African Farm

Community Improvement Award: The Village of Lewisburg

Nonprofit Innovation Award:  Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Distinguished Service Award: Jim Simon

Legacy Award: Ray Potter

Young Professional of the Year: Jeremy Linder

Citizen of the Year: Rodney Creech

Outstanding Corporate Citizen: Henny Penny Corp.

Outstanding Small Business Citizen: Twin Creek Tea Room

Outstanding Agribusiness : Brubaker Grain

Community Improvement Award: Eagle’s Point Development

Nonprofit Innovation Award: Preble County Art Association

Distinguished Service Award: Eddie Mowen Jr.

Business of the Year — L&M Products

Small Business of the Year — Wildcat Sports & Graphics LLC

Citizen of the Year — Toni Morgan

Distinguished Service Award — Jeff Sewert

Young Professional of the Year — Rob Moyer

Business of the Year – Timken Steel

Small Business of the Year – Daylight Donuts

Distinguished Service Award – Gary Wagner

Young Professional of the Year – Kyle Cross

Citizen of the Year – Sheriff Michael Simpson

Legacy Award – Judge, Wilfrid G. Dues

Legacy Award  – Jack Cobb

Outstanding Recycling Program Award – Pratt Industries

Business of the Year – The Dow Chemical Company

Small Business of the Year – Jell’s Sports Grill

Distinguished Service Award – Preble County Arts Association

Young Professional of the Year – Evan Kloth, Sinclair Community College

Citizen of the Year – Patrick Putnam, Mayor, Lewisburg, Ohio

Legacy Award – REMAGEN – 55 Years of Business

CATEGORIES

Small Business of the Year – This award is intended to recognize a small business with less than 50 employees which has been in business for at least two years and has proved to be an outstanding asset, service, and benefit to its community. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Community Involvement; 2. Preservation of skills and/or product in Preble County; 3. Innovate business practices; 4. Employee satisfaction
 
Large Business of the Year – This award is intended to recognize a large business with more than 50 employees which has been in business for at least two years and has proven to be an outstanding asset, service, or benefit to its community. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Number of people employed in Preble County; 2. Community involvement; 3. Preservation of skills and/or product in Preble County; 4. Employee satisfaction
 
Outstanding Agri-Business of the Year – This award is intended to recognize an agriculture related business which has been outstanding in the business community and demonstrated innovation and achievement in the agricultural or agritourism marketplace. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Community involvement; 2. Preservation of skills and/or product in Preble County; 3. Innovation in business practices
 
Excellence in Leadership Award – This award is intended to recognize any community member who has contributed to the betterment of Preble County through service, leadership, or volunteerism. There is no age requirement for this award. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Emphasis on citizenship and service along with demonstrated enthusiasm, leadership, initiative, idealism, commitment, innovation and vision; 2. Consistently illustrated the ability to develop positive relationships and the skill to build consensus among community leaders; 3. Effectively utilized resources outside of the scope of his/her employment and responsibility
 
Young Professional Award – This award is intended to recognize a professional who is 40 years of age or younger who has made and continues to make significant contributions to the Preble County community. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Dedication to career success through advancement, entrepreneurialism, mentorship, or implementation of new program/practices; 2. Commitment to Preble County community service through volunteerism, board/committee engagement, or social advocacy
 
Educator of the Year – This award is intended to recognize an educator or administrator who goes above and beyond to aid in the education and success of Preble County students. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Demonstrates commitment to student success and love for learning; 2. Exhibits the quality and innovation of an education program or entity; 3. Demonstrates a supportive and caring attitude toward students; 4. Demonstrates respect and support for the school mission and vision
 
Outstanding Non-Profit Leader – This award is intended to recognize a non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life by providing needed services to the citizens of Preble County. The following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Engages in initiatives that make Preble County a better place to live; 2. Provides opportunities for growth and development of staff and volunteers
 
 
Community Improvement Leader – This award is intended to recognize a municipality, organization or business which has made physical improvements toward the quality of life in Preble County. the following should be considered for your nomination: 1. Commitment to economic growth, sustainability, and its desire to create a welcoming and inspiring environment; 2. Outstanding efforts in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of their business or organization ; 3. Investment into an attractive façade, storefront, a clean and well-maintained exterior, and an attractive landscaping design
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