Free Daily Headlines

Business

Set your text size: A A A

LIGHTNING PHOTOS: Record crowd celebrates business

Jeff Egolf receives the Ray Cantrell award from Chamber chair Molly Parkhill. [PHOTO BY PAULA ROBERTS]

The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce honored a longtime Hendersonville business and community leader with its G. Ray Cantrell Service Award on Friday night while also recognizing top leaders in education, small business, environmental sustainability, the camping industry and other areas during its annual banquet.

A record crowd of 280 people squeezed into the ballroom of Kenmure Country Club for the annual get-together celebrating business achievement and community leadership by business owners.
The Cantrell award is a lifetime achievement award honoring a business leader who has devoted their time and energy to the chamber and the community. It is named for Ray Cantrell, who served as executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce for 40 years.
Egolf, who owned the Egolf Jeep-Chrysler Motors dealership, has been actively engaged in the community and in business since he moved to Hendersonville in 1972. A graduate of Indiana University and veteran of the Vietnam War as a U.S. Navy officer, Egolf served as a leader among Chrysler-Playmouth-Dodge dealers, including national chair of the Dodge dealers.

Egolf co-chaired the capital campaign effort that resulted in the chamber's new facility. He has served as chair of the chamber board and the Committee of 100 – the forerunner of the Partnership for Economic Development, chaired the Community Foundation and led the effort to found the Children & Family Resource Center. He served on the Board of Directors of Wachovia Bank
and served on the Hendersonville Planning Board.
Past winners make up a "who's who" of area business leaders, including Duane McKibbin, R.E. Harmon,
Dan Gibson,
Sam McGuirt, Bill Stokes, Bill McKay,
Tom Shepherd, Albert Gooch Jr., Dan Waddell Jr., Herb Young Jr., Jim Crafton,
Bill Lapsley, David Reeves, Bill McGee,
Rob Cranford, Roger Hill,
 Bud Hunter
 and Jim Maher.

Duke Energy Service Award


JohnBoydCraigDebrewJohn Boyd and Craig DebrewThe Duke Energy Service Award is presented to an individual in Henderson County who has "made a difference" in the community. The winner, John Boyd, was a parole officer, a tractor salesman and schoolteacher and "along the way touch many lives with his friendship, advice and sense of humor," Craig DeBrew of Duke Energy said. Boyd was instrumental in bringing the Vision Henderson County Leadership Program to Henderson County in 1995-96 and has directed every class since then. More than 400 people have participated in Vision Henderson County. He has served on the boards of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce,
the Hendersonville Merchants Association, the Henderson County Cemetery Advisory Board, Heritage Museum,
the Vision Henderson County Alumni Association President, the WNC Entrepreneurial Council and 
the Hendersonville Elks Lodge — achieving the rank of Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, a position only five North Carolina Elks have reached this level.

 

Ambassador of the Year


Ambassador1Derek Groves, left, and Mark Isabelli congratulate David Jordan.The Ambassador of the Year Award is presented to the chamber member who spends the most time volunteering at Chamber events, attending ribbon cuttings and grand openings, serving as greeters at Business After Hours and other events as well as making personal contacts to welcome new members to the chamber. The winner, David Jordan, is an associate for LegalShield and a identity theft risk management specialist. He is a three-peat winner of the Ambassador of the Year Award, having won in 2011 and 2013.

Education Champion


Designed to recognize individuals or organizations that have had a meaningful and significant impact through advocacy, leadership and direct action, the Education Champion Award went to Scott Rhodes.
A native of Henderson County and 1988 graduate of Edneyville High School, Rhodes received his B.S. degree from Western Carolina University and went on to obtain his masters degree in school administration from Gardner-Webb University.
He has spent his entire career with Henderson County Public Schools, starting at Flat Rock Middle School under the leadership of current superintendent David Jones. At Flat Rock, he taught physical education and coached football and wrestling, and also baseball at East Henderson High School. After teaching and coaching at North Henderson High, he became principal at Flat Rock Middle School in 2009. he spent the next four years. Under his four-year tenure, Flat Rock was recognized as one of the top middle schools in the country by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades reform.
Named principal at East Henderson High School in 2013, Rhodes led that school when it was listed as among the best in the state and nation in U.S. News and World Report's "Best High Schools" rankings. East Henderson was ranked as the 26th best high school in North Carolina.
Named principal of the year in Henderson County, Rhodes went on to become the principal of the year for Region 8 of Western North Carolina and is competing with other regional winners for the state's top honor.

Sustainability Award


Barry Brown and Vikki BaileyBarry Brown and Vikki BaileyCreated by the Chamber in 2010 to recognize businesses that use practices that protect and preserve the environment while enhancing their bottom line, the Sustainability Award went to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Those selected for the award not only use best practices but also encourage others to emulate good practices. Previous recipients include Hampton Inn & Suites, Highland Lake Inn and Kimberly Clark Corp.
Sierra Nevada:

  • Installed 2300 Solar panels that produce 600 KW of power for the plant.
  • Runs micro-turbines off of wastewater biogas to produce an additional 400 KW of power.
  • Laid permeable pavers in their parking areas, made rain gardens and used other methods in their stormwater management plan.
  • Reused trees harvested from the site for construction for building materials.

The company's biggest impact in sustainability may be in their culture. Its culture of sustainability is influencing everyone in the region — manufacturers, developers, retail stores, service business and others.


2015 Camp Industry Leadership Award


John and Jane Dockendorf receive Camping Industry Award from Fair Waggoner.John and Jane Dockendorf receive Camping Industry Award from Fair Waggoner.The Camp Industry Leadership Award is sponsored by Henderson County Young Leaders Program, which seeks to provide Henderson County children mentoring and educational experiences through camping.
The 2015 winners were John and Jane Dockendorf of Camp Pinnacle and Adventure Treks. Lovingly referred to as "Dock and Janie."
When Camp Pinnacle closed in 2010 after 83 years, folks wondered what would happen to this pristine 126-acre tract with the 20-acre Wolf Lake. After passing by the entrance almost daily for months, the Dockendorfs decided to take the bull by the horns and reopen the camp.
"While still embracing its history and traditions, keeping the name and hiring alumni as staffers, they have worked to create what is the perfect camp for the 21st century," Fair Waggoner said as she presented the award. "Their vision for the camp has been well realized and proven by its continued positive growth and impact, both economically and on the kids and families it serves. Each year it has continued to grow in enrollment and increased need for more sessions.
"You would think that running a camp would be enough but these guys were, all the while, continuing to run a local company they founded back in 1993. Their adventure travel company is well known as one of the nations leading and most respected summer adventure programs for teenagers. They have been featured on Good Morning America, Conde Nast Traveler and many other national publications. And truly...What a COOL business!!!
"The folks behind both these companies are equally as accomplished, unique, and amazing and truly two very COOL people.
'Dock' started as a camper at Mondamin at the age of 12 and for 15 years was either a camper or a counselor there. He was a competitive freestyle skier, whitewater paddler and marathon runner. With a masters degree from Cornell, John came back to Hendersonville to work at Globe Treks and from there incubated and created the company we know today as Adventure Treks.
"A native of Buffalo, Jane was an accomplished rower. After earning a degree in political science from Fordham University and a masters from Appalachian State University, she started her career as a fifth grade teacher.
"Together not only are they running the two companies, they are raising four fabulous kids, they serve numerous boards, work in many local organizations and creatively and cohesively spearhead many community projects. Over the years, via Adventure Treks and Camp Pinnacle they have given well over $160,000 worth of scholarships. The basis for these tremendous gifts is simple....They believe that every kid should have a chance to go to camp!"


Industrialist of the Year Award


Pete Szelwach of Clement Pappas receives the Industrialist of the Year Award from Terry Collins.Pete Szelwach of Clement Pappas receives the Industrialist of the Year Award from Terry Collins.  The recipient of the Industrialist of the Year Award was Pete Szelwach of Clement Pappas, a bottling plant in Mountain Home.
Szelwach joined a long list of accomplished individuals who have helped make Henderson County a great place to live, work and raise a family. Past winners includes Tim Painter of Kimberly-Clark,
Ed Nix of Steelcase,
Paul Morse of GE Lightning Solutions, Barry Brown of Warm Co., Dan O'Connell of UPM Raflatac, Dave Sink Jr. of BRCC, Tim Gwennap of Wilsonart, Brian Cavagnini of Meritor, and Steve Sheppard of Blue Ridge Metals.
Szelwach helped launch the effort by the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development to educate local youth and public school personnel about manufacturing opportunities — hosting tours, developing videos and coordinating efforts to change the perception of manufacturing jobs in Henderson County.
He also led efforts by his company to increase investment at the manufacturers Mountain Home location and to add jobs there. His effort led to a $5.9 million joint project with an allied company that added 13 new jobs paying $60,000 a year with benefits.

Small Business Leader of the Year


The Small Business Leader of the Year award, given to a company that has served Henderson County for more than three years, has grown to employ workers in our community and has given back to the went to Miller's Fine Drycleaning. Miller was chosen from among four quarterly recipients: Judy Stroud State Farm Insurance, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard and Summit Marketing Group.
Miller's Fine Drycleaning has been dedicated to excellence for three generations. People nationally know of Miller as founder and president of HonorAir. Between 2005 and 2011, HonorAir and the National Honor Flight programs flew more than 100,000 WWII veterans to our nation's capital to experience their memorial. Miller also is a past president of the Henderson County YMCA and Boys & Girls Club and the founding board of the Heritage Museum. He has also served on the doard of directors of the Community Foundation and Pardee Hospital.

Amazing Customer Service Award


Emeritus at Pine Park Executive Director Ed Given accepts First Citizens Bank Customer Service Award from Melinda Whitmire.Emeritus at Pine Park Executive Director Ed Given accepts First Citizens Bank Customer Service Award from Melinda Whitmire.The First Citizen Bank Amazing Customer Service Award went to Emeritus at Pine Park.

The assisted living facility made a promise, said presenter Melinda Whitmire, "that we shall always treat our guests as we would our own family members."

Steve Dozier received the gavel as the 2015 Chamber chair, thanking 2014 chair Molly Parkhill. Representing 1,000 businesses with nearly 30,000 employees, Dozier said, the chamber can do as an organization what individual businesses can't always do on their own. He noted that the Chamber has a dozen members that have been on board since 1947. "My hope is that in 2084 members we have today are still prospering, still doing well and finding the chamber of value to them."