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Best in Business Awards

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Best in Business Awards recognize local business leaders who make a positive impact in our community.

Click here for photos and videos from the 2023 Best in Business Awards – Celebrating 110 Years of Excellence, sponsored by Albemarle County.

Finalists – Business Leader of the Year

Award criteria:

  • Has shown extraordinary leadership in our Greater Charlottesville region through professional practice and community service
  • Inspires others to collaborate, innovate, and advocate for a thriving regional community
  • Lives or lived in the Greater Charlottesville region

Anthony Woodard, Woodard Properties
Branford Rogers, RE Innovative Software Solutions
Chris Farina, Rosalia Films and The Corner Parking Lot
Eugene & Lorraine Williams
Gabriela Romo, Refemme
Gordon Sutton, Tiger Fuel Company
Jamie & Sodora Jones, Jones Heating & Air
Jennifer King, Chase Investment Counsel Corporation

Kaye Monroe, KDM Coaching & Associates
Linnea Revak, Darling x Dashing Boutique
Nicole Hawker, Heart and Soul Fitness with Nicole
Sarah Sweet, The Scrappy Elephant
Sasha Tripp, Story House Real Estate Charlottesville
Tracey Greene, Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC) and Charlottesville Angel Network

Finalists – Christopher Lee Small Business Person of the Year

Award criteria:

  • Is an active owner or co-owner of a Charlottesville area business with 50 or fewer employees
  • Has made a significant contribution to the success of their business and our Greater Charlottesville communities
  • Is a member in good standing of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Has been in business for three years or longer

Kristen Hardy, OakHeart Financial Group
John C Vermillion, Charlottesville Sanitary Supply Corporation

Finalists – Upstanding Award

Award criteria:

  • Successfully demonstrates one or more best practices in responsible business, as defined by the US Business Roundtable in 2019 as follows: We will deliver value to our customers; invest in our employees; deal fairly and ethically with our suppliers; support the communities in which we work; and generate long-term value for our shareholders.
  • Excels in disciplines such as corporate social responsibility, sustainability practices, DEI initiatives, volunteerism and/or other forward-looking approaches to achieving business success
  • Is a member in good standing of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce

Boar’s Head Resort
Flow Automotive
JABA
OakHeart Financial Group
Pete’s Pick-Up
Piedmont Family YMCA
RE Innovative Software Solutions

Story House Real Estate
Studio R Aesthetics
van der Linde Recycling
Van Yahres Tree Company
VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment
WillowTree

Award Selection Process

(1) Public Nominations, September 28 to October 15

Anyone can nominate individuals and organizations for our three Best in Business awards.

  • Nominations will not be accepted after Sunday, October 15, at 11:59pm.
  • By submitting a nomination form, you agree that your nomination statement may be selected to share publicly.
  • If nominee contact info can’t be found by searching online, the nominee will not advance to the next stage.

(2) Finalist Submissions, October 16 to October 26

On Monday, October 16, nominees will be notified by email and invited to fill out a finalist submission. Every nominee who meets the award criteria and fully completes the finalist submission by Thursday, October 26, at 11:59pm, will advance to the award selection round.  

Quality counts! Final award decisions will be based on the information shared in this submission. Nominees, be sure to answer every question fully and make the case for why you should be this year’s award recipient.

(3) Award Selection, October 30 to November 6

A panel of business leaders will review all finalist submissions and select this year’s award recipients based on the following criteria: 

  • Quality of the finalist submission 
  • Alignment with award criteria 
  • Overall diversity and equity 
  • The nominee’s community impact 

(4) Award recipients will be honored at the Best in Business Awards – Celebrating 110 Years of Excellence

Award celebration sponsored by Albemarle County – November 30 at The Forum Hotel