Chamber recognizes business leaders, welcomes new board chair at 120th anniversary celebration
The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce held its annual signature event, Celebrate!, on Nov. 14 to mark its 120th anniversary while recognizing the area's top business leaders.
Additionally, Orv Dothage of Northrop Grumman was recognized as the new chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, receiving the gavel from Immediate Past Chair Berta Odom of Team 100 Realty.
To celebrate 120 years of the Chamber, Rep. John Rutherford provided a proclamation on the Congressional Record, attendees viewed a timeline showcasing important events in the Chamber's history, and local actors provided a glimpse into the early 1900s when the Chamber got its start as the St. Augustine Board of Trade.
Chamber President and CEO Isabelle Renault and Berta Odom presented four awards to Chamber members:
- Marty Lewis Ambassador of the Year Award — Brian Walker, AIT Environmental Technology
- Small Business of the Year — Culver's St. Augustine
- Fred Schroeder Economic Development Council Member of the Year — Baptist Health
- Member of the Year — Historic Tours of America
Marty Lewis Ambassador of the Year — Brian Walker
In the last three years, Brian has attended or volunteered at more than 100 events and ribbon cuttings. He also mentors new Ambassadors, helping them develop their roles as catalysts for business connections as they engage new Chamber members. The Chamber Ambassadors are volunteers who assist with welcoming new members and visiting renewing members each year.
Small Business of the Year — Culver's St. Augustine
Garth and Lisa Darton's restaurant on U.S. 1 South was recognized as one of the Top 5 Culver's in the country by receiving the Crew Challenge Award, which acknowledges areas of quality, service, cleanliness, hospitality, community outreach, and team member training and development. The Dartons also opened another Culver's location off FL 16 earlier this year.
Fred Schroeder Economic Development Council Member of the Year — Baptist Health
The hospital continues to expand and enhance health care options in St. Johns County. Earlier this year the Baptist Health / Wolfson Children’s Hospital opened a dual Emergency Room and Imaging Center. The 23,879-square-foot facility features two emergency centers under one roof – Baptist Emergency Center for adults and Wolfson Children’s Emergency Center, designed specifically for patients ages 0 to 17. This expansion complements Baptist's new primary care facilities in the Murabella and Beachwalk communities. The primary care facility in South Hampton is also undergoing significant expansion and renovation. Baptist also has plans for another facility in Silverleaf.
Member of the Year — Historic Tours of America
Historic Tours of America, parent company of Old Town Trolley Tours and several other St. Augustine attractions, has been a key supporter of the Chamber’s Autism Certification efforts over the past year. They were the first business in St. Johns County to achieve the Certified Autism Center designation, which demonstrates a commitment to creating more inclusive, accommodating and welcoming environments for neurodivergent individuals and their families. All of the company’s local attractions, including Old Town Trolley Tours, Old Jail, Oldest Store Museum Experience, St. Augustine History Museum, and Potter's Wax Museum, achieved the certification. The Certified Autism Center designation by these organizations marks a significant step forward for the larger movement and makes St. Johns County an inclusive, welcoming destination for both visitors and residents. The company’s leadership and example have encouraged nine other local tourism and hospitality businesses to complete the certification process, bringing us closer to the goal of St. Johns County becoming a Certified Autism Destination.
Photos of the event are available on the Chamber's Facebook page.