Dick James Small Business of the Year Award
Dick James was the President of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce 1987-1994. He dedicated his life to supporting businesses and bettering the community. He was often the motivation behind many businesses moving to Newton County. It is with great pride this Small Business of the Year was dedicated in his honor.
Dick James Award History
Dick James was the former President of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce. He moved to Covington in 1987 and retired from the Chamber in 1994. He was well respected within the Chamber industry, as well as within each and every community he served. He began his career in Chamber work in 1957 and from that point, worked for ten chambers, seven of which he served as President. He dedicated his life to supporting businesses and bettering the community. He was often the motivation behind many businesses moving to Newton County. For those ofus that knew Dick, we remember that he never met a stranger and was loved by all.
Dick was a mentor to many in the Chamber business and was held in the highest honor by the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in 1994, winning the Kent Lawrence Presidential Award. He served as president of that organization from 1970-1971 and received the designation as a Certified Chamber Executive from the American Chamber of Commerce Executives in 1972. DeKalb Tech also honored him locally in 1995, as being instrumental in their decision to establish a campus in Newton County. It is with great pride that we dedicate the Small Business of the Year in his honor.
Dick James Small Business of the Year Award Past Winners
1998 Ricky Mock – Mock Pallet
1999 Sam B. Hay, Jr. – Sunbelt Builders, Inc.
2000 Tom Bailey – Colony Realty
2001 Jim Stalvey – Jim Stalvey’s Restaurants
2002 Phil Stone – Option Care
2003 Brandon Vaughan – Stevi B’s Pizza
2004 Gary Mosely – Mosely Electric
2005 Phil Johnson – Covington Athletic Club and Fitness Center
2006 Denny Hewell / Jason Smith / Shane Millwood – Steele Co. Buildings, Inc.
2007 Michael St. Bernard – Longhorn Steakhouse of Covington
2008 Terry Ozburn – Ozburn Electric Contractors, Inc.
2009 Jeremy Shearer – Beyond Exterminating
2010 The Merryvale Assisted Living
2011 Current Events Productions
2012 Bradley’s Bar-B-Que
2013 Mystic Falls Tours
2014 Sunbelt Builders
2015 Next Play Promotions
2016 Infinity Network Solutions
2017 Kwik Change Lube and Service
2018 High Priority Plumbing and Services
2019 The Oaks Course
2020 United Bank
2021 Berry’s Tree Farm
2022 Boost Trampoline Park