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

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