FAIRHOPE, Ala. (February 7, 2019) – The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 95th Annual Awards Ceremony at the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa Thursday, February 7, 2019. The award winners presented at the "Grand Celebration” are Soul Caffeine - Small Business of the Year, Gregg Wood with JBT Power - Community Leader, Mary Booth with iHeartMedia - Service Award, Martha Davidson - Ambassador of the Year and Meghan Battles - Young Professional of the Year. The Chamber would also like to recognize and thank the presenting sponsor, Thomas Hospital, Infirmary Health.

Small Business of the Year – Soul Caffeine

Soul Caffeine opened in November 2015 with the vision of bringing good coffee to the community with the hopes of connecting people with each other in a common place. Soul Caffeine is the epitome of how a small business can contribute to the community, represent core values and promote business. Soul Caffeine donates all tips to local ministries, mission organizations, and non-profits that benefit the local community. They also contribute to the Chamber by sponsoring the Ambassador program. Their mission is to change the community for the better which has been seen over the past three years. The coffee shop has grown to include a bakery and a coffee truck.

The Small Business of the Year Award was presented by PointClear Networks.

Community Leader – Gregg Wood with JBT Power

The Community Leader of the Year Award is given to someone who demonstrates community involvement along with personal development. Gregg Wood with JBT Power served 14 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent 14 years as a Chief Operating Officer for Daily Access Corporation in Mobile. In 2011, he purchased JBT Power Equipment in Daphne. During his ownership he has shown a passion for growing his business along with respect for his employees and excellent customer service. He also volunteers for the Spanish Fort Recreation Department on the weekends to assist with sport field preparations and maintenance of the facilities. Recently, he held a Celebration of Life fundraiser at his business for the family of a young Spanish Fort teenager who lost her life following a battle with cancer.

The Community Leader Award was presented by Coastal Alabama Community College.

Service Award – Mary Booth with iHeartMedia

The Service Award is presented to a member who provides exemplary services to the Chamber. Mary Booth with iHeartMedia is often seen attending Chamber events, a Grand Opening of a new business, church or enjoying time with her family. Mary plays a vital role in sponsoring the Chamber’s Baldwin County Career & Job Fair as well as the Jubilee Festival and is always willing to help spread the word about these two amazing events. She is always enthusiastic, ready to help and approaches every day with grace and the intent to do good. She can always be counted on to support those around her as well as the community.

The Service Award was presented by The Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa.

Ambassador of the Year – Martha Davidson with Thomas Hospital, Infirmary Health

Ambassadors volunteer many hours of service to represent the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and act as liaisons between the Chamber board, staff and the membership. Martha Davidson received this award for her contributions to the Chamber’s Student Training and Exploration Program and Youth Leadership and willingness to be a welcoming face to many of our new members. She has actively fundraised for those in need and helped start an orphanage in Costa Rica.

Ambassador of the Year was presented by Merrill Lynch - S. Wesley Carpenter, CPWA®, CFP®, ChFC®, CRPC®

Young Professional of the Year – Meghan Battles

Meghan Battles started working with Bancorp South in Spanish Fort of 2015. She immediately demonstrated great customer service which was noticed very early on. Battles was promoted to a position in the Fairhope branch and became involved in the Chamber as a member of the Young Professionals group and as an Ambassador. She often attends meetings, events and ribbon cuttings while representing the bank and Chamber. For the past two years, she has served as hospitality chair for the Jubilee Festival of Arts and has agreed to chair the festival committee for 2019 and 2020.

Young Professional of the Year was presented by Riviera Utilities.