Highlights of the evening included the 2020-2021 Chairman awards presentation and an address by the 2022 Chairwoman.
The Cobb Chamber of Commerce celebrated its many accomplishments of 2021 at the 80th Annual Dinner celebration, presented by Wellstar, on Jan. 29 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Over 1,000 business and community leaders attended the black-tie optional dinner affair, including military leaders, economic development partners and elected officials. Brian Bohannon of Kennesaw State University served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
The evening included a robust program, including outgoing Chairman, John Loud of LOUD Security Systems, Inc., passing the leadership to 2022 Chairwoman Britt Fleck of Georgia Power. In his address, Loud celebrated the collective efforts of the Chamber and how it served as a champion for businesses and the community over the past year.
During the evening, Loud presented several prestigious awards to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance the quality of the Chamber’s programming and the quality of life in Cobb.
The 2022 Len Gilbert Award was given to Stephen Vault of Wellstar Health System. This award is presented to an outstanding board member who, through his or her leadership, commitment and dedication, achieved new heights for a Chamber program or event. Vault was honored for his work as the SelectCobb Board Chairman. During 2021, Vault elevated Cobb’s economic development efforts and strengthened strategic partnerships in the county and the state. Under his leadership, the SelectCobb initiative had a record-setting year with the most active project pipeline ever and most completed projects in its history.
Loud’s final award of the evening, the Chairman’s Award, was presented to Jay Cunningham of Superior Plumbing, whose investment in the Marquee Monday event series, Chamber Membership Campaign, and Workforce Development efforts were recognized for its significant impact within the Chamber and Cobb community. Cunningham has led the Cobb Workforce Partnership for the past two years, in which he successfully launched their strategic plan, a workforce development summit, and expanded the Chamber’s target industry councils.
The Marietta Daily Journal presented its prestigious 2022 Cobb County Citizen of the Year Award to Derek Schiller, Mike Plant, and Alex Anthopoulos of the Atlanta Braves. The Marietta Daily Journal has presented this award since 1963 at the Cobb Chamber Annual Dinner.
The 80th Annual Dinner was presented by Wellstar. The invocation was offered by Jon Ingram, Development Director of Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Mike Jones Entertainment provided music and entertainment following the program, while JJA Project Management provided audiovisual and event production services. The rest of the event’s sponsors included: Brasfield & Gorrie, Georgia Power, Lockheed Martin and LOUD Security Systems, Inc. as Diamond Sponsors; Four Hats Inc. as the Reception Sponsor; MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service as the Wine Sponsor; Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as the Coffee and Dessert Sponsor; LGE Community Credit Union as the Entertainment Sponsor; Ameris Bank, Arylessence, Cobb EMC, and Kennesaw State University as Ruby Sponsors; JJA Project Management as the Production Sponsor; Cobb Galleria Centre as the Host Sponsor; AT&T, Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, CDH Partners, Croy Engineering, Cumberland CID, Fifth Third Bank, Gas South, Genuine Parts Company, Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers, LLC, The Home Depot, Life University, Mauldin & Jenkins, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Pinnacle Orthopaedics, S.A. White Oil Company, Inc., Smith + Howard, SouthState Bank, Taylor English Decisions, Taylor English Duma, Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique, TK Elevator, Town Center CID, and Truist as Emerald Sponsors. Special gifts were provided by Cumberland Diamond Exchange.
For more information about the 2022 Annual Dinner, contact Michele Howard, Executive Vice President of Member and Community Programs at 770-859-2345 or mhoward@cobbchamber.org.
