TIFTON — Members of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce gathered at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center once again on Feb. 1 for their chamber banquet.

Melody Cowart, chamber president, began the evening’s events by thanking all of the people and organizations that had supported the chamber in 2023.

”Our chamber’s success ties back to the unwavering devotion of our people and the future of this community, first and foremost; thank you for all that you do daily,” Cowart said. “It is our chamber’s mission to support and promote local business, sustain a positive business environment, and preserve the quality of life for our businesses and residents.”

As with past chamber banquets, eight chamber members were recognized for their accomplishments in the previous year and beyond, receiving awards for their hard work and dedication to the chamber and Tiftarea community.

Amanda Brack of Quality Employment Services received the Chamber Ambassador of the Year Award, honoring her extensive involvement in chamber events throughout the past year.

Becky Smith with Ameris Bank was awarded the Prince Business Woman of the Year Award due to her expertise in her profession and support of her community. Heather Stripling, presenter, noted that Smith had approximately 26 years of experience in the banking industry in various positions, and had worked with numerous organizations and nonprofits both in and out of the community to bring several events and fundraisers to Tifton.

Dallas Hunt was proud to present the John Hunt Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Buddy Bryan of Utilico Railroad Services, attesting that Bryan had been a hard worker all his life and put that dedication to work in building Utilico to the successful business it was today.

Conger LP Gas, Inc. earned the Rotary Ethics in Business Award for their ethical business behavior and care for the community’s wellbeing. Dan Richardson, president of Conger, received the award as representative of his business.

The J. Lamar Branch Award, given to “rookie” chamber members who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, went to Ashley Mobley of Labor Finders. As he announced Mobley as the recipient, presenter Ron Branch attested to her “go-getter” attitude, resourcefulness, and exceptional management skills.

Richard Golden received the Stafford Award to congratulate his dedication to business leadership and economic development, demonstrated through his past services on several city and county boards and continued support of economic development projects in the community, bringing new jobs and several million dollars back into the Tiftarea.

Butch Davis and Pait Willis were recognized posthumously for their vital contributions to Georgia’s banking industry, both being named to the chamber’s Wall of Fame.

Davis was the former president and CEO of First Community Bank in Tifton, while Willis helped found South Georgia Banking Company and expand it to serve Georgians across six counties. Their families received their awards and distinctions on their behalf.

Lastly, Chris Efaw handed the position of chamber executive board chair over to his successor, Coca-Cola UNITED Manager Charlie Yawn. In doing so, Efaw recounted the amazing potential he had witnessed in seeing Tifton’s community band together, and he thanked his fellow chamber members for allowing him to be part of that.

Yawn likewise thanked the Tiftarea for making him and his family feel like a part of the community, and was certain the chamber was a vital contributor to that. He was honored to be taking the position of board chair, and was confident he would help the chamber do great things in the coming year.