The who’s-who of professionals and business people in Williamsburg are being recognized at the Greater Williamsburg Business Council’s inaugural “15 Under 50” awards ceremony Thursday.
“The award was created to honor up and coming business and civic leaders in Greater Williamsburg who are thriving in their respective industries and impacting the community at large,” according to the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance’s website.
Carter Johnson is a spokesman for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance and said the committee initially wanted to highlight up and coming leaders in the community but decided to extend the age to 50 to capture established leaders who’ve “made Greater Williamburg what it is today.”
The goal is “to honor and commend leaders of today while also highlighting leaders of tomorrow,” Johnson said.
After this year’s call for nominees through their membership newsletter and social media pages garnered an overwhelming response, Johnson said the council hopes to give out the award annually.
Johnson said residents should stay tuned to their social media pages on Facebook and Twitter to learn how they can nominate their neighbors or favorite shop owners for next year’s award.
A sub-15 under 50-committee was created to narrow the field down to 28 nominees, and then will select the 15 winners to be honored at the Nov. 7 ceremony.
Here are the nominees:
- Kristin Baum – Vice President, GuernseyTingle
- Gretchen Bedell – Lady in Charge, Odd Moxie, LLC
- Lynne Boole – Director of Operations, AA Conscientious Carpet Care, Inc.
- Ron Campana, Jr. – Associate Broker, Campana Waltz Commercial Real Estate, LLC
- Melinda Cousins – Owner, Backyard Birder Seed & Supply, LLC
- Melissa Davidson – Assistant Director, York County Economic Development Authority
- Michele DeWitt – Director, Williamsburg Economic Development Authority
- Agnieszka Drygala – Owner, Williamsburg Salt Spa
- Sean Dunn – Chief of Police, Williamsburg
- Ben Ellington – Vice President, Regional Commercial Loan Officer, Chesapeake Bank
- Earl Granger III – Associate Vice President for Development, College of William & Mary
- Susan Harmon – Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
- Erin Johnston – Strategic Account Manager Assistant VP, Chesapeake Payment Systems
- Chris Jump – Owner, Anvil Campground
- Geoff Logan – Managing Director, Alewerks Brewing Company
- Nathan Mortier – Lawyer, Mellette PC Health Care Attorneys
- Lara Overy – Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Williamsburg
- Amber Saloka – Business Development Officer/ Associate VP, Chesapeake Bank
- Dr. Brent Segeleon – Owner, Colonial Eye Care
- Jeff Skinner – Owner, Streamline Roofing
- Leslie Skinner – Chief Financial Officer, Skinner Law Office
- Brian Smalls – President & CEO, Cornerstone Estate Planners
- Chris Smith – Co-Founder, The Virginia Beer Company
- Andrew Trivette – City Manager, Williamsburg
- Adria Vanhoozier – Vice President/Administrator, Riverside Doctors’ Hospital
- LaTonya Wallace-Conyers – Owner, ALC Concepts, LLC
- Melanie Wynkoop – Project Manager, Chesapeake Bank
- Benming Zhang – Councilman, Williamsburg
