Annual Awards Reception

 

In addition to celebrating the installation of its new officers -- Chairman Renee Rountree, Vice Chair Danny Hughes and Treasurer Bob Moore Jr. -- the chamber will present its annual Business of the Year award, the Grace Keen Distinguished Community Service Award, and Teacher of the Year.

The chamber named Smithfield resident Gina Ippolito recipient of the 2017 Grace Keen Distinguished Community Service Award. Ippolito and her family serve the community through Smithfield VA Events, which puts on three signature events per year, bringing people into town from all over the country. SVAE events benefits many local non-profit groups, and SVAE has donated more than $623,000 to the community. Ippolito also is extremely involved with the Windsor Castle Park Foundation, raising money for maintenance and improvements in the park.

Past recipients of the community service award are:
2012: Grace Keen
2013: Rudolph Barlow
2014: Larry Pope
2015: Mary Fox
2016:Jeff Black and Community Harvest Outreach

The Cockeyed Rooster Cafe in Smithfield was recognized as the 2017 Business of the Year. The Cockeyed Rooster was honored for leading an influx of successful new restaurants in Smithfield, and contributing to local organizations and causes.