West Orange Chamber Prestigious Awards

2009, 2012, 2015 Florida Chamber of the Year Award

The Chamber of the Year Award recognizes the accomplishments of WOCC on a wide range of achievements including advocacy, marketing, programming, and financial stability. The WOCC is a three-time winner of the FACP Chamber of the Year Award. The last time was in 2015. “I’m ecstatic,” said Stina D’Uva, President/CEO of the West Orange Chamber. “In a way, we have won this award three times in a row. Each chamber must wait three years after winning Chamber of the Year to re-submit. The entire Chamber membership deserves this award for embracing the Chamber’s purpose of ‘Facilitating Opportunity’ and continually demonstrating it. I am so very proud of this honor for our organization.”

The Sam Hovsepian Award

This is given in memory of one of West Orange’s outstanding citizens the award goes to a man who “stands head and shoulders above the crowd” for contributions, service, and leadership in the community.

Previous winners:

2023 – Bill Cowles
2022 – Jim Forrester
2021 – Commissioner Joseph McMullen, Town of Oakland
2019 – Ken Harker
2018 – Dennis Foltz
2017 – David Billsborough
2016 – John Rinehart
2015 – Larry Cappleman
2014 – Mayor Gary Bruhn
2013 – Tim Haberkamp
2012 – Bob Gosselin
2011 – Ted VanDeventer
2010 – David Sylvester
2009 – Michael Waldrop
2008 – Rob Maphis
2007 – Neal Harris
2006 – A. Kurt Ardaman
2005 – Walter Toole
2004 – Derek Blakeslee
2003 – Preben Olesen
2002 – Ted DeWitt
2001 – Richard Irwin, Health Central
2000 – Jon VanderLey

The Mary Vandeventer Award, “The Spirit of West Orange”

This award is given to a woman who demonstrates excellence in her profession and inspires other women to succeed. She must contribute time and talent for the betterment of the West Orange community.

Previous winners:

2023 – Krista Carter
2022 – Landra Wormack
2021 – Lynetta Tipton Steed
2019 – Ellen Korbin
2018 – Geegee Burmeister
2017 – Jennifer Campbell
2016 – Eva Tukdarian
2015 – Carol Willard
2014 – Dr. Barbara Jenkins
2013 – Kay Cappleman
2012 – Linda Osterberg
2011 – Martha Lopez Anderson
2010 – Lisa Richards
2009 – Mary Anne Swickerath
2008 – Deb Linden
2007 – Pam Gould
2006 – Judy Black

George Bailey Award

This award is given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in fostering partnerships for the benefit of the local community.

Previous winners:

2023 – Orlando Magic
2022 – Kristi Gomen
2021 – Joe Dunn
2019 – Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
2018 – Heichel Plumbing
2017 – Chick-fil-A
2016 – Reed Nissan
2015 – Mike Armbruster
2014 – Dick Batchelor, Dick Batchelor Management Group, Inc.
2013 – Julie Sachez – MetroWest Master Association
2012 – Lori Gibson – Winter Garden Heritage Foundation
2011 – Mayor Teresa Jacobs
2010 – Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd
2009 – Robert Holston
2008 – Bill Criswell
2007 – Paul McGarigal
2006 – Jerry Van Dyke
2005 – Jim Thomas & Jack Amon

Bert Roper Award

This award is given in recognition as a champion who has improved the well-being and quality of life of our community

Previous winners:

2023 – Dennis Jones
2022 – Shepherd’s Hope
2021 – West Orange Healthcare District
2019 – Christian Service Center
2018 – Teresa Jacobs
2017 – Becky Roper & Charlie Roper
2016 – Mary Keating
2015 – Bread of Life Fellowship
2014 – Matthew’s Hope Ministries, Inc.
2013 – Mona Phipps
2012 – Dr. Sanford Shugart
2011 – Time Keating
2010 – Lori Burshan
2009 – The Johnny Damon Foundation
2008 – Bill Barnes
2007 – Randy June
2006 – Dan Petro
2005 – Richard Irwin

Danniel J. Petro – The Bright Future of West Orange

In recognition of entrepreneurial tenacity and steadfast determination that facilitates opportunity through investment in community and lifelong relationships that keeps our future bright

Previous winners:

2023 – Skip Brown
2022 – Simon T. Bailey
2021 – JoAnne Quarles
2019 – Jim Karr
2018 – Lynn Walker Wright
2017 – Gary Shif
2016 – Congressman Daniel J. Webster
2015 – Russ Salerno
2014 – Randy June
2013 – Walter Toole
2012 – Danniel J. Petro

WOCC Chairman’s Award

This award honors individuals who have given exceptional service to the chamber and the community during the previous year.

Previous winners:

2023 – Frank Adams
2022 – Mayor Kathy Stark, and Rob Frank, City of Ocoee Manage
2021 – Commissioner Bakari Burns, City of Orlando
2020 – Deb Linden, Chuck Whittall & Mayor Jerry Demings
2019 – Dawn Willis
2018 – Mike Bollhoefer
2017 – Rob Maphis
2016 – University of Central Florida
2015 – Apple Air Conditioning & Heating
2014 – Betsy VanderLey, DRMP, Inc.
2013 – Dorcas Dillard, Professional Opportunities Program for Students & Gosselin Realty
2012 – Jim Densmore; Parkland International Realty
2011 – Lynette Reynolds
2010 – David Billsborough
2009 – June Engineering
2008 – Chesta Hembrooke
2007 – Shelly Weidenhamer
2006 – Progress Energy
2005 – Dianne Southwell & Bob Hennen
2004 – Michael Waldrop
2003 – Julie Bateman & Pamela Gould
2002 – Diane Trees and Neal Harris
2001 – Gary Allington, Bell South
2000 – Russ Salerno & Neal Harris

Ambassador of the Year Award

This award is given in recognition of endless dedication, energy, and service to the West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Previous winners:

2023 – Jo Barsh
2019 – Pam Birdsong
2018 – Chris Garcia
2017 – Denise Fisher
2016 – Kathleen Roat
2015 – Dorcas Dillard
2014 – Jim Densmore
2013 – Lenny Stark
2012 – Anette Luck
2011 – Lori Burshan
2010 – Jaclyn Whiddon
2009 – Cara Hennen
2008 – Joan Bailey
2007 – JoAnne Quarles
2006 – Chesta Hembrooke
2005 – Pat Gleason
2004 – Rev. Tom Rutherford

Business Member of the Year Award

This award is given to a member business that has worked to enhance the business climate within the West Orange Community and has exceeded expectations in volunteer assignments

Previous winners:

2023 – Big Business of the Year: Sysco Central Florida
2023 – Small Business of the Year: Luminary Tax Advisors
2022 – Big Business of the Year: Thermo King of the Southeast
2022 – Small Business of the Year: Computer Business Consultants
2021 – Big Business Member of the Year: Seacoast Bank
2021 – Small Business of the Year: State Farm Insurance – Jo Barsh Insurance Agency, LLC
2020 – Big Business Member of the Year: Florida Blue
2020 – Small Business of the Year: Empire Finish Systems
2019 – Big Business: SeaWorld
2019 – Small Business: Cannonfire Photography
2018 – Big Business: Duke Energy
2018 – Small Business: Boyd Development Corporation
2017 – Big Business: Florida Hospital
2017 – Small Business: Pammie’s Sammies
2016 – Big Business: Manheim Orlando
2016 – Small Business: Aflac – Denise Fisher
2015 – Big Business: Walt Disney World
2015 – Small Business: Observer Media Group
2015 Finalists: Aflac – Denise Fisher, Pammie’s Sammies, Lek Technology Consultants
2014 – Big Business: Clear Channel Outdoor
2014 – Small Business: The Whiddon Group, LLC
2014 Finalists: Boost Marketing, LLC, The Digital CPA and The West Orange Times & Observer
2013 – Big Business: CenturyLink
2013 – Small Business: Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
2013 Finalists: MetroWest Golf Club, NeuroSpine Institute and The Digital CPA
2012 – Big Business: Orlando Health
2012 – Small Business: DRB Benefits Group
2012 Finalists – Best Cleaners, ComRes industries, Inc., DRB Benefits Group, Hardee’s, Lake Apopka Natural Gas Distrtic, The Original Sign Factory, Orlando Health and Rural/Metro Ambulance of Central Florida
2011 – Big Business: Universal Orlando
2011 – Small Business: Best Cleaners
2011 Finalists – DRB Benefits Group, William K. Fravel DMD, Hillcrest Insurance Agency, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District and R.C. Stevens Construction
2010 – Bright Future Electric
2009 – University of Central Florida
2008 – DRB Benefits Group
2007 – Regions Bank
2006 – Sign Farm
2005 – Veranda Partners
2004 – Florida Auto Auction
2003 – Alarie Design
2002 – The West Orange Times
2001 – Ken Cone, Florida Power
2000 – Walt Disney World Company

Jerry Chicone Award

This award is given in recognition of establishing a philanthropic legacy for enhancing and improving our community

Previous winners:

2012 – Hapco Music Foundation
2011 – Dr. Bob Foster
2010 – Darrell Gardner
2009 – Gavin & Annette Ford/Covelli Enterprises
2008 – Walt Disney World
2007 – Derek Blakeslee with the Bond Foundation
2006 – The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation
2005 – West Orange Junior Service League

Lifetime Director

The executive committee of the chamber upon due consideration of a board member’s accomplishments on behalf of the chamber may recommend a board member in good-standing for a lifetime director award.

A lifetime director receives complimentary membership for his/her lifetime, a plaque, his/her name added to the perpetual plaque, and is granted attendance to all board meetings, however is not permitted to vote. This does not preclude a lifetime director from being appointed to a voting seat on the board, but it shall not increase the set number of board seats as described in the by-laws.

Lifetime Directors:

Diane Trees
Jim Densmore
Jim Neumayer
Julie Kleffel
Kurt Ardaman
Madeline “Kay” Behrens
Neal Harris
Richard Irwin
Russ Salerno

Lifetime Ambassador

The ambassador committee of the chamber upon due consideration of a chamber ambassador’s accomplishments on behalf of the chamber may recommend an ambassador in good-standing for a lifetime ambassador award.

A lifetime ambassador receives complimentary membership for his/her lifetime, a plaque, and his/her name added to the perpetual plaque.

Lifetime Ambassadors:

2022 – Jim Densmore
2021 – Joan Bailey
2019 – Pat Gleason
2013 – Father Tom Rutherford – Church of the Messiah
2012 – Joanne Quarles; Treasure Title Insurance Agency, Inc.

Lifetime Member

The executive committee of the chamber upon due consideration of a chamber member’s accomplishments on behalf of the chamber may recommend a chamber member in good-standing for a lifetime member award.

A lifetime member receives complimentary membership for his/her lifetime, a plaque, and his/her name added to the perpetual plaque.

Lifetime Members:

Home Team Pest Defense
Jim Neumayer
Jim Thomas – Biosphere Consulting, Inc.
Neal Harris
The Bailey family
Woodlawn Memorium