Chamber of Commerce

Small Business Leadership Award

The Small Business Leadership Award was established by William Carey University and the Area Development Partnership in 1990 to recognize the important contributions small businesses make to the economic, social and cultural life of the community and the particular achievements of one individual or family. The award is given in memory of Dr. Joe Roberts, former professor of communications at William Carey University. Dr. Roberts was also a successful businessman and one of the founders of Aycock-Roberts Furniture.

The Small Business Leadership Award recognizes outstanding ADP-member small businesses within Greater Hattiesburg.  These businesses have helped pave the way for the area through community involvement, leadership and outstanding service. Nominations for the Small Business Leadership Award are now being accepted.  You can download a nomination form here, which indicates the criteria for nominees.  The recipient of the 2012 Small Business Leadership Award will be recognized at a luncheon held in their honor on May 2, 2012.  Nominees will also  be recognized at this time as well as past award recipients.

View photos from the 2011 Small Business Leadership Award Luncheon.

Dr. Tommy King (William Carey University) shakes hands with award recipient Phil Hanberry (Hanco Corporation), with Chris Hudson (Hanco Corporation) and Chad Newell (Area Development Partnership)

Past Award Recipients:

1990 - Mr Jack Simmons, Simmons Furniture Co.
1991 - Mr. Robert E. Donnell, Jr., Vital Care Compounder
1992 - Ms. Jan Lacy, Copy Cats Printing
1993 - Mr. Butch Brown, Parris Jewelers
1994 - Ms. Gwen James, Coldwell Banker
1995 - Mr. Carl Amones, Amones Realty & Tax Service
1996 - Mr. David Rumbarger, Area Development Partnership
1997-98 - Mr. Doug McLelland, McLelland Television Co.
1999 - Mr. Glenn E. Galey, The Galey Agency, Inc.
2000 - Mr. Allen Anderson, Anderson Retail, Inc.
2001 - Mr. Steven L. Floyd, Steve Floyd Properties, Inc.
2002 - Myric Family, Economy Supply Company
2003 - Mr. Gene Owens, Owens Business Machines
2004 - Dews Family, C.L. Dews & Sonds Foundry & Machine Co., Inc.
2006 - Robert St. John, Mid-South Restaurant Group
2007 - Wayne Ross, Commercial Stationery Company
2009 - Dennis Pierce, Piercon, Inc.
2010 - Greg and Steve Moore, Moore Funeral Service
2011 - Phil Hanberry and Chris Hudson, Hanco Corporation