The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce recognized businesses and business persons who have demonstrated commitment to community building at the fifth annual Business Excellence Awards Ceremony, held on Saturday, October 25 at the Regency Theatre.
These prestigious awards are designed to honor outstanding Grand Bahamian businesses and executives. Nominations closed a few weeks ago, with several businesses from throughout the community nominated for the various awards. Highlighted by nominators were specific business and management practices and various companies' commitment to employees and the community.
There were six general categories for nomination: "Outstanding Business Person of the Year", "Developing Entrepreneur of the Year", "Company of the Year", "Philanthropic Business or Business Person of the Year" and "Lifetime Achievement Award". This year's nominees are:

Business Person of the Year
This year's nominees include Leigh Lightbourn-Termath (Bahama Buy & Sell), Peter Taylor (Express Food Mart), Larry Albury (Freeport Jet Wash), Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch (Grand Bahama Shipyard)
Developing Entrepreneur
Tim & Rebecca Tibbits (Flying Fish), Britney Baldwin (Sweet Affairs), Billie Bowe (Benchmark Consultants), and Ravano Ferguson (Fast Track Management).

Company of the Year - Large
Grand Bahama Shipyard Company and Sanitation Services Co. Ltd.

Company of the Year - Small
Sav Mor Drugs and Town and Country Maintenance Company.

Philanthropic Businessperson
Karen Clarke, Tip Burrows/GB Humane Society.

Lifetime Achievement
Anita Doherty and Peter Koll.
Final winners will be chosen by the Awards Committee based on several factors including: business age; nature of activities; historical performance - business achievements; contribution to Bahamian economy; management/employee relations; contribution to employment and employee training; commitment to fair and honest conduct in the marketplace and contribution to the community or a charity.
Previous winners include:
Lifetime Achievement
Award recipients: Harold "Sonny" Waugh & Sir Albert Miller, (2008), Rev. Havard Cooper (2009); T. Maitland Cates (2010) and Edward St. George (2011). Previous Business Person of the Year recipients are Cleveland Duncombe (2008), Donald "Don" Roberts (2009), Keith Rolle (2010), Jeremy Cafferata (2011).

Developing Entrepreneur of The Year recipients: Sally Gaskin & Sharon Glover (2008), Noel & Britton Clarke (2009), Peter Taylor (2010).

Company of The Year "Category A" recipients: Regional Air, (2008), BWA (Freeport) Ltd. (2009), Butler's Specialty Store (2010), MSC Bahamas (2011).

Company of The Year "B"recipients: Kelly's True Value (2008), Sawyers (2009), Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co. Ltd. (2010), Hutchison Port Holdings (2011).

Philanthropic Business Person of the Year recipients: Basil Neymour (2008), Frank Outten (2009), Waugh Construction (Bahamas) Ltd. (2010) Wallace & Georgette Groves Foundation (2111).

Business Student of the Year recipients: Bria Williams (2008), Dreshon Rolle (2009).

President's Award recipients: Star General Insurance (2008), Grand Bahama Shipyard (2009), Atlantic Medical Insurance Company & Hutchison Port Holding Group (2010), BORCO (2011).
The chamber will announce this year's winners during a gala awards ceremony at the Regency Theatre this weekend. The evening's event commences at 7 p.m., followed by a champagne after party. Tickets are on sale at the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce office. It can be reached at info@gbchamber.org or 352-8329.

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