The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce held their Installation Dinner and Awards Banquet on January 30, 2014 at the Palm Bay Hospital according to Victoria Northrup, president & CEO. (Palm Bay Chamber image)
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA — The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce held their Installation Dinner and Awards Banquet on January 30 at Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital.
The sponsors for this event included Florida Air Academy, Florida Power and Light and Florida Tech.
The 2015 Board of Directors was installed that evening with the oath of office performed by the Honorable A.B. Majeed, Brevard County Court judge.
Lynda Weatherman, CEO for the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, and Susan Mazza, owner of Clarus Works, were the keynote speakers for the evening.
Florida Tech was awarded Large Business of the Year, and Joe Raley State Farm Insurance won Small Business of the Year.
Distinguished Service was awarded to former Palm Bay Police Chief Doug Muldoon.
Vicki Northrup
“The annual Installation and Awards Dinner was well attended by the business and civic leaders in our community,” said Victoria Northrup, president & CEO.
“And the announcement of the business winners, which is always kept under tight wraps until the night of the event, is always an exciting element to the evening.”
Platinum Palm was awarded to George Geletko and the Golden Palm award was presented to Danny Timothy of El Chico’s Mexican Restaurant.
New this year the Palm Bay Chamber awarded their first Diamond Palm which went to Health First for their commitment to the community.
Ambassador of the year was presented to Stephany Boucher of Health First and Volunteer of the year went to the Tina and Jim Sheehan.
In addition, a special recognition was given to Puneet Kupar of Holiday Inn Express.
Rob Medina, legislative aide to Congressman Posey, was on hand to distribute congressional certificates to all of the winners that evening.
Dr. Jeff MonteLeon
“It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to recognize and celebrate the contributions of such great companies,” said 2014 chairman Dr. Jeff MonteLeon.
“All of our winners continue to demonstrate their commitment and dedication to the business community and our organization. The Greater Palm Bay Chamber is proud of these chamber partners and excited to have the opportunity to present them with 2014’s Business of The Year and Palm Awards.”
The 2015 Board of Directors include:
• Tarilyn Fazekas, Health First – Board Chair • Puneet Kapur, Holiday Inn Express – Incoming Board of the Chair
Joe Raley
• Josh Zaradona, Wellcare – Secretary • George Geletko, Waste Management – Treasurer • Dr. Jeff MonteLeon, LifeForce Chiropractic – Immediate Past Chair • Danny Timothy, El Chico’s Mexican Restaurant – Vice Chair • Olivia Gladnick, Glad Eyecare – Vice Chair • Vicki Mays, PIP Printing – Vice Chair • Chris Robinson, ONE Insurance Group – Vice Chair •Gabe Garcia, Einstein’s Bagels – Director • Stockton Whitten, Brevard County Manager – Director • Rob Wilson, R&S Water – Director • Cindy Forstall, Wells-Fargo – Director • Rob Salonen, Florida Tech – Director • Cindy Forstall, Wells-Fargo – Director • Joe Aguiar, Portuguese Corner Store – Director • Darryl Gilbert, Florida Power and Light – Director
The Ex Officio members include Mayor Carl Beatty Town of Malabar; Melbourne International Airport; City of Palm Bay; Ross Whitley, Berman Hopkins; Florida Tech; Nick Tsamoutales, City of Palm Bay; Dr. Beverley Slaughter, Eastern Florida State College; and Scott Morgan, City of West Melbourne.
The Greater Palm Bay Chamber of Commerce, formed in 1989, has over 1,400 active, prospective and courtesy members and is the only chamber of commerce in the US that is aligned with a sister chamber in Cashel, Ireland. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the organization.
The 2015 Palm Bay Chamber Trustees include Health-First, Waste Management, City of Palm Bay, Florida Power & Light, Florida Tech, Peninsula Title, Intersil and Wellcare.
The sponsors for this event included Florida Air Academy, Florida Power and Light and Florida Tech.
