Chamber announces recipients at press conference
The Pierce County Chamber of Commerce announced the 2026 recipients of the community STAR awards at a private press conference. The April 2 announcements took place in downtown Blackshear’s historic train station.
The press conference served only as the official announcement of this year’s winners. Each of the community members or businesses so recognized will be celebrated at a special ceremony during the upcoming chamber gala to be held at Eagle Station April 23. In her opening remarks, executive director of the chamber Christi Pitts said the awards “celebrate the people that make Pierce County such a wonderful place to live, work and grow”.
Some of the recipients were unable to attend, but their accomplishments were praised and recognized.
Guy Lee Daniel Washington was named 2025 Citizen of the Year. Introduced by Tony Batten, who also delivered the press conference’s opening invocation and was himself previously recognized as a citizen of the year, lifelong Pierce resident Washington’s many virtues and different areas of endeavor throughout his life were extolled. Selected for his “decades of service, leadership and mentorship” Washington was held up as a “businessman, educator, and good community servant” that taught valuable life skills and “influenced countless young men and women.” Batten related a personal story of when he was suffering from blood clots in his lungs, Washington came to him unprompted asking what he could do to help him. Washington’s friends and family were on hand to congratulate him on his crowning achievement.
The Business Leader of the Year was Steel & Metal Systems, Inc. (SAMS). Introduced by IDBA Director Blake James, the award was accepted by SAMS founder Lawson Coffee. County Commissioner David Lowman spoke in deep praise of Coffee’s work ethic, honesty and capability as a business leader. Beginning as a one man operation, ordering, unloading and building his first sale himself by hand, Coffee has built SAMS into a business that employs 125 people and fulfills contracts around the county. Lowman told the audience, “Ya’ll got no idea what this man means to me.” Turning to Coffee, he said, “You’re an amazing man to me.”
Better Hometown’s Bravo to Business Award was presented to Carly Popham of Esthetic Central. Popham could not attend the announcement due to a prior engagement but Better Hometown’s Bethany Strickland spoke warmly of how Popham at only 22 years old had turned her dream of being a business owner not just into a reality but into a thriving member of the downtown Blackshear business community.
The 2026 Farmer of the Year was Yeomans Farms. Accepting the award was on behalf of himself and his brother Charlie, who could not attend, was Brandon Yeomans. Introduced by Julie Walker of the UGA Extension and described in a passage composed by retired county agent James Jacobs as “a worthy individual who has spent a lifetime devoted to production agriculture”, Yeomans came to the podium with a grin and his acceptance speech drew chuckles from the crowd, finishing with his thanks “to everybody who eats peanuts and buys deer corn”.
The S. Dow Nimmer Award winner was Pam Brooks for her lifelong commitment and contributions to education and literacy. Introduced by former publisher of The Times, Robert Williams, Brooks’ 40 years in education were highlighted as well as her tireless fundraising for the Foundation for excellence in Education, which helps provide not only scholarships for high school graduates, but also support to educational professionals seeking to further their own educations, turning paraprofessionals into full-fledged teachers.
The Leona Dixon Bright Spot Award went to Robert Westberry for his generosity, good cheer and a “lifetime of service to the Lord”. Last surviving founding member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Westberry was not present at the press conference, but it was reported by his niece, Wanda Strickland, when asked how he was doing, the good-natured giver said he was hard at work on his 105th birthday.
The Huel P. Walker Educator of the Year was Julie Griner of Patterson Elementary, where she has worked tirelessly and never seeking recognition for 21 years. Assistant Principal Brandi Metts introduced Griner as “a steady light” there “for others to lean on”. When asked about her, coworkers described her as creative, flexible, sweet and faithful.
The winner of the Dr. Katherine Hendry Community Health Award was Kellie Beard, FNP-BC of B Well Family Practice. Surprised by the announcement, Beard thought she was present just to support her husband as the newest member of the chamber’s board. Beard’s many selfless contributions to community health were recognized, including offering healthcare at no cost to women and mothers who could not otherwise afford it and for keeping the doors of her clinic open during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
The Love Like Lanna Award went to Jessica Chadwick for embodying the spirit of love, care and dedication embodied by beloved departed principal Lanna Denison. The award was presented by Denison’s daughter, Maggie Denison Hardy, who praised Griner for “having the same heart”. Chadwick’s acceptance speech was emotional and through tears she said, “I’m so honored to be a part of Pierce County and to love these kids.”
The Barber’s Pharmacy Years of Service Award was presented to Betty Riggins of Blackshear Floral Shop. One of Blackshear’s pioneering women business owners in the the 1970s, Riggins’ work ethic was described as having “elevated a flower shop into a cornerstone of Blackshear itself. Sharon Godwin said Riggin’s arrangements “had a distinct touch that could not be imitated” and praised her “steadfast presence” as the longest serving business on Main Street.
