Principal Mortgage and Publix Supermarkets in Vestavia Hills were named Businesses of the Year Jan. 14 by the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.
The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce recently honored two businesses for their outstanding commitment and service to the chamber and the whole community.
The chamber named Publix Supermarkets on U.S. 31 in Vestavia Hills as the 2013 Retail Business of the Year and Principal Mortgage LLC on Vestavia Parkway as the 2013 Service Business of the Year.
The awards were presented at the chamber’s annual awards luncheon at Vestavia Country Club on Jan. 14.
In order to be considered for the Retail and Service Business of the Year Awards, businesses must have good relationships with their customers and employees, be supportive of the Chamber of Commerce’s efforts and demonstrate civic involvement, chamber officials said.
In making the award presentation to Dave Quinn, manager of the Publix store in Vestavia Hills, Scott Perry, past chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, said the company has been an asset to the community since it opened.
“This company came to Vestavia Hills several years ago and quickly became an unbelievable partner to the city, the schools and the chamber,” Perry said.
Perry said he saw Quinn’s commitment to the community a few years ago when bad weather left Canyon Road blocked by fallen tree limbs and other debris.
“I was rushing home to bunker down with my family and as I’m going down Canyon Road, I see Dave Quinn and his employees out in the pouring rain moving tree limbs and other debris from the road,” he said. “Along with everything else the store does to help our community, that really spoke to the staff’s commitment to Vestavia Hills.”
Chamber President Karen Odle said Quinn “is an incredible representative for Publix” and that the city was fortunate to have businesses like the supermarket that are involved in supporting its economic well-being.
In the award presentation to Principal Mortgage, Perry said the company “has been a vital member of the chamber and a fixture in the community” for many years.
“Paul Sumner served as past Chamber chair, Roger Steur has served as a trustee the past three years and Mark Feild planned and participated in the Pumpkin Patch,” Perry said. “They’ve also participated in events like I Love America Day, Holiday in the Hills and Viva Vestavia.”
Additionally, the mortgage company has members on the chamber’s Business Development Committee, and four of its employees are graduates of Leadership Vestavia Hills.
“It’s a company that we lean on in so many ways for their service and leadership,” Perry said.
In addition to the Business of the Year Awards, the chamber also honored several other individuals and businesses at the Jan. 14 luncheon.
Mark Macoy of Mark W. Macoy LLC was presented with the President’s Award. Macoy serves as the secretary/legal counsel for the chamber’s board of directors.
“He has guided me through a lot this year, and he’s done it with a smile,” Odle said.
The 2013 Board Member of the Year Award went to James Robinson of Alagasco.
Kim Mangham-Barelare of SouthStar Properties LLC was named the Member of the Year.
The Volunteer of the Year Award went to Ben Chambliss of Jackson Howard & Whatley LLC.
