New chamber award recognizes entrepreneurs

Credit: Mike Conley/nconley@mcdowellnews.com

On Thursday, the McDowell Chamber of Commerce presented the first ever Tom Johnson Entrepreneurial Award. Beth Burleson and Kevin Griffin of Johnson, Price & Sprinkle (far left) announced the winners. The recipients are (from left) Debra and Frank Boldon of South Creek Vineyards & Winery, Nancy Spencer of Spencer’s Hardware, Nasim and Anwer Gillani of Samir Enterprises, Fred Rabon and Tom McMahan of Marion Pharmacy, Eugene Holland of Marion Tire and Becky Poteat of Premier Insurance. Fellow recipients Dr. John Owens of Animal Hospital of Marion and Sarah Davis of Linville Caverns were not available for the presentation and photo.

By Mike Conley
Published: December 07, 2009

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The McDowell Chamber of Commerce honored eight outstanding entrepreneurs Thursday evening with a new award named after one of McDowell's most successful business owners.
At a special reception, the chamber presented the first ever Tom Johnson Entrepreneurial Awards. They are named in honor of the businessman who founded Tom Johnson Camping Center, which has been recognized as the top recreational vehicle dealer in the nation. Appropriately enough, the reception was held at the Tom Johnson Camping Service Center in Pleasant Gardens.
The certified public accounting firm of Johnson, Price & Sprinkle (JPS) worked with the chamber to create the new awards.
"An entrepreneur, according to Wikipedia, is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea, and assumes significant accountability for the inherent risks and the outcome," said Beth Burleson of JPS. "He or she is an ambitious leader who combines land, labor and capital to often create and market new goods or services. Tom (Johnson) has exhibited such leadership as have all the businesses being recognized tonight."
Kevin Griffin of JPS said the award winners were based on the positive revenue growth they experienced. The applications were reviewed by chamber staff and a member of the Business Development Committee.
The winners are listed as follows, along with a brief description:
n Animal Hospital of Marion, which provides veterinary services and pet boarding. The business was established in 2004 and employs 18 full-time and three part-time workers. Dr. John Owens, co-owner, was unable to accept the award Thursday.
n Linville Caverns is a popular tourist attraction in the area and is North Carolina's only public caverns. Established in the 1930s, the attraction employs 31 full-time and 14 part-time workers. Sarah Davis, president and co-owner, was unable to accept the award Thursday.
n Marion Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy that also offers durable medical equipment for sale. Established in 1962, the business has 12 full-time employees and five part-time employees. Tom McMahan and Fred Rabon, co-owners, accepted the award.
n Marion Tire offers the community retail tire sales, auto repair and towing/shuttle service. It employs 11 full-time and three part-time workers and was established in 1960. Eugene Holland, owner, accepted the award.
n Premier Insurance makes available a variety of insurance and financial products, including health insurance, group benefits, Medicare supplements, life insurance, long-term care, disability and 401(k) rollovers.
Established in 2000, Premier Insurance employs two full-time workers and one part-time worker. Owner Becky Poteat accepted the award.
n Samir Enterprises owns 13 convenience store/gas stations and operates nine. Currently, it has 46 full-time and five part-time employees and was established in 1991. Anwer Gillani, owner, accepted the award.
n South Creek Vineyards & Winery, established in 2002 and employing one full-time worker and one part-time worker, is a vineyard that produces red and white wines.
Their wines have earned gold, silver and bronze medals in the N.C. State Fair competitions. Co-owners Frank and Debra Boldon accepted the award.
n Spencer's Hardware is a Do It Best franchisee offering hardware, feed and seed, paint and other products. It was established in 1983 and has four full-time workers and five part-time workers. Nancy Spencer, president and owner, accepted the award.