Hot Springs, VA (March 14, 2026) - Educators, business and professional leaders and nonprofit organizations were honored for their outstanding service to the community during the 47th annual dinner meeting of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, held Saturday night at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs.
Outgoing Chamber President Jon Fitzgerald welcomed the 580 guests, making it the largest such event that the Chamber has hosted.
Fitzgerald noted that several new awards - Including Young Professional, Rising Star and Emerging Business, among others - had been added this year “to better recognize the many ways individuals and businesses make an impact in the Alleghany Highlands.”
The theme for the evening was “A Night at the Oscars.” Guests arrived on a red carpet and posed for pictures In front of two backdrops celebrating the Alleghany Highlands and Clifton Forge. Trophies given out to award winners were duplicates of the famous “Oscar” statues from the Academy Awards.
The following educator awards were presented:
School Service Personnel Award: Kara Harris-McKnight, Covington Middle School
Rising Stars of the Year: Kolby Hiner, Mountain View Elementary (Alleghany Highlands Public Schools); Katherine Doyle (Boys Home); and Tony Gonzalez (Mountain Gateway Community College)
Educators of the Year: Allison Fix Shinaberry, Callaghan Elementary (AHPS); Jody Eggleston (Boys Home); Walt Johnson (MGCC Welding Program Head)
Four area businesses and organizations were recognized for celebrating significant milestones in 2025:
The Alleghany Foundation, 30 years of service; Smurfit Westrock Low Moor Converting Plant, 40 years; Mountain Gateway Community College, 45 years; and the Historic Masonic Theatre, 120 years.
The following awards were presented:
Website of the Year: SJ Neathawk Lumber, Covington
Dogwood Award for Beautification: Five Sides, A multi-business hub in a renovated former bank building in Clifton Forge
Ruth Middleton Volunteer of the Year: Afton Griffin, Old Towne Covington (this award also included a $1000 donation from Highlands Community Bank to the charity of the winner’s choice)
Young Professional of the Year: Seth Bradley , Work-based learning coordinator for Alleghany Highlands Public schools
Distinguished Leader of the Year: Ingrid Barber, Executive Director of the Alleghany Highlands Community Services
Tourism Champion of the Year: Matt Fisher, Alleghany Outdoors
Entrepreneur of the Year: Julie Carroll, Friendly Fork Restaurant
Emerging Business of the Year: Simply Flawless, a cleaning service headquartered in Covington, Lee and Veronica Archer
Non Profit of the Year: One Fight, dedicated to serving cancer or chronically ill patients
Small Business of the Year: Cucci’s Pizzeria, Covington
Business of the Year: LewisGale Alleghany Hospital, Low Moor
New members of the Chamber board were recognized: Steve Bennett, Union Church Mill Works; Autumn Morgan, Four Moo s Designs; Callie Newcomer, Smurfit Westrock LMCP; And Bobby Wagner, Alleghany Highlands YMCA.
Current board members include Bruce Loving, MGCC; Chris Doyle, Boys Hime; Erin Via, LewisGale Hospital, Alleghany; Jennifer shocks, People’s Bank; Lynn Brackenridge, Alleghany Highlands Community Services; Michael Foster, Jack Masons Tavern and Brewery; Rashad Wieth, Northwest Ace Hardware; Dave Forbes, Fyvie Farms; Janie Tyree, Mountain River Realty; James Griffith, Alleghany County; Jeff Irvine, town of Clifton Forge; Raymond Hunter, city of Covington.
Retiring board members include Kathleen All, Tara Brewster, Lisa Dunster and Amela Morgan.
Fitzgerald, who was honored for his service, passed the gavel to Chris Doyle, incoming chamber president.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Chad Nickell and The Loose Change, sponsored by the Town of Clifton Forge.
|  | The Business of the Year Award was presented to Cucci's Pizzeria
|
|
