The Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s premier annual event, the 2026 Annual Awards, was held on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Cape Fear Valley Health’s Medical Education and Neuroscience Institute – Ellison Auditorium. The event brought together members of the business community, elected officials and community partners for an evening dedicated to honoring excellence, innovation and service across the greater Fayetteville region.
The Chamber extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who attended and supported this special evening. Congratulations to all nominees and winners for their remarkable impact and unwavering commitment to progress.
2026 Annual Awards Winners
PWC’s Excellence in Innovation Award – Fayetteville Technical Community College
Business Beautification Award – Friendship House of Fayetteville
Best in Communication Award – The Crown Complex
Non-Profit of the Year – Blue Star Families
Public Service Award – Dancing Without Sin
Outstanding Educator of the Year – Kristin Reeder, Fayetteville Academy
Fayetteville’s Young Professional Award – Kameron Bradley, Fly Guy Media
Military Affairs Service Award – William Brooks, Senior Vice President, Dogwood State Bank
Government Relations Award – Angie Hedgepeth, Government Affairs Director, Longleaf Pine REALTORS®
Ambassador of the Year – Sam Gordon, SWG Enterprise
Chairman’s Service Award – Bill Bowman, Publisher, Up & Coming Weekly
New Business of the Year – Fayetteville Liberty Basketball
Best Local Franchise – Chick-fil-A Skibo Square
Small Business of the Year – Sun Supermarket
Large Business of the Year – W.S. Wellons Realty, Inc.
Industry of the Year – Fayetteville Public Works Commission
Longleaf Pine REALTORS® Cup – Jimmy Townsend, Owner/President, Townsend Real Estate
Chamber’s Breece Legacy Award – Brian Pearce, Cape Fear Valley Health; Gary Rogers, The Crown Complex; and Tammy Thurman, Piedmont Natural Gas
The Chamber looks forward to continuing its mission of advocacy, education and networking to cultivate meaningful connections that strengthen its members and the greater Fayetteville community.
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Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.
