Hardware Handed Out to Local Businesses

Thursday, 5 November 2015 05:47

All the hard work, dedication, and persistence paid off for several local businesses at the 18th Business Awards of Excellence

WOODSTOCK - The hardware has been handed out for the 18th Business Awards of Excellence presented by the Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce.

12 different awards were up for grabs to local companies and employees.

Manager of Operations at Woodstock Hydro Jay Heaman was the big winner of the night, walking away with the President's Award. "This has to be a high point of a career! To have been at the utility 27 years I am just thrilled to be able to be recognized by peers and business owners. You usually think it is reserved for entrepreneurs of the industry, so to be basically an employee of an electric utility and be recognized is quite an honour." Heaman, who was very humble in his acceptance speech, has strived to provide green solutions by traveling in an electric car and even having a cottage off the power grid.

The Community Service Award was given to the Southgate Centre and Executive Director Chris Cunningham accepted the honour. "It is so incredible to get that validation in what goes on at Southgate Centre every single day. The community is so personal to all of them and they live here in Woodstock and they want to make it a better place and they do that - it is really our culture. We can and we keep doing what we do, and we keep getting better with age."

Snapd Woodstock took home the Franchisee Award and the man behind it all owner of the Woodstock edition, Paul Cluff, was overwhelmed as he accepted the award. "It means a lot to me - I worked in journalism for 15 years, decided to go out on my own and start a business based on my experiences and wanting to do something different. To be recognized by your peers is the ultimate recognition it shows that I am doing something right that they voted for me. I am going to continue to keep working just as hard as I have leading up to this recognition that I just got."

Other Award Winners:

Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Harvey Hunt, OWL

Young Entrepreneur - Ashlee Hall, Cowan Park

Commercial Business Award - Great Northern Insulation

Outstanding Manufacturing Award - Hino Motors Canada Ltd.

Professional Services Award - Forvan Technology Services Inc

Retailer Award - Flooring Creations

Food Service Award - Panino's Woodstock

Trades Person of the Year Award - The Comfort Guy

Energy Conservation & Innovation Award - Greenholm Farms