The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce recently held their annual awards event. The chamber awarded five people with the PACE Award, one person was recognized as the Chamber Champion, and another received the Pinnacle Small Business Award.
The Professional and Community Engagement Awards or PACE Awards showcase exceptional young professionals under age 40 who either live or work in the Dan River Region. Award recipients must have completed at least three years of professional work experience, demonstrate excellence, creativity, and initiative in their company or profession, and provide valuable service to the community.
PACE recipients were:
- Lanie Davis, public information officer, Danville Public Schools
- Connor Hudson, financial center manager, American National Bank
- Cassie Williams Jones, associate vice president of university marketing and communications, Averett University
- Evelyn Riley, the executive director, Dan River Nonprofit Network
- Jerry Wallace, president, Danville Community College
Bobby Wilkerson, known as the unofficial mayor of Ringgold, was recognized as the 2023 Chamber Champion. The award is presented to an outstanding Chamber volunteer; one who attends events, finds event sponsors, and recruits members.
The Danville Otterbots baseball team received the Pinnacle Small Business Award which recognizes excellence in businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees which contributes to the economic vitality and quality of life in the region.
The Pinnacle Award, which recognizes a business or organization whose outstanding achievements serve as a model for success, was presented to the Danville Life Saving Crew. This award is the highest honor given by the Chamber.
More than 250 attended the annual awards event to honor the recipients.