Huntsville/Madison County Chamber hosts big night for small businesses

HUNTSVILLE – The usually outgoing Dr. Karockas Watkins was humble Thursday night at the annual Small Business Awards Gala.

Watkins, the owner of Ability Plus, was emotional after being named the winner of the coveted Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award, at the 39th annual event hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.

The event recognizing local small businesses and individuals was held at the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom.

The winners were: 

• Young Professional of the Year: Jacob Schreiber, H2L Solutions
• Nonprofit of the Year: Huntsville Botanical Garden
• Construction Company of the Year: Ridgeline Construction Roofing & Exteriors
• Minority-Owned Business of the Year: AcqCentric
• Emerging Business of the Year: Towne Park Animal Care Center
• Community Impact Award: Rocket City Mom
• Professional/Technical Services Business of the Year: H2L Solutions
• Engineering/Defense Business of the Year (Small): Cepeda Systems & Software Analysis
• Engineering/Defense Business of the Year (Medium): CFD Research Corporation
• Engineering/Defense Business of the Year (Large): Intrepid
• Veteran-Owned Business of the Year: Victory Solutions
• Hospitality Services Business of the Year: Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar
• Arts & Recreation Business of the Year: We Rock the Spectrum Huntsville
• Retailer of the Year: Sultry Company
• Health/Social Services Business of the Year: SportsMED Orthopedic Surgery & Spine Center
• Woman-Owned Business of the Year: 4M Research
• Small Business Champion of the Year: Veronica Cram, InSight Strategic Solutions
• Russell G. Brown Executive Leadership Award: Dr. Karockas Watkins, Ability Plus

Additionally, the Huntsville Association of Small Businesses in Advanced Technology named Jerry Gabig its Small Business Advocate of the Year and The Catalyst Center for Business and Entrepreneurship named Patti Yancey of Stovehouse its Entrepreneur of the Year. 

Valentina Iscaro, assistant professor of entrepreneurship at Alabama A&M University, and Jeff Castle, chief meteorologist of WAAY-TV, served as emcees. 

The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber hosts the annual Small Business Awards Gala to recognize the outstanding work businesses and individuals are doing. Scoring and judging was handled by chambers of commerce outside the region.