In his final official act as 2025 Board Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, Jeff Samz took the stage Tuesday to recognize a lifetime of quiet leadership and service.

Before handing over the ceremonial gavel at the Chamber’s 90th Annual Membership Meeting, Samz presented the organization’s Distinguished Service Award to Philip W. Bentley Jr., calling him a pillar of integrity and dedication in the Huntsville community.

The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Chamber.

“In every endeavor, both professional and volunteer, Phil is generous, caring, and a rock of integrity,” Samz said. “His service to the community at large and quietly to individuals in need confirms his character. His family knows it, the organizations that he has invested his life in know it, and now the greater community should know it.”

Samz said he selected Bentley because of his decades of volunteer leadership, particularly in healthcare. Bentley has served on the Health Care Authority Board of the City of Huntsville since 1999, including 17 years as chairman. The 11-member volunteer board governs Huntsville Hospital Health System.

Samz, who serves as President and CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System, added another surprise during the presentation. He announced that the Health Care Authority Board has voted to rename the Plaza Resource Center on Governors Drive as “Bentley Plaza” in recognition of Bentley’s long-standing service.

The announcement drew strong applause inside the Von Braun Center’s Saturn Ballroom, where business and community leaders gathered for the annual meeting.

Following the presentation, Samz formally passed the gavel to Jami Peyton, founder and CEO of Canvas, who will serve as the Chamber’s 2026 Board Chair.

The Annual Membership Meeting also included the release of the Chamber’s 2025 Annual Report and a keynote address from Steve Lerch, an award-winning international speaker and former Google executive, who spoke about digital strategy, marketing and innovation.