Celebrating Local Talent at the 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala in Huntsville
On the evening of September 12, the vibrant city of Huntsville came together to applaud the hard work and achievements of its local small businesses at the much-anticipated 39th Annual Small Business Awards Gala. Hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, the event rolled out the red carpet at the Von Braun Center’s stunning Saturn Ballroom.
The night kicked off with a delightful cocktail hour, where attendees mingled and enjoyed appetizers before settling in for a sumptuous dinner. The atmosphere was electric as attendees awaited the awards presentations. This year, the event was emceed by the always charismatic Jeff Castle, Chief Meteorologist of WAAY-TV, and Valentina Iscaro, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Alabama A&M University, who kept the evening lighthearted and engaging.
A Night of Celebration and Recognition
This gala was more than just a night out; it served as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of individuals and businesses that make Huntsville a unique and thriving community. To fairly represent the diverse talent in Huntsville, chambers of commerce from areas outside of the city reviewed and judged nominees across various categories.
From young professionals to veteran-owned businesses, and from those impacting the community to those excelling in entrepreneurship, the night highlighted achievements in every corner of the local business landscape. Unique to this year, three specific categories were created to honor the remarkable accomplishments in the engineering and defense industry — recognizing small, medium, and large businesses separately.
Shining Stars of the Evening
One of the big winners of the night was H2L Solutions, Inc.. Their Vice President of Operations, Jacob Schreiber, took home the coveted title of Huntsville’s Young Professional of the Year. Schreiber, a proud Huntsville native with deep family roots in entrepreneurship, expressed his gratitude, stating, “This award is more than just recognition; it’s a challenge to continue striving for excellence. I’m excited to see what the future holds and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on our local community and our nation.”
In the category of Veteran-Owned Business of the Year, the well-deserved honor went to Victory Solutions, Inc.. Meanwhile, the award for Hospitality Services Business of the Year was claimed by Valentina’s Pizzeria & Wine Bar, which outshone five other nominees.
Another notable moment came when Angela Howald, CEO of AcqCentric, Inc., accepted the award for Minority-Owned Business of the Year. Acknowledging her supportive husband during her speech, she laughed, “I invited him up here and he said, ‘No, you go up there. You’re the boss.’ So I’m up here alone … like a boss!” Howald commended Huntsville for being a fantastic place to do business.
Community Impact and Beyond
For the first time, the Community Impact Award was introduced this year. It came down to five impressive nominees, with Rocket City Mom taking home the honor. Lindsey Barron, COO of Rocket City Mom, beamed as she accepted the award, saying, “We are living our dream every single day by serving these communities, and I could not be more grateful for that opportunity.” She noted that her daughter assists at their events, emphasizing the family bond that fuels their passion.
Not to be outdone, Sultry Company was crowned the Retailer of the Year, adding another feather in the cap of Huntsville’s thriving business community. The night concluded with smooth audio and visual support provided by Bluewood Productions, ensuring that the event went off without a hitch.
The evening was a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of Huntsville’s business community. To find a full list of winners, attendees and interested locals are encouraged to visit the Huntsville Chamber’s website.
As the gala came to a close, one thing was evident: Huntsville is home to passionate individuals and businesses continuously striving for greatness. Here’s to celebrating local talent and looking forward to even more remarkable achievements in the future!
