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The Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year is our most prestigious award with a long history within the Chamber and business leaders in our area since 1976. The ceremony is conducted during a luncheon in the fall each year with approximately 225 people in attendance, including members of the Chamber, Board of Directors and elected officials.
Nominations for this prestigious award are accepted from the Chamber’s membership. Part of the criteria for the award states that the recipient be active in promoting the principles of the free enterprise system, be active in and be a major factor in the success of their business, be active in community/civic affairs and be committed to helping this community grow and prosper.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2010 AWARD ARE DUE AUGUST 13, 4 P.M.
The 2010 Free Enterprise Luncheon is set for Noon, Friday September 10.
Foley Civic Center
407 E. Laurel Ave., Foley
Thanks to our 2010 Sponsors!
Presenting
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In 2009, Sheila Hodges, Owner of Meyer Real Estate, was named the 33rd recipient of the Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year.
Hodges, resident of Foley, began her real estate career at Meyer Real Estate in the summer
of 1978 as one of six sales agents with the company. Now she is Meyer Real Estate’s
Chairman of the Board and sole owner of the firm, which employs 180+ full-time staff along
with 300+ seasonal team members and now has over 40 sales associates.
The Free Enterprise winner is a closely guarded secret each year and 2008 winner Clark Stewart, who presented the award, did a great job with building anticipation with his introduction. Although many may have guessed, it was not until he said Sheila’s name that the 225 people in attendance knew who had won.
Over the years, she has acquired many designations and certifications as well as achieving many awards for Meyer Real Estate. For example, Meyer Real Estate was named by the University of South Alabama’s Small Business Development Center as Alabama’s 2002-2003 Woman-Owned Business of the Year. Under Hodges’ leadership, Meyer Real Estate also won the Alabama Quality Award in the Small Business sector. Recently Meyer received the Real Estate Company People’s Choice award from Sunny 105.7 and the Best of Baldwin from Gulf Coast Newspapers.
Hodges is a Past President of the Alabama Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce, Baldwin County United, and Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also served as the Baldwin County co-chairman for Envision Coastal Alabama and as a Board member of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Alabama Real Estate Commission and a Board member of Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau and City of Foley Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
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