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Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Summit

"Honoring Excellence in Business Leadership and Community Impact"

South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce Free Enterprise Summit
Chad Watkins presenting Award to Doug Lipscomb 2025

2024 Winner

Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise
Person of the Year

Doug Lipscomb
RiverView Turf

Since 1976 the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce has celebrated the spirit of the Free Enterprise system – The Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year, presented by Riviera Utilities, is one of South Baldwin’s most coveted awards. Nominees must still be active in business affairs, have a good moral reputation, be active in civic/community affairs, and be committed to helping others grow.

The winner is honored during the Free Enterprise Person of the Year Luncheon at the Foley Civic Center. The event is attended by more than one hundred of the area’s top business leaders and community members. The Luncheon features a full catered meal and speeches from the previous year's winner along with the newly honored Person of the Year.

Understanding the Free Enterprise System

Free enterprise in America is the foundation of the country’s economic system, rooted in the belief that individuals should have the freedom to create and operate businesses with minimal government interference. This system encourages innovation, competition, and entrepreneurship, allowing businesses to thrive or fail based on market demand and consumer choice. It is driven by the principles of private property, voluntary exchange, and profit motives. In a free enterprise economy, consumers benefit from a variety of goods and services, while businesses compete to meet those needs efficiently. This dynamic not only fosters economic growth but also empowers individuals to pursue opportunities, fueling the American dream of prosperity and success. The system reflects a core American value: the freedom to work hard, take risks, and be rewarded for success.

Free Enterprise Person of the Year Winners

Chad Watkins

2023
Chad Watkins
WAS Design, Inc.

Margaret Roley

2022
Margaret Roley
Baldwin Health

David Worthington

2021
David Worthington
Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast

Perry Hand

Denson Freeman

2018
Denson Freeman
Freeman Collision Center

Charlene Haber

2017
Charlene Haber
Wolf Bay Restaurants

Gary Hellmich

2016
Gary Hellmich
Hellmich Electric​

1976   E. Frank Sanders
1977   Samuel F Parker
1978   George Kaiser Sr.
1979   Roy Spivey
1980   Arthur A. Holk
1981   L.W. Brannan Jr.
1982   Gus Schultz
1983   Charles J. Ebert Jr.
1984   J.M. Lee
1985   R. Cater Lee
1986   James E. Stewart
1987   James E. Wright
1989   Charles D. Carneal
1990   Cecil G. Chason
1991   R. Timothy Russell
1992   Dr. John E. Foster
1993   John McClure Snook
1994   Aubury Fuller
1995   J. Wayne Trawick
1996   Arthur A. Holk
1997   Glenn W. Moyer
1998   Carolyne & Wayne Hollis
1999   Robert W. Lee "Bubba"
2000   Leslie T. Fickling "Tommy"
2001   John Ray Nelson
2002   George Woerner
2003   R.C. Craft
2004   Floyd Andrew Davis "Skip"
2005   Norman Moore
2006   John M. Schaff
2007   Anthony Kaiser
2008   Clark Stewart
2009   Sheila Hodges
2010   Thomas M. Lee
2011   Carl Johnson
2012   Glenn Manning
2013   John Koniar
2014   Frances Holk-Jones
2015   William Boyd Little
2016   Gary Hellmich
2017   Charlene Haber
2018   Denson Freeman
2019   Perry A. Hand
2020   Tommy Rachel
2021   David Worthington
2022   Margaret Roley
2023   Chad Watkins
2024   Doug Lipscomb
2025
2026
2027
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