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June 17, 2017

Local businesses and industries were honored on Friday at the Fifth Annual Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala at the Alexandria Convention Center.

Winners in each of the twelve categories and four special categories were named at the red carpet event with Mayor Jacques Roy serving as Master of Ceremonies. Local business leaders served as presenters for each category of the “Bizzy” awards.

The 2017 RoyOMartin Best Overall Business Award was presented to Baker Manufacturing. The RoyOMartin Best Overall Business category honors excellence in all aspects of business, including how the business excels with customers, employees, community contributions, marketing and work environment.

The Red River Bank Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates those who help create the future. This year’s recipient was Peter Rotich, CEO and Founder of Enhancesoft. Peter and his team have created quality, easy to use customer support tools designed to help customers and make businesses thrive.

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Two new categories were added to the Bizzy Awards this year, including the CLEDA “We Make Good Stuff” Award, which was presented to David A. Crain of Creative Solutions.

“We have numerous businesses in Central Louisiana not only manufacturing, but creating excellent products and services,” said Deborah Randolph, President, Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This award highlights those businesses and we are grateful to Jim Clinton for working with the Chamber to permanently establishing this award.”

The Best Broadcast Promotion of a Business award was also a new addition this year. The award went to LSU Alexandria for its promotional campaign, “I Am LSUA.”

Dustin Matthews was the recipient of the Emerging Leader Award, recognizing a young professional who is making a difference in the community through volunteer service, community advocacy or entrepreneurship. The winner is chosen by the Executive Committee of the Chamber. Dustin is the Business Expansion and Retention Manager at Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA).

The winners in the Bizzy categories were selected among nominees made by the Chamber Board of Directors and by Chamber members. Chamber member representatives voted via ballots emailed in an electronic survey. Chamber member votes counted for 20% of the decision with 80% from a panel of three judges composed of Chamber executives from other communities in Louisiana.

The Winners of the 2017 Central Louisiana Regional Chamber Business Awards are:

RoyOMartin Best Overall Business Award
Baker Manufacturing

Red River Bank Entrepreneur of the Year
Peter Rotich of Enhancesoft

Cleco Innovation Award
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CLEDA “We Make Good Stuff” Award
David A. Crain of Creative Solutions

Best Large Business
Rapides Regional Medical Center

Best Medium Business
Louisiana Eye & Laser

Best Small Business
Turner Teleco - Alexandria

Best Business Curb Appeal
Central Louisiana Surgical Center

Best Marketing Campaign
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Best Interior Design of a Business
TIE: Holiday Inn Convention Center and Reliable Employee Solutions

Best Business Website
Red River Bank

Best Business Logo
Rapides Parish Coliseum

Best New Business
Aspen Bleu

Best Broadcast Promotion of a Business
I Am LSUA - LSUA

Best Non-Profit Organization
CHRISTUS Foundation

Emerging Leader Award
Dustin Matthews

Congratulations to all of the 2017 winners and nominees.