Celebrating Leadership: Chamber Recognizes Business Impact at Annual Chamber Installation & Awards!

Celebrating Leadership: Chamber Recognizes Business Impact at Annual Chamber Installation & Awards!

Martin County, FL.— The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce welcomed 250 guests to their annual Installation & Awards Gala on September 14^th presented by Ashley Capital. The backdrop of this exciting event was the beautiful Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa. Chamber President/CEO Joe Catrambone and Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors emceed the evening consisting of recognitions, dinner, dancing, and casino gaming. The honorable Senator Gayle Harrell conducted the installation and oath of office for the 2024-2025 Board of Directors.

Executive Board:
Chair, Dan Hulen, Fifth/Third Bank Merchant Services/Worldpay
Past Chair, Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, Grassam Spine & Wellness
Chair-Elect, Eric Kiehn, C&W Technologies
Vice-Chair, Candace Lopes, Skin Serenity Spa
Vice Chair, Chuck Geary, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC
Treasurer, Gordon Proctor, Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA
Directors:
Dan Brady, Water Pointe Realty Group/SP
Marshall Critchfield, Florida Power & Light
Carol Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County
Wayne Filowitz, WRPB Studios
Zack Gazza, Hobe Sound Farms
Jeff Gustafson, Coquina Cove at Martin Downs
Jeremy Harris, Growth Squad
Ryan Huff, Huff Enterprises LLC
Commissioner Stacey Heatherington, Martin County BOCC
Lt. General Frank Libutti
Jill Marasa, Ashley Capital
Michael Maine, Superintendent Martin County Schools
Brandon McAlister, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Dr. Brian Moriarty, Loving Chiropractic of Stuart
Stephen Quintyne, Coral Shores Behavioral Health
Michael Schemel, Indian River State College
Steven Shultz, Edward Jones Investments
Chris Smith, PhotoGraphics
David Snyder, Evergreen Private Care
George Stokus, Martin County Government
Newly Elected to 2024/25 Board of Directors:
Gary Guttveg, DreamWorks Companies
Trisha Hawthorne, TD Bank
Tami Karol, Tami Karol Insurance Agency
Susan King, Martin Funeral Home

While the delicious steak and lobster dinner was enjoyed by guests, Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith presented the following awards.

Outgoing Board Member to Amber Woods of Treasure Coast Toyota, Volunteer of the Year to Kelly Dean of Rexel, Employer of the Year to Chris Smith of PhotoGraphics, Chairman’s Award to Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, Public Sector Business Advocate Award to former City Commissioner Troy McDonald, and Private Sector Business Advocate Award to Jill Marasa of Ashley Capital.

Stuart/Martin County Chamber’s President & CEO Joe Catrambone closed the program by granting the President’s Award to Carol Houwaart-Diez of United Way of Martin County and Eric Kiehn of C&W Technologies. Finally, Mr. Catrambone presented a chamber tradition - the “Toots Armellini” Business of the Year Award - to Owen Insurance Group. Agency owner Gary Owen accepted the award to roaring applause. Mr. Owen is a Martin County LEADERship class 31 graduate and an active chamber sponsor, a role model to new business owners and guide for residents and business owners looking to navigate the complexities of the insurance industry. He is a staunch advocate for insurance education and started a non-profit to help citizens learn more about the insurance industry.
The Stuart/Martin County Chamber Board of Directors and staff would like to congratulate these award recipients.
Additionally, the annual Installation & Awards Gala is made possible by generous event sponsors. The Chamber thanks the following sponsors for their commitment to celebrating leadership in Martin County.
 
Presenting Sponsor Ashley Capital; Silver Sponsors Hobe Sound Farms, Florida Power & Light, DreamWorks Companies, Carr, Riggs, Ingram CPAs and Advisors, Owen Insurance Group, and Martin Funeral Home; Bronze Sponsors Fifth Third Bank Merchant Services/WorldPay, 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Solutions, WM (Waste Management), TD Bank/Stuart, C&W Technologies, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, Serenity Stuart, Level 4 Telcom, Evergreen Private Care of Florida, 2J Data, Rexel, Just Gold Jewelers, and Comcast Business; and Copper Sponsors LaConte Engineering, Aycock Funeral Home/Young & Prill, Recovery Insurance Adjusters, PhotoGraphics, Representative Toby Overdorf, Florida House District 85, Loving Chiropractic of Stuart, and the Business Development Board of Martin County.
 
About the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce:
The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in the community. Playing a significant role in the economic climate, the Chamber’s purpose is to inform, unite and promote business. The Stuart/Martin Chamber acts as the front door to the community offering maps, welcome guides, visitor information and a community event calendar. For business members, the Chamber provides opportunities for leadership, networking, advertising, and essential advocacy locally, in Tallahassee and in D.C.  


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