Event celebrates achievements gained in 2025
Vickie Smith (center) receives the JL McGarity Citizenship Award from Jamie McGarity Noles and Caroline McGarity Nash at the 78th Annual Chamber Banquet. Photo credit: By Deborah Stewart | Special to The Tribune
Susan Sykes, chair of the Walton CountyChamber of Commerce, admitted she played favorites when it came to chamber events.
“Every luncheon I would say it is my favorite,” Sykes said. “That’s because each one offers something different and special. “Well, the annual banquet is my favorite.”
And the event lived up to the hype as the chamber celebrated the year and honored the county’s best at the group’s 78th Annual Banquet Thursday night.
Sykes, presiding over her last meeting as chair before passing the gavel to 2026 chair Doug Blevins, said the event demonstrated the strength and cohesion of Walton County’s business community.
“We truly are a blessed county,” Sykes said. “Everyone works in conjunction to life each other up.”
Sykes highlighted some of the year’s highlights, from events like Battle of the Burgers to networking opportunities like Coffee and Connections to training events like Leadership Walton.
“We invest in leadership development for both adults and our youth,” Sykes said.
The meeting then moved on to honor the award winners, as the Chamber named some of the best of Walton County for recognition.
The honors started off with a tip of the hat to Bonnie Hayes, who was recognized for completing her term on the Chamber board, then moved on to Ambassador of the Year, which went to Kerry Welch of KLP Consulting.
The Humane Society of Walton County was named Non-Profit of the Year, while The Eulalia Group earned Small Business of the Year and the Walton County School District earned Large Business of the Year. Maj. Drew Hudson of the Walton County Sheriff ’s Office jail division was named Public Servant of the Year for her efforts in moving operations into the new Walton County Jail last year, while Rebecca Daniel of Bio Strength was recognized as Woman of the Year for 2025.
The biggest award of the night, however, was the annual JL McGarity Award, which was presented in a teary manner by Jamie McGarity Noles and Caroline McGarity Nash after the passing of father Mike McGarity last year.
“It is our honor to stand before you for one of the most meaningful moments of the night,” Noles said. “This is a celebration of the values that bind us together: selflessness, compassion and a committment to bettering this community.”
The women presented this year’s award to Vickie Smith, nee Gasaway, for her dedication to the community through the Walton County Senior Citizens Council and other commitments, such as the March of Dimes.
“She’s busy,” Nash said. “She has left an incredible mark on our community.”
Finally, after Blevins recieved the gavel from Sykes, then recognized her with a ceremonial gavel for her service as 2025 chair, the new chair looked ahead to all in store for the chamber in 2026.
“I’m very honored and excited to serve as chair for 2026,” Blevins said. “I deeply believe in the value of the chamber in 2026.”
Believe, Blevins said, was the operative word for this year, as it’s been chosen as the mantra for the chamber’s efforts in 2026.
“We chose a powerful word to guide usand that word is believe,” Blevins said. “We believe in business here. We believe in Walton County.”
With a new logo and new podcast in store, Blevins said the chamber was there for business in Walton.
“The chamber is about helping you build relationships that last a lifetime,” Blevins said
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