Tim Preston
The Independent
FLATWOODS —
After the 15th annual Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards breakfast Thursday in Flatwoods, Vincenzo Fressola seemed almost stunned to walk away with the 2012 Main Street Business of the Year honor as well as the title of Small Business Person of the Year.
“I was humbled to be nominated twice in three years, but because I’ve only been here for five years I never imagined I’d be qualified to win it,” Fressola said, later adding he was simply proud to be included in the nominees for the Main Street award.
“I was amongst some quality company, and again, I was just flattered to be honored,” he said. “I’m grateful to God and my family for the energy and support I have. I owe it all to those who have let me be part of the community and collaborated with me in every way.”
The awards ceremony at Advance Memorial United Methodist Church presented the results of a record number of nominations for recognition in a dozen categories. Noting the near capacity crowd representing 66 companies from Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties, master of ceremonies Rob Johnson recalled the first year the awards were presented and there weren’t enough people to fill one room at Chimney Corner Café.
Drew Scott and Kevin Allen, owners of Decadence “The Unique Boutique,” were presented the 2012 New & Emerging Business of the Year award. Diamond Lewis, Travis Hignite and Sarah Armstrong of Sideburns salon in Ashland were also nominated for the award, along with Mark Jaehnen and Ken Wilburn of Ken Mark Lift Systems in South Shore, C.C. and Julia Gibbs of Gibbs True Value Hardware of Grayson and Jason Bailey, owner of Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods. Decadence specializes in pageant, prom and formal wear and accessories.
Sarah and Bryan Conley, owners of Soccer Locker Team Sports, were awarded the 2012 Retail/Wholesale Business of the Year award. Also nominated in the category were A Boutique, Holifield Farms in Grayson, Tri-State Industrial Supply in Ashland, Bucksaw Studio in Grayson, Kentucky Automotive Center of Grayson, Stamper’s Carpet Sales in Grayson, The Upstairs Gallery in Ashland, Graf Brothers Flooring & Lumber in South Shore, Portable Solutions Group in Worthington and Tri-City Ice in Ashland.
Arnold and Carolyn Topping, owners of Topping’s Commercial Services in Flatwoods, were presented the 2012 Service Business of the Year award. Other nominees were Championship Fastpitch & M&G Neurophysiology, Speedy Signs & Banners, Wolfe’s Wrecker Service, Johnson Realty & Appraisal, Zanzi’s Pizza, Security Consultants and Solutions and Tres Hermanos Nunez.
Dr. Jeffrey Lopez of the Tri-State Regional Cancer Center was awarded the 2012 Business Professional of the Year honor. Other nominees were 23 Beadle Dentistry, the Patrick Flannery Law Office, All About Animals Veterinary Clinic, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance, Counselor’s Clinical Cottage and McCloud Eye Care Center.
Quinn and Diana Thompson, owners of Thompson Construction and Utilities, won the Construction/Contracting Business of the Year award. Also nominated were Johnson & Goebel, Tri-State Construction & Enterprise and R&C Services Co.
Vincenzo Fressola Design & Consulting/Walker-Fressola Architects claimed the Main Street Business of the Year award, edging out fellow nominees Fitness Trainers, TSHD Architects, L Style Salon & Spa and Print My Threads.
Nathan E. Parks, owner of High Performance Computer Services, was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Courtney Thompson of Courthead Does Photography and Jacob Crider of Crider’s Lawn Care were also nominated for the award.
Susan Hunt of Community Hospice was presented the Nonprofit/Government Agency of the Year award. Also nominated in that category were the Carter County Public Library, Federated Charities (The Dressing Room), Grayson Project Merry Christmas, Poage Landing Days, Carter County Thunder, Goodwill Industries of KYOWVA Area, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center, Grayson Meals on Wheels and the Olive Hill Historical Society.
Dwane Johnson was named Accounting/Financial Services Advocate of the Year and Teresa Brown was presented the Women/Minority Advocate of the Year award.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.
