Presented by Ron Hester of Barbetta, LLC and emceed by Carlie Rye of Universal Chevrolet, the annual event brought together business leaders, community advocates, and residents for an evening honoring those making a lasting impact through leadership, service, and community investment.
The evening’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Rebecca Flowers of Flowers Plantation. Under her leadership, Flowers Plantation has grown into one of North Carolina’s largest master-planned communities, spanning more than 3,000 acres.
Her long-standing commitment to thoughtful development, education, recreation, and quality-of-life initiatives has helped shape the future of Johnston County for generations.
Jeffery Hamilton received the Citizen of the Year Award for his decades of community involvement and advocacy throughout Johnston County. Known for his welcoming presence at Chamber events and support of local businesses, Hamilton continues to exemplify servant leadership through his work with numerous organizations across the region.
The Jimmy Creech Small Businessperson of the Year Award, sponsored by Stancil Oil Company, was presented to Terry Arthur of Pine Level Hardware & Furniture. Arthur has helped lead the family-owned business for nearly 50 years, preserving its reputation for customer service and community commitment while guiding the company through generations of growth and change.
Dr. LaShawdra White of Johnston Community College received the Emerging Leader Award for her work advancing education, philanthropy, and community engagement. Through leadership roles across several local organizations, White has expanded opportunities for students and families throughout the county.
Nominees for the Jimmy Creech Small Businessperson of the Year Award included Donna Fitzgerald and Hayley Hodge of The Grocery Bag, Tim Sessoms of Comfort Shield HVAC Services of NC, and Warren Stancil of InterState Outdoor, Inc. Emerging Leader Award nominees included Carter Jones of Narron Wenzel, P.A., Joelina Landa of United Community Bank, Jonathan McHatton of Parrish & Underwood Funeral Homes and Cremations, Shatisha Mclauri of Rainbow Childcare & Learning Center, Kyle Mobley of UNC Johnston Health, and Hannah Stecher of Home Life Care.
In addition to the awards presentation, the event included a silent auction and raffle benefiting the Triangle East Economic Development Foundation, which supports workforce development, business growth, and regional collaboration initiatives across the area.
“The Legacy Awards are a reflection of the incredible leadership, generosity, and community spirit found throughout Triangle East,” said Kelly Wallace, President & CEO of the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce. “The event would not have been possible without every sponsor, attendee, donor, volunteer, and nominee who helped create such a meaningful celebration of our community.”
We are extremely proud of Ms. Rebecca Flowers for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, along with Hayley Hodge and Donna Fitzgerald of The Grocery Bag for being nominated for Small Businessperson of the Year.
