Presenting Sponsor
Greensboro
Greensboro
Thank You!
On behalf of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, thank you for being here tonight at our 2025 Annual Celebration at Topgolf.
We’re so glad you’re here whether you’re swinging for the fences, catching up with old friends, or meeting new ones. Nights like this are what make Greensboro so special.
Your energy and support mean the world to us, and we’re thrilled to celebrate with you. So, keep having fun, keep making connections, and let’s toast to all the amazing things happening in our community.
Thank you for being part of tonight and part of Greensboro!
Brent Christensen President & CEO Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
Agenda
4:30 pm
Doors Open / Networking
5:15 pm
Welcome Remarks & Sponsor Recognition
Q&A with Chamber Board Chair Sherri Thomas, Chief Administrative Officer, Truliant Federal Credit Union
2025 Thomas Z. Osborne Award Video: Presented posthumously to D.H. Griffin, Sr.
5:30 - 8 pm
Golf and networking with periodic live updates
Housekeeping
Look for two photo booths during tonight’s event. The photo booths are sponsored by Grinz Orthodontics.
Feel free to get up and move around! Networking is encouraged throughout the entirety of tonight’s event.
Food stations will be located along the playing concourse of each level throughout the evening.
There is a bar located on each floor of Topgolf.
Parking shuttles, provided by UNCG, will be running continuously throughout the evening from the Topgolf entrance to the overflow parking at Syngenta.
Thank You Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Thank You Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Allegacy Federal Credit Union · Atlantic Union Bank
Banknote Corporation of America, Inc · The Cemala Foundation
City of Greensboro · City of Greensboro – Police Department
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Cone Health Foundation Downtown Greensboro Inc.
Duke Energy · Elon University School of Law
First Citizens Bank · Fox Rothschild LLP
Gateway Research Park
Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greensboro Grasshoppers Greensboro Swarm
Guilford Technical Community College
Guilford County MWBE · Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home
Landmark Builders · Procter & Gamble
The Resource · Skyla Credit Union
Smith Leonard · Stanley & Dorothy Frank Family Foundation
TowneBank Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine, Inc.
Triad Business Bank Triad Orthodontics
TRS&I Group · Truist
Truliant Federal Credit Union
UnitedHealthcare of NC Community Plan
Program Sponsor
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Photo Sponsor Silver Sponsors
Grinz Orthodontics
Company Locator by Bay
Allegacy Federal Credit Union
Arch MI
Atlantic Union Bank
Banknote Corporation of America, Inc.
Carr, Riggs & Ingram, PLLC
City of Greensboro
City of Greensboro - Police Department
Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Cone Health
Cone Health Foundation
D H Griffin Companies
Downtown Greensboro, Inc.
Duke Energy
Elon University School of Law
First Citizens Bank
First Horizon Bank
First National Bank
Fox Rothschild LLP
Gateway Research Park, Inc
Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau
Greensboro Grasshoppers
Greensboro Swarm
Guilford County MWBE
Guilford Technical Community College
Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home
Honda Aircraft Company
Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Company Locator by Bay
Kintura
Kontoor Brands
Koury Corporation
Landmark Builders Inc.
Lincoln Financial Group
North Carolina A&T State University
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Procter & Gamble
Skyla Credit Union
Smith Leonard
Southern Industrial Constructors
Stanley & Dorothy Frank Family Foundation
STITCH Design Shop
Syngenta
The Cemala Foundation
The Resource
TowneBank
Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina
Toyota of Greensboro
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine, Inc.
Triad Business Bank
Triad Orthodontics
TRS&I Group
Truist
Truliant Federal Credit Union
UNC Greensboro
UnitedHealthcare of NC Community Plan
Thomas Z. Osborne Award
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce nored to announce that the 2024 mas Z. Osborne Distinguished en Award is presented humously to D.H. Griffin, Sr., der of D.H. Griffin Companies. A nary entrepreneur and leader, Mr n built one of the nation’s largest
demolition and construction firms, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and Greensboro community.
Known for his unwavering dedication to his work, his employees, and the city he loved, Mr. Griffin’s legacy of excellence and generosity continues to inspire This award celebrates his extraordinary contributions to Greensboro and his lifelong commitment to building a stronger community.
The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Thomas Z. Osborne Distinguished Citizen Award is the organization’s highest honor It is named after Thomas Z Osborne, a prominent figure in Greensboro’s history, and is presented annually to an individual whose outstanding leadership and service have significantly contributed to the growth and prosperity of the Greensboro community. The award recognizes a lifelong commitment to making Greensboro a better place to live and work through exceptional civic engagement, business leadership, and dedication to community development.
You can view the Thomas Z. Osborne Distinguished Citizen Award video on the Chamber’s YouTube channel.
Past Osborne Award Winners
2023: Deborah Hooper
2022: Mae Douglas
2021: H Walker Sanders
2020: Cheryl and Charles McQueary
2019: Alan Duncan
2018: Sue W. Cole
2017: J. Patrick Danahy
2016: Eric Wiseman
2015: J. Edward Kitchen
2014: Chancellors Linda Brady and Harold Martin
2013: Robert E. (Bobby) Long, Jr.
2012: Mackey McDonald
2011: Tim Rice
2010: Dr Don Cameron
2009: Ralph Shelton
2008: Shirley Frye
2007: Carole Bruce
2006: Dr Patricia Sullivan
2005: Leonard Kaplan
2004: E S “Jim” Melvin
2004: Dr Leo Lambert
2003: Dr Harrison Turner, III
2002: Dennis R Barry
2001: Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
2000: Dr Alexander Spears, III
1999: Don Dixon
1998: John Lauritzen
1997: Hayes Clement
1996: H. Michael Weaver
1995: John R. Kernodle, Jr.
1994: Douglas Galyon
1993: V.M. Nussbaum, Jr.
1992: Dr. William C. Parker, Jr.
1991: Thomas Z. Osborne
1990: L. Richardson Preyer
1989: Mike Fleming
1988: Don Lowe
1987: William Hemphill
1986: W Roger Soles
1985: Charles A "Chuck" Hayes
1984 Cynthia Doyle
1983: Kimsey Mann
1982: Walter W King
1981: E S "Jim" Melvin
1980: Stanley Frank
1979: George Norman
1978: N P Hayes, Sr
1977: Joseph M Bryan
1976: Cornelius M. Vanstory
1975: Charles F. Meyers, Jr.
1974: Miles H. Wolfe
1973: Albert S. Lineberry, Sr.
1972: Carson Bain
1971: Dr. Boisy Winslow Barnes
1970: Benjamin Cone
1969: Howard Holderness
1968: Bland Worley
1967: Joseph M. Hunt, Jr.
1966: Stark S Dillard
1965: Ortan A Boren
1964: Mose Kiser, Sr
1963: Joseph T Martin – Special
Citation
1962: J Spencer Love
1961: W Y Preyer
1960: Caesar Cone
1959: W H Sullivan, Sr
1958: Ben L Smith
1957: John Van Lindley
1956: Dr Walter Clinton Jackson
1955: E.B. Jeffress
Let’s Connect on Social Media!
Swing into the fun at tonight’s Annual Celebration at Topgolf! Don’t forget to share your best shots (or funniest misses) and group photos with us on social media. Tag @GSOChamber and use #GSOChamberTopgolf so we can celebrate with you! Let’s make this event the talk of the town! Follow Us On
Chamber Wins in 2024
JamesM.PleasantsCompany Investment:$30,000,000
NewPositions:40
BanknoteCorporationofAmerica Investment:$28,000,000
NewPositions:26
NewPositions:80
PartnerHero Investment:$7,000,000
NewPositions:200
Gilero Investment:$6,400,000
NewPositions:37
2024 Members of the Month
January
McWhorter Concepts
February
Friends Home
Berico Fuels
March April
ALT HR
May
M. Edwards Group
June
Carter Bank and Trust
July
Rosa Foundation
August
Wayne Young
September
Sharpe Pursuits
October
Scoop Zone
November
Grinz Orthodontics
December
Taco Mama
Future Ready Greensboro
Action Greensboro and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate the 63 Family Forward NC Certified Employers who have taken the extra step to provide family-friendly policies and practices.
These companies represent 29,797 employees in the Greater Greensboro community. This achievement underscores Greensboro’s dedication to fostering a work environment that prioritizes the well-being of employees and their families.
Greensboro Chamber
Monthly Prize Drawings
For every business you refer to the Chamber, and they join, you will be entered to win a monthly prize!
Greensboro Gargoyles
Meet Greensboro’s newest professional sports team - the Greensboro Gargoyles.
The Gargoyles are an ECHL hockey team and will begin playing in October 2025 during the 2025-26 season in the First Horizon Coliseum.
LEARN MORE
Greensboro Area Pro Sports
Sports Tourism Impact
Economic Impact in 2024
Contracted Hotel Room Nights
Number of Sports Events
Did You Know?
Greensboro was ranked 2nd on the 2024 Best Business Cities for Attracting and Hosting Sports Events by Sports Business Journal.
Sports Tourism Impact
A sampling of Major Sports Events from 2024
AAU Junior Olympics
Contracted Room Nights: 41,300
Economic Impact: $67,700,000
ECNL Girls National Showcase
Contracted Room Nights: 13,600
Economic Impact: $10,140,940
ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament
Contracted Room Nights: 4,700
Economic Impact: $8,390,345
ACC Swimming & Diving Championships
Contracted Room Nights: 5,300
Economic Impact: $4,301,385
Outgoing Board Members
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing board members for their invaluable contributions to the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and our community. Your leadership, dedication, and vision have been instrumental in driving our mission forward, fostering economic growth, and strengthening local businesses. Your efforts have left a lasting impact, and we are deeply appreciative of the time, expertise, and passion you have shared with us. Thank you for your service and commitment to making Greensboro a better place for all.
Dawn Chaney
Bill Collins
Jarvis Harris
Rhonda Joyce
Karl Robinson
Susan Schwartz
Stafford Thompson
Member Directory
We hope you enjoy tonight’s Annual Celebration at Topgolf and have a chance to connect with many of the incredible businesses and organizations that make up the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Every company you connect with this evening represents the innovation, commitment, and community spirit that drive Greensboro forward.
Want to learn more about the members you met tonight - or discover others in our network? Explore our online directory, your go-to resource for finding businesses shaping our community.
Thank you for supporting our members and championing the success of local businesses!
MEMBER DIRECTORY
2025 Economic Update Luncheon
Join us for an exclusive luncheon focused on the economic outlook in our ever-changing economy. The luncheon will also feature a look at 2024's Economic Development wins with Brent Christensen, President & CEO of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Joining Brent will be Jeseo Park, a US Economist with Bank of America Securities.
Thursday, February 6 11 am
Attend Other Events
Greensboro is a thriving hub of arts, culture and business. There’s always something to do or see, including many Chamber of Commerce-sponsored business social events. We’re thrilled to contribute to Greensboro’s vibrancy, from grand openings and ribbon cuttings to community and networking events. Consider this your open invitation to get involved.
Are you looking for business networking events in Greensboro? The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Business Event Calendar is your onestop resource for local business development events, professional networking events, and more.
Thank you for supporting our members and championing the success of local businesses!
VIEW EVENTS
Honoring Deborah Hooper
It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Deborah Hooper, the former Chief Operating Officer of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Deborah spent 12 years serving the Greensboro community at the Chamber, beginning in 2011 and continuing to 2023.
Deborah was a driving force behind the Chamber and many of its partners. She also served as Chair of the C H lth B d f Di t d th G l M
“Deborah lived the motto that ‘there is nothing that you can’t do as long as you are willing to give away the credit.’ She was an incredible leader who spent every day in service to a community that she loved. We will be forever grateful for all of her tireless work, but more importantly, the shining example she set for all of us in her integrity and selflessness.”
~ Brent Christensen President & CEO, Greensboro Chamber
Deborah was awarded the Chamber’s highest honor, the Thomas Z. Osborne Award, at last year’s Annual Celebration.
~ Brent Christensen
You can view Deborah’s 2023 Thomas Z. Osborne Distinguished Citizen Award video on the Chamber’s YouTube channel.
Circle of Champions
