On Friday, July 16, 2021, the Melbourne Regional Chamber will present four awards for community excellence and involvement at its annual Impact Awards and Board Installation presented by Shelter Mortgage Company.

On Friday, July 16, 2021, the Melbourne Regional Chamber will present four awards for community excellence and involvement at its annual Impact Awards and Board Installation presented by Shelter Mortgage Company. The event takes place at the Hilton Melbourne from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

During the awards celebration, the board chair, executive committee and directors at large for the chamber also will be installed. Jeff Robison, president of Lightle, Beckner, Robison, Inc. will be installed as 2021 board chair for the Melbourne Regional Chamber, taking the gavel from 2020 board chair, Todd Pokrywa of The Viera Company. The event was postponed from its original date in January due to pandemic precautions.

The first award of the evening is the 2020 Community Excellence Award, presented to Publix. This award recognizes a company that uses their resources and vision to create a more sustainable and connected community with a focus on reaching underserved individuals. “Publix played a key role in our community in this past year as we navigated the pandemic,” said Melbourne Regional Chamber president and CEO, Michael Ayers. “While many businesses closed down, Publix remained open and became a leader in health and safety measures to keep their employees and their customers in good health. They successfully navigated the unknowns without interruption to the services that so many of us in the community rely upon.”

The 2020 Business of the Year Award will be presented to Brent Peoples of Peoples Financial Planning of Raymond James. The Business of the Year must demonstrate innovative business strategies and practices with a focus on community engagement and employee relations. “Brent Peoples has been instrumental in helping small businesses in Brevard County navigate these unprecedented times and remain afloat,” explained Ayers. Recently, Peoples was named Branch Manager of the Year for the Eastern Division of Raymond James.

The 2020 Corporate Impact of the Year Award is given to a company that focuses on a broad range of economic development activities that demonstrate substantial investment in the community. This year’s award will be given to BPRH. “BRPH’s growth has paralleled the economic development of the Space Coast and Florida as a whole,” said Ayers. “The firm’s ability to complete highly complex, highly technical and award-winning projects has helped many new and expanding companies and institutions cement their success here in our region and beyond.”

Finally, the 2020 William R. “Bill” Ellis Legacy Award will be presented to Joel Boyd of Boyd & Boyd, P.A. The award is named for the late Bill Ellis, who passed away in 2017, and is given to an individual who, through their dedication to the Melbourne Regional Chamber and the broader community, has made a significant impact on the quality of life and business climate in Brevard County. Ellis’ widow, Carol Ellis, will speak at the event, and the award will be presented to Boyd by Jim Ridenour, past board chair for the chamber and the first-ever recipient of the Ellis Legacy Award.

Boyd has practiced law in Brevard County since 1978, and now practices with his son, Mark, at Boyd & Boyd, P.A. Joel served on the chamber’s board of directors and executive committee from 1982 to 1989 and played a direct role in founding numerous chamber “spin-offs” including Keep Brevard Beautiful and the Community Foundation for Brevard. He returned to the chamber’s board from 2005 to 2013 and served as board chair in 2009. He continues to donate his time and talents to numerous community organizations, serving as president of the board of directors for Business Voice of Florida’s Space Coast; legal counsel and planned giving committee for United Way of Brevard; president of the board of trustees and foundation president for the Brevard Museum of Arts and Science, and many others.

Capacity for the event remains limited due concerns regarding COVID-19; however, the chamber is expecting a sold-out crowd of more than 200 attendees.  Event sponsors include:

  • Champion sponsor: Shelter Mortgage Company
  • Leader sponsors: AT&T, Hedrick Brothers Construction
  • Connector sponsors: BRPH, GrayRobinson
  • Cocktail reception sponsor: Peoples Financial Planning of Raymond James
  • VIP after party sponsor: Northrop Grumman
  • Supporter sponsors: L&S Administration Resources, Waste Management and Webster University
  • Event décor provided by: Absolutely Fabulous Event Planning & Rentals
  • Videography provided by: Tradecraft Video
  • Host venue: Hilton Melbourne

The Melbourne Regional Chamber, founded in 1925, represents nearly 1,000 organizations around the Space Coast. It develops and promotes the business interests of its partners through representation, advocacy, education, and support, while contributing to the growth and prosperity of a diverse and vibrant business community. For more information, visit www.melbourneregionalchamber.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: To cover the event, contact Michelle Salyer at 321-917-5224. Photos available upon request.