Washington County Economic Alliance and the Chamber recently held their 11th Annual Golf and Gathering in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the organization on Tuesday, September 26. The Greenville Golf and Country Club hosted 72 golfers and over 200 attendees for the dinner and program. After presentations by CEO Justin Burch and Chamber Director Mary Catherine Brooks, several awards were presented.
The 2023 Larry Cazavan Leadership Award was presented to community leader and volunteer, Nathan Benzing, Executive Director of United Way of Washington County. “Nathan has been an advocate for Washington County since he and his family moved here a decade ago,” said WCEA CEO Justin Burch. Through his time and work with Greater Greenville and now through United Way, Nathan has always put the needs of our residents at the forefront of his work. Having served in a multitude of volunteer positions for service organizations, he is always willing to help anytime he is called upon and that spirit can also be seen in his wife, Janet Benzing and their two children.
The 2023 Betty Lynn Cameron Ambassador of the Year Award was presented to Mrs. Geraldine Bailey-McIntosh. Geraldine is a long-standing member of the Ambassadors and resident of Greenville. She is heavily involved at her church, House of Prayer Church of God, where she serves as a greeter, the treasurer, and assistant manager of their food pantry. “Mrs. Geraldine is a shining example of what it means to be an Ambassador,” said Chamber Director Mary Catherine Brooks. “We can always count on her to answer our calls, volunteer her time at the office, work at our events, and be a champion for our Chamber and for our community.”
There were three inaugural awards presented this year. The Cary Karlson award, created in honor of the years of work and dedication he gave Washington County as an employee, volunteer and leader, was presented to WCEA Past President, Brad Hathaway.
WCEA and the Chamber invited event sponsors to submit nominations for the 2023 Businesswoman and Businessman of the Year awards. An anonymous committee selected two very deserving recipients of both awards out of many impressive nominations.
This year’s 2023 Businesswoman of the Year was presented to Sarah Kramer Ozbun, CEO of Delta Lodging Group. Sarah was nominated by Managing Member of DLG, Suresh Chawla, who stated, “there is no greater advocate of the Mississippi Delta than Sarah,” and her tenure in the Delta since 2012 proves that. She is a member of several community organizations including Rotary Club and the Executive Committee of WCEA Board of Directors. She is a graduate of the Mississippi Economic Council Leadership class and will serve on its Board of Governors for 2024. Sarah began her journey in Washington County with the Delta Democrat Times as a staff writer, eventually becoming an award-winning Managing Editor. She used her writing skills most recently to cover the deadly tornado that devastated Rolling Fork and Silver City when the New York Times reached out to her. Sarah resides in Greenville with her husband, Greenville Police Department Lieutenant Andy Ozbun, and they have three children.
The 2023 Businessman of the Year award was presented to Roscoe Greene, Harlow’s Casino Resort and Spa President and General Manager. Roscoe serves our community through various service organizations including WCEA Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and United Way of Washington County, among others. Recently, United Way recognized Harlow’s with the prestigious James Trimm Key Play of the Year award and was ranked #2 overall for team and corporate participation in top contributors to Untied Way. Nominated by Martha Dorsey, Financial Controller of Harlow’s, she noted his dedication to making positive contributions to Washington County and surrounding communities through a multitude of outlets. “This award is an acknowledgment of Roscoe’s dedication, hard work, and tireless efforts that have not only elevated his business but have also set a shining example for all of us,” said Chamber Director Mary Catherine Brooks.
