Shaw Presented Lifetime Achievement Award at Chamber Celebration

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce celebrated with an award gathering Tuesday night at the Currahee Club.

It is the 75th year of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce and there were 14 award winners. The Chamber also presented plaques and recognized chamber partners.

Rick Phillips of the Phillips Group presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Billy Shaw and listed Shaw’s athletic accolades. ” Tonight, I have the honor of introducing a gentleman that is near and dear to my heart. Billy is a member of the Ga. Sports Hall Of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and Wall of Champions, Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame, The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. He was selected as a guard for the 1960’s All-Pro Team. He is the only member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame that played his entire career in the AFL and currently serves in the Enshrinement Assistance Program for the last 17 years.”

Phillips said the Shaw has also been involved for many years on the local level in Toccoa-Stephens County. “After Billy retired from football, he founded Shaw Concrete Products. He served two terms on the Stephens County Board of Education and twice as Chairman. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Stephens County Recreation Department for five years. In 2020, he was awarded the Distinguished Citizens Award from the NEGA Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He co-chaired the Northeast Georgia Go Tell It Crusade in Toccoa. Billy has fifteen immediate members of his family that has been or currently is serving in education. That’s Phenomenal.”

Other awards presented included:

Bob Evans Chairman’s Award; Jeremy Spradlin

Spirit of Community: Christian Hamilton

Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Emily Hayes

Excellence in Business: ASI Southeast

Non-Profit of the Year: Reins of Life

Ferrell Morgan Entrepreneur of the Year: Marvin Dunson of Currahee Vineyards and Winery

Agriculture Business of the Year: Owens Farm and Home Supply

L.P. “Bub” Greer Industry of the Year: Patterson Pump

Retail Business of the Year: Alexander’s Flowers and Gifts

Ben F. Cheek Service and Professional Business of the Year: Just Right Catering

Volunteer of the Year: Laura Williams of North Georgia Credit Union.

Young Professional of the Year: Stephen Wallace of ASI Southeast.

Tourism and Promotion Award: The Friends of the Ritz.