The North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet on Saturday, February 7, celebrating excellence in education and business while recognizing the individuals who shape the community’s future.
As part of the event, Bradford School Superintendent Will Hartley recognized the district’s teachers of the year and school-related employees of the year.
“In 25 years of school grades, Bradford County has never been higher than a C district until last year,” the superintendent said, crediting the achievement to the district’s dedicated staff members.
School-related employees of the year included District School-Related Employee of the Year, Starke Elementary’s Dawn Cullingford, Christine Collins of the district office, Lawtey Elementary’s Sandra Acree, Bradford High School’s Stacy Dyal, Bradford Elementary’s Cheryl Chalker, North Florida Technical College’s Aleta Durant and Heath Vann from transportation and maintenance.
Teachers of the Year were District Teacher of the Year from Bradford Elementary, Bobbie Douglas; Starke Elementary’s Jessica Archibald; Bradford Middle School’s Phylicia Petteway; Bradford High School’s Rebecca Wilhite: Lawtey Elementary’s Billy Stroud and David Bukowski from North Florida Technical College.
The chamber also presented business awards to outstanding community members. Leisa Sims of It’s Your Day Bridal and Formal Boutique received the Business of the Year award. Sims has served the community for 14 years and actively participates in numerous local organizations and events, including serving on the education foundation board.
“She makes for the most beautiful and special days for a lot of people, be it their wedding or a pageant, or first birthdays, bridal showers,” said Chamber President Pam Whittle. The president also thanked Sims’s event management team for working the chamber banquet.
Seth Bell, part-owner and general manager of Titan Chevrolet, was honored with the J.E. Tomlinson Businessperson of the Year award. Whittle said Bell has become an integral part of the community since arriving, participating in local events, including the fair, strawberry festival, and Christmas parade.
Crystal Rosier received the Judy Becker Volunteer of the Year award for her community service work. Rosier launched the Well Worn Way nonprofit in August, which rescues functional household items and redistributes them to families in need.
“The bed poverty in this town is really heavy on my heart, the amount of children sleeping just wherever they fall,” Rosier said in her acceptance speech. She is currently seeking a building to establish a thrift store to expand the organization’s reach.
The chamber recognized outgoing board members Brad Smith, who served as chair for the past year and seven years total, Rhonda Hamilton after six years of service, and Steve Futch, also completing six years.
Justis Smith was introduced as the 2026 chamber chair, with Scott Kornegay serving as chair elect and Chris Page as treasurer.
Event sponsors included First Federal Bank, VyStar Credit Union, DLP Bank, and Clay Electric Cooperative. Catering was provided by the Downtown Grill, with decorations by Leisa Sims and her team.
