06/17/2025
Local businesses were honored on Friday, June 13, 2025, at the 13th Annual Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala at the Alexandria Convention Center at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel. Winners in each of the Bizzy Award categories were named at the red-carpet event with Mark Hamblen as Master of Ceremonies.
The Presenting Sponsor for the event was P&G Co., which permanently established the Procter & Gamble Citizenship Award.
“Procter & Gamble is pleased to establish an award to recognize individuals and companies for exemplary, service and contributions to their community,” said Tarek Habib, Plant Manager. “The first recipient of the new award is RoyOMartin, a company most deserving of recognition for innovative and impactful corporate citizenship. We thank RoyOMartin for its dedication and support of education, healthcare, children’s issues and organizations who serve the less fortunate in our region.”
The winners of nine categories of the Bizzy Awards were selected among nominees made by the Chamber Board of Directors and Chamber members. Chamber member representatives voted via ballots emailed in an electronic survey. A combination of Chamber votes and those of a panel of judges composed of two Chamber executives and two economic developers from other communities in Louisiana determined the winners. There are special categories of Bizzy Awards that are selected by the sponsors of each award. Those categories are the Red River Bank Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Cleco Innovation Award, Louisiana Central’s “We Make Good Stuff Award,” Rapides Regional Medical Center Community Benefit Award, Crest Industries We Win Together Award, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Heart of Service Award, City of Alexandria’s The Silver Cup and the new Procter & Gamble Citizenship Award.
“The Chamber Board and I are pleased to host the 13th Annual Bizzy Awards,” said Deborah Randolph, President, Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This notable event provides a platform to celebrate and recognize achievements of local businesses and industries serving as economic engines for our region. We sincerely congratulate this year’s winners.”
2025 Bizzy Award Recipients
RoyOMartin Best Overall Business Award: Petron LLC
Procter & Gamble Citizenship Award: RoyOMartin
City of Alexandria, Louisiana - Government – The Silver Cup: Coach Charles Smith
CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital Heart of Service Award: Dion Tanguma
Crest Industries We Win Together Award: Cleco
Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development Award: Jim Clinton
Best Large Business: Womack & Sons Construction Group, Inc.
Red River Bank Entrepreneur of the Year: Valerie Verzwyvelt, Mama V’s Candies
Cleco Innovation Award: Teddy Ray Price, Central Management LLC
Best New Business: Veterans Air LLC
Best Medium Business: Premier Urgentcare
Best Small Business: M&M Sound and Media
Louisiana Central’s “We Make Good Stuff” Award: Dark Woods Adventure Park Dark Woods Adventure Park
Rapides Regional Medical Center Community Benefit Award: UTLX Manufacturing
Best Marketing Campaign: Louisiana Christian University and Beta Engineering
Best Business Website: Paragon Casino Resort
Crowell & Owens Best Non-Profit Organization: Hope House of Central Louisiana, Inc.
Best Curb Appeal of a Business: Alexandria Museum of Art