Columbia County Chamber honors Pollard

Former state Sen. G.B. "Jake" Pollard received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce during a Tuesday banquet.

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Jim Blaylock/Staff

G.B. "Jake" Pollard received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Pollard served as the Columbia County Superior Court clerk for 28 years.

"This truly is just a special treat," Pollard said during his acceptance speech. "I wish to thank you all very much."

Pollard was elected to the state Senate in 1989 and served about six years. Before that he was Columbia County's clerk of Superior Court for nearly 30 years.

A veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Air Force, Pollard is a graduate of Hurst Business College and earned a law degree from Augusta Law School.

"I've always looked up to him, and I always will," said Pierce Blanchard, last year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Pollard's nephew, before handing Pollard the award. "I've always been proud of him, and I always will."

Also during the banquet, held at DoubleTree Hotel, Computer Masters of Augusta was recognized as the Small Business of the Year. Advance Technology Group was Business of the Year.

Other winners were Charles Bennett of Queensborough National Bank and Trust as Ambassador of the Year and Jonathan Wint of Tarpon Capital Management as Diplomat of the Year.

Ambassadors and diplomats mentor chamber members.

Raina Cousino of Cracker Barrel won the James O. McCormick Sr. Award, which was new this year and specifically meant to honor those working in the hospitality industry.