Back 
Nagle is the first living recipient of the award in three years. Probate Judge Pat Hardaway received it last year, and developer Jake Ivey received it in 2011.
Presented at the chamber’s eighth annual banquet, Nagle’s prize comes on the heels of the Bill Barr Leadership Award, the highest honor from the Georgia School Superintendents Association.
“I cannot begin to tell you … what it has meant to be a part of such great things in Columbia County,” Nagle said in accepting the chamber award.
Also Tuesday, Kendrick Paint and Body was named the Business of the Year, and Shane’s Rib Shack was named the Small Business of the Year. The chamber also recognized its volunteers, naming Johnny Harmon, of AT&T, as Ambassador of the Year and Kimberly Tate, of Gold Cross EMS, as Volunteer of the Year.
District 3 County Commissioner Charles Allen was recognized as an honorary ambassador because of his frequent support of chamber functions.
A new award recognizing a Leadership Columbia County alumnus went to Barry Barth, who recently retired as the general manager of Fox television station WFXG (54).
Held at the Legends Club in Augusta, the event originally was scheduled to take place at Fort Gordon’s Gordon Club but moved because of renovations.
The change meant a slightly downsized banquet, said chamber President and CEO Tammy Shepherd.
The chamber is waiting to see the finished Gateway events center before deciding whether the banquet can be held inside the county next year, she said.
