'About community': Daytona Chamber honors top businesses, Volusia, Flagler leaders

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES ― Corrine Heck got a standing ovation when her company, Details Flowers Software, was honored as the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce's "Small Business of the Year" on Wednesday.

The chamber's 10th annual awards luncheon drew more than 200 people who witnessed the presentation of the award to Heck. The event also celebrated the region's "Nonprofit of the Year," "Young Professional of the Year," and 2023 recipient of the "Marvin Samuels Memorial Leadership Award" for community service.

Entrepreneur's 'journey' comes full circle

Holding back tears, Heck told the audience that receiving her award was especially meaningful because of where the luncheon was held: The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores.

"Over 15 years ago, I was here (at the hotel) crafting exquisite floral arrangements for countless weddings and events," Heck recalled.

It was during those years that Heck got the idea to create software programs that could allow her, and other florists, to work more efficiently.

The Shores Resort was also where Heck made her first pitch to investors for the startup capital to launch her new venture.

Details Flowers Software today provides web-based services ― including proposal creation, inventory management and pricing and profitability analysis ― to over 800 event florists around the world. The Ormond Beach firm employs 10 people.

"I'm grateful to my hometown for enabling me to bring this vision to life," she said in thanking her family, mentors, investors and employees. "This award isn't just a recognition of my individual efforts. It is the celebration of teamwork, creativity and innovation.

"What I've learned throughout my journey is that to truly make a difference, one must embrace boldness, moments of failure, but also that we must take action."

'Young Professional of Year' thanks mentors

Kelis Patel, a communications specialist at Brown & Brown Insurance, was named Young Professional of the Year. Patel is social chair for the Volusia Young Professionals Group. She also mentors a high school student and is a volunteer in community efforts.

"I am both thankful and humbled," Patel said after being presented the award by Volusia YPG President Nina Hosseini.

Patel began her job at Brown & Brown in October 2020. She thanked her mentors at the company "for believing in me, guiding, supporting and shaping me into the young professional that I am today."

Leadership Award honors difference makers

Joni Hunt, vice president of government affairs at Halifax Health, received the 2023 Marvin Samuels Memorial Leadership Award.

The award is named after the late Daytona Beach attorney who graduated from the chamber's inaugural Leadership Daytona class in 1981.

Samuels who died in 1988 "came to embody the spirit of Leadership Daytona. He worked to make a positive impact on our community," said Matt Hoffman of Florida Health Care Plans. Hoffman chairs the Leadership Daytona Alumni Council.

The leadership award is given each year to a Leadership Daytona alumnus "who has not just participated in community service, but has made a distinctive difference," Hoffman said.

That perfectly describes Hunt, who over the years has served on over 20 volunteer boards in Volusia County, including Food Brings Hope, Civic League of the Halifax Area, and Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Statuary Fund. For many years, she also co-led the Leadership Daytona Alumni Council with Bo Brewer.

Looking at the audience, Hoffman noted that Hunt has made a positive impact on "most of us in this room."

Hunt thanked her family, friends and Halifax Health teammates.

"I couldn't do any of this without you and it is my honor to serve alongside with you as we care for our community all day, every day," she said. "I share this award with you."

Nonprofit winner: 'It really is about community'

The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia, led by CEO DJ Lebo, was named Nonprofit of the Year.

The group provides funding for child care services to low-income and disadvantaged families and works to provide school readiness and voluntary pre-kindergarten programs in Volusia and Flagler counties.

"I think that Joni and Kelis said it well: it really is about community," said Lebo. "As I look around this room, I think of all the partnerships we've had ... and the reminders of (the need to) keep doing it."

Chamber's chair and chair-elect also spoke

Nellie Lupoli of ICI Homes, the chamber's 2023 board chair, summarized the organization's accomplishments this past year. They included the start of an extensive renovation of the chamber's office building on City Island. The project is on track to be completed by April 1, 2024.

The chamber also launched new programs and was recently honored as this year's recipient of the Florida Chamber of Commerce's Chair Award for its work and focus on education.

"The Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce is strong and vibrant," said Lupoli. "Together we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the prosperity of our region and as we face new challenges and opportunities, we must remember that our strength lies in our unity."

Michael Sibley, a partner with James Moore & Co. CPAs & Consultants, also spoke as the chamber's chair-elect for 2024. He said his goal will be to lead the organization on "a transformative journey to make the chamber of commerce your go-to place for impromptu meetings, a hub for training and collaboration and a steadfast advocate for connecting businesses."

"As we move forward into 2024, we will continue to be a driving force for economic growth, a resource for businesses of all sizes, and a pillar of support for our members."

Two more awards to be presented in February

The chamber will present its Glenn Ritchey Leadership Award and J. Hyatt Brown Enterprise Award at its 104th annual dinner meeting on Feb. 2, 2024 at Daytona International Speedway. The winners have yet to be announced. The event will also feature the ceremonial passing of the chairman's gavel from Lupoli to Sibley, even though he actually assumes the role Jan. 1.

The Daytona Regional Chamber is Volusia County's largest chamber of commerce with 925 members.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Chamber honors top businesses, Volusia, Flagler leaders