About & Award History
ABOUT US
The Pearland Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer intensive organization driven by the entrepreneurial spirit, is proud to encompass a group of visionaries leading the way for others to follow on the road to our city’s progress and promotion of commerce in the Gulf Coast region.
For over 50 years, this commerce driven organization has been the voice of business, with a mission to build business, leaders and community by championing a pro-business agenda. Formed in 1963 by a group of business professionals concerned about the progress of Pearland, this organization was charged with creating job opportunities through stimulation of industrial and commercial growth.
Dynamic leaders continue to lead the way in improving economic development and quality of life for our members and citizens.
Armed with passion and vision, our members, board of directors, volunteers, and staff combine power and energy to build upon progress. Whatever the needs of our members, we will continue to be the vehicle for building success and prosperity.
The Pearland Chamber of Commerce was honored with the prestigious 2023 ACCE Chamber of the Year award in Category One, spotlighting their innovative approach to workforce development and business advocacy. Through the launch of a metaverse-style website, WorkinPearland.com, they created a comprehensive job board and resource center, facilitating over 1,800 interactions between job seekers and employers. This forward-thinking initiative not only showcased their commitment to addressing local workforce challenges but also positioned them as a leader in leveraging technology for community and economic development.
BUSINESS AWARD HISTORY
In 2021, the Pearland Chamber of Commerce decided to honor prominent business leaders and companies who have made extraordinary contributes to Pearland, and earned the respect of the local community.
This award will annually induct a business or individual into the Business Hall of Fame who meets the following criteria:
- In Pearland for thirty or more years
- Contributes to our city through economic and community support
- Provides examples of innovation and stability for future businesses to follow
2023 INDUCTEE
O'DAY RENTAL & HARDWARE
est. 1984
2022 INDUCTEE
PEARLAND LUMBER & ACE HARDWARE
est. 1952
2021 INDUCTEE
KOZA'S INC.
est. 1965
The Business of the Year Award began in 1976 to recognize and honor an outstanding business demonstrating leadership, creativity, and integrity in operating a successful business in the Pearland area. The business must be:
- A for-profit business
- Financially stable
- Located in the Pearland area
- A current member of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce
2023 | HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland
2022 | Endress + Hauser
2021 | Central Texas BBQ
2020 | State Farm Ins - Ed Thompson
2019 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor - Large Business of the Year
2019 | Epic Services, Inc. - Small Business of the Year
2018 | H-E-B - Large Business of the Year
2018 | Pearland Lumber & Ace Hardware - Small Business of the Year
2017 | The Media Heroes
2016 | Memorial Hermann
2015 | Coder for Rent
2014 | ADDI Printing
2013 | Big Star Ford
2012 | Killum Pest Control
2011 | Third Coast Terminals
2010 | HEB Plus!
2009 | Best Coupon Magazine
2008 | Aggreko
2007 | The Pearland Clinic
2006 | Pearland Journal
2005 | Silver Pear Business Park
2004 | A & A Cleaning Services
2003 | Pearland State Bank
2002 | First Community Bank
2001 | Strouhal Tire Center
2000 | Pearland College Center
1999 | Frost Bank
1998 | First Impression Sign
1997 | Memorial Hermann Southeast
1996 | Strickland Chevrolet
1995 | Coppinger YMCA
1994 | Reporter News
1993 | Howard Johnson
1992 | SW Bell Telephone Co.
1991 | Pearland Printing
1990 | CPI Group
1987 | Gulf Coast Entertainment
1985 | Ramada Inn Hobby
1984 | HL&P
1981 | Birdsong Printing 1982 McDonald’s
1979 | Kroger
1978 | Gibson’s
1977 | Pearland State Bank
1976 | Delta Savings
Many factors are considered when selecting Member of the Year. Some of our members volunteer their time as it helps promote their business, others step up and become engaged with becoming member of a committee, while others increase their involvement by taking an active leadership role. Financial contributions are not overlooked though they are definitely not the only consideration. We appreciate all of the roles each member fills in this one big association puzzle.
2020 | Southfork Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
2019 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
2018 | Berkeley Eye Center
2017 | Casa Ole
2016 | Eye Styles of Pearland
2015 | Any Lab Test Now-Pearland
2014 | HomeTown Bank Pearland
2013 | Texas Emergency Care
2012 | Linda Darnell-Allstate
2011 | Stadia Grill
2010 | Dr. David Armbuster, Dr. Freddy Cessac, Dr. Lloyd Ferguson
2008 | ARI Construction
2007 | Barry Insurance Group
2006 | JSC Federal Credit Union
2005 | John Baxter
2004 | Pearland ISD
2003 | Henry Stanaland
2002 | Christian Corl
2001 | Associated Credit Union
2000 | Bill Jarnot
1999 | Sharie Frisinger
1998 | Jennifer Worrel
1997 | Tammy Kane
1996 | Tom Reid – Mayor Emeritus
1995 | Lyn & Jad McGuff
1994 | Bill Walsh
1993 | Sharan Northrup
1992 | Shirley Perry
1991 | Marvin Elam
1990 | Connie Beaumont
1987 | Ted Shannon
1986 | Sharon Wicker
1985 | W.D. Grady
1984 | Dennis Frauenberger
1982 | Paula Scardino
1981 | Otto Schroeder
1979 | Richard Simpson
1978 | Sal Russo
1977 | Violet Mushrush
1976 | Bob Christiansen
INDIVIDUAL AWARD HISTORY
The Steve Friedman Ambassador of the Year Award is based on points and the demonstration of leadership, attitude, and volunteerism. Members of the Ambassadors, the Board of Directors and Chamber staff all take part in selecting the Ambassador volunteer they feel has done an outstanding job.
2023 | Rigoberto Juarez
2022 | Richard Vaughan
2021 | Shobi Raj
2020 | Darrell Borden
2019 | Norma Guerra-Martinez
2018 | Cindy Leach
2017 | Lety Jimenez-Ler
2016 | John Moellenkamp
2015 | Fay Watson
2014 | Linda Darnell
2013 | Dr. Melanie Melancon
2012 | K’Nicole Ogg
2011 | Ruby Sandars
2010 | Mona Chavarria
2009 | Eric Melass
2008 | Rick Laughlin
2007 | John Hundley
2006 | Donna Behanna
2005 | Cecilia Cooper
2004 | Steve Friedman
The Pearland Chamber of Commerce began recognizing outstanding leadership and service with a Citizen of the Year Award in 1978. A nominee must be known for outstanding contributions toward the benefit of others. The nominee should be someone who has exceeded the call of his or her every day job in service to the community. The individual does not have to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce to be nominated or to receive this award.
2022 | Mona Chavarria
2021 | Crystal Carbone
2020 | Rev. Jim Liberatore
2019 | Dr. Nathan Vaduganathan
2018 | Mike Yost
2017 | Tom Allen
2016 | Dr. William Staples
2015 | Mayor Tom Reid
2014 | Craig Slater
2013 | Judge Gordon Starkenburg
2012 | Ed Thompson
2011 | Sonny Foraker
2010 | Laneigh Clark
Tony Heath
Mike Orlando
2009 | Dr. Susan Lenamon
2008 | Erin & Robert Steele
2007 | C.B. “Buck” Stevens
2006 | Susie Wilcox
2005 | Dale Pillow
2004 | Renee McGuire
2003 | Becky Cornelius
2002 | Ruby Lee Sandars
2001 | Carl Perry
2000 | Hita Dickson
1999 | Janet Berry
1998 | Joel Guiterrez
1997 | Dave & Helen Beckman
1995 | 10 Stars on Broadway -
Javier Caballero
Marji Carns
Joan Cummings
Glenda Dawson
Bob Gillebaard
Lorraine Grubbs
Carl Halik
Pat Henderson
Joe Roach
Link Williams
1994 | Mayor Vic Coppinger
1993 | Naomi Taylor
Matt Zepeda
1992 | Marvin Chipman
1991 | Coach Leon Sablatura
1990 | Dr. Jack Harris
1989 | Dr. Bobby & Lucy Stevener
1988 | Delores Fenwick
1987 | Mayor Vic Coppinger
1986 | Rev. Don Willis
1986 | Mayor Tom Reid
1985 | Dot Raska
1984 | Howard Crosby
1982 | Rev. Don Willis
1981 | Melvin O. Knapp
1979 | Hopi Soria
1978 | Mary Bristow - EMS
The outgoing Chair of the Chamber has the honor of giving an award to someone who assisted them through their year of leadership. The award is someone who helped them be a better leader.