After doubling in size and relocating into a bigger downtown headquarters last year, Trident Transport was recognized Wednesday as one of the Small Business of the Year award winners by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
In the first major in-person awards program by the local Chamber of the Chamber in nearly three years, Trident Transport was selected as the top Small Business for local businesses with more than 50 employees.
"We're so fortunate to be in this city because Chattanooga has really offered us the chance to find great people and build our business," Heath Haley, CEO of Trident Transport, told more than 300 Chamber leaders during the awards luncheon at Straton Hall.
Haley, who started the business in 2014 along with Mark Harrell, relocated the growing business last year into a bigger downtown headquarters near Chattanooga's riverfront. Trident works with more than 6,000 clients and over 60,000 shippers and has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing businesses in America for three consecutive years.
During Wednesday's awards ceremony, the Chamber also recognized the accounting firm of Market Street Partners, the soft-drink company Double Cola and the health care nonprofit Cempa as Small Business award winners. The companies and nonprofit were selected by a panel of small business volunteers based upon the award recipient's growth, service and community impact.
Cempa has helped provide medical care and help for more than 1,400 patients and provided more than 13,000 Covid-19 tests during the pandemic.
"When Covid hit, our team mobilized quickly and responded to the community's needs in one of the most challenging times," said Shannon Stephenson, CEO of Cempa Community Care.
The Chamber presented its Community Engagement Awards to a half dozen businesses and foundations that judges determined are making the biggest impact on helping the Chattanooga community.
Tennessee American Water, the utility owned by American Water Co, won the business education award for its volunteer and classroom programs on water protection and resources.
The Chattanooga Football Club Foundation was recognized for its after school and summer youth soccer programs, including Chattanooga Sports Ministries and Operation Get Active in partnership with Highland Park Commons.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, the state's biggest health insurer, won the diversity inclusion award for its efforts to hire, promote and involve a more diverse staff among its more than 6,000 employees.
The Tennessee River Gorge Trust was recognized as the winner of the Sustainability Partner award for its work to protect, preserve and educate the public about the resources of the Tennessee River gorge west of Chattanooga.
Second Story Real Estate Management, the Chattanooga-based real estate management company which has expanded to other markets in the Southeast in recent years, won the Family Friendly award for providing more flexibility and family support for its workers.
The Regions Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Regions Bank, was saluted with the Velocity 2040 award in recognition of its support and collaboration to build the Skill Up program, which provides participants with six weeks of training in advanced manufacturing, customer service and information technology.
AWARDS
Small Business awards
* 51-300 employees - Trident Transport
* 21-50 employees - Market Street Partners
* 1-20 employees - Double Cola
* Non-profit - Cempa
Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press
