Business

LIGHTNING PHOTOS: Chamber bestows top awards

2014 chair Molly Parkhill thanks outgoing chair Chuck Edwards for his service.

By Bill Moss, Published: February 1, 2014

A South Florida transplant who served as a civic leader while helping lead one of Hendersonville's most productive and respected construction companies for more than three decades was honored Friday night with the G. Ray Cantrell Award, the highest award presented at the annual Henderson County Chamber of Commerce.

James A. "Jim" Maher has been involved in local efforts to promote and recruit business for many years during his professional and civic career in Hendersonville.
Born in West Palm Beach, Fla., and raised in Boca Raton, Maher earned a degree in business administration and accounting from Florida State University and worked in his home state as a Certified Public Accountant.
When Maher and his family moved to Hendersonville, he took a job with Pete Green's construction company, serving for 35 years as vice president for finance, controller and other management posts. The Green Group, which included residential and commercial development and property management and affiliated trusts, has built homes, subdivisions, shopping centers and businesses in Henderson County for more than four decades.
During his years of involvement with the Chamber of Commerce, Maher served as a founding member and chair of the Committee of 100 and a member and chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors.
In addition he has served as president, vice chairman and chairman of the Pardee Hospital Board of Directors, treasurer of Blue Ridge Community Health Services Inc. and a board member of the Community Foundation of Henderson County.
He remains active in the Florida State University Alumni Association and FSU University Center Club, the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and the Hendersonville Country Club.
He and his wife, Alysia "Lisa" Maher, have two daughters, Kim and Shannon.
Other awards presented Friday at the 91st annual dinner were:

• Ambassador of the Year presented by Four Seasons Compassion for Life: David Jordan, presented by: Derek Groves of Four Seasons Compassion for Life, and Paul Parker of Carolina Information Technology Resource Corporation and 2013 Ambassador Committee Co-Chairman
• Small Business Leader of the Year presented by The Van Winkle Law Firm: Dan Poeta, Horizon Heating & Air Conditioning, presented by Michael Thompson of the Van Winkle Law Firm, and Mark Isabelli of Edward Jones Investments and 2013 Small Business Committee Co-Chairman.
• Environmental Sustainability Award: Highland Lake Inn, presented by Vikki Bailey, Asheville Savings Bank.
• Education Champion Award presented by Wingate University: Kelly Schofield, Dana Elementary School principal, presented by Mark Bryant of Wingate University.
• Camp Industry Leader Award, Frank Bell Jr., Camp Mondamin; presented by Fair Waggoner, United Community Bank.
• Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award: Eleanor Meloun, presented by Craig DeBrew, Duke Energy
• First Citizens Bank Amazing Customer Service Award: Summit Marketing Group, presented by Greg Burnette, First Citizens Bank.