News

Chamber honors Cam Boyd, Helene Heroes and business stars

Hendersonville City Manager John Connet (left) and Henderson County Manager John Mitchell (right) received the Duke Energy Citizenship Award, presented by Craig DeBrew, for their leadership in the days and weeks after Hurricane Helene. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Bill Moss, Published: February 5, 2025

The G. Ray Cantrell Award, the highest honor the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce bestows, was given posthumously to Cam Boyd during the chamber’s annual awards last week that also recognized two stalwarts who led the Hurricane Helene emergency response and recovery, Duke Energy’s massive effort to get the power back on, a youth club that stepped up to create a schoolhouse for Atkinson students, a local manufacturer that designed a cardboard bed used by athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a champion of workforce development and others.

A leader in civic and business life

Born and raised in Henderson County, Lewis Campbell “Cam” Boyd Jr. led the family car dealership that has been a cornerstone of Hendersonville for three generations. It all started when Cam’s father, Lewis Boyd, opened a Gulf service station at the corner of Church Street and Fourth Avenue West. To supplement the business, he began selling Pontiacs from the lot — a humble beginning that would become Boyd Automotive.

Cam Boyd Jr. was a proud graduate of Hendersonville High School, where he was honored as an outstanding alumnus and inducted into the HHS Hall of Fame. He attended Gardner-Webb University and graduated from the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. Cam served four years in the U.S. Air Force, including three years in Minot, North Dakota, and one year in Vietnam. After returning to Hendersonville in 1969, he joined Boyd Pontiac Cadillac Buick Inc., then purchased the business from his father in 1982.

Cam’s community involvement until his death last Sept. 24 was unparalleled. He supported and actively participated in the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, St. James Episcopal Church, the Elks Club, Masonic Lodge and the American Legion, among many other organizations. He served on the Board of Directors for the Flat Rock Playhouse, Historic Flat Rock, Pardee Hospital, First Federal Savings & Loan, First Citizens Bank and the North Carolina Automotive Dealers Association. Cam was a member of the Shrine Club, Rotary, Hendersonville Country Club and Lake Summit Property Owners. He endowed the Boyd Scholarship, honoring his father by providing scholarships to students pursuing automotive technician programs at Blue Ridge Community College.

Accepting the Cantrell award was Cam’s son, Lewis Campbell “Les” Boyd III.

 

Duke Energy Citizenship Award

Two local government managers who repurposed their entire workforce into a Hurricane Helene emergency response corps received the Duke Energy Citizenship Award. The award honored Henderson County Manager John Mitchell and Hendersonville City Manager John Connet for quick and decisive action that helped the city and county recover from the crisis.

“It’s often said that tough times create strong leaders, and our community proved that to be true,” said presenter Craig DeBrew of Duke Energy. “We were fortunate to have an outpouring of leaders who rose to the occasion—working tirelessly to save lives, provide shelter, deliver food, clear roads, repair infrastructure, and so much more to help mitigate the widespread damage caused by the storm. … These two leaders, though they would be the first to redirect the credit to others, were the driving force behind our recovery efforts. Without them, our community would have faced even greater challenges.”

 

Amazing Customer Service Award

Duke Energy, winner of the First Citizens Bank Customer Service Award, faced a 1,000-year challenge when Helene struck.

While the storm impacted everyone at some level, the utility suffered very significant impacts to their system. By the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 27, nearly all of Duke Energy’s 69,000 customers in Henderson County were without service.

No one could have predicted the magnitude of the damage Helene would inflict on the Carolinas, not even one of the nation’s largest utilities with its own in-house meteorologists and sophisticated modeling. Two million customers were without service — 1.4 million in North Carolina.

As soon as the storm had passed and conditions became safe, the hard-hat first responders went to work to restore power to the most critical customers — hospitals, 911 centers, sewer treatment plants, water plants and emergency shelters.

Ultimately, the company deployed more than 20,000 workers from 32 states and four Canadian providences. The company set up 34 base camps in the two states, with one of the largest being in the parking lot of the Asheville Outlet Mall. These mini-cities provided workers the essential services they needed as they worked tirelessly to restore power.

“I cannot find the words to convey my admiration for the miraculous work you, and the many, many support teams have done to restore service,” a mayor told a Duke executive days after Helene. “On the Saturday immediately following the storm, I was convinced it would be weeks, or months, before the level of progress I now see could be achieved. Most of our town has been restored and, in the community where I live, the last person received power late this afternoon. What has happened is truly a miracle. Thank you, and we are indebted to you and your teams.”

 

Education Champion Award

Chosen each year by the chamber’s  & Education Committee, the Education Champion Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have had a meaningful and significant impact through advocacy, leadership and direct action.

This year’s winner, Shanda Bedoian, is director of corporate & customized training with Blue Ridge Community College. A champion for education and workforce development in Henderson and Transylvania counties, Bedoian has transformed workforce training by creating customized programs that empower businesses and individuals alike. She has been instrumental, too, in expanding apprenticeship opportunities in advanced manufacturing, automotive services, business, education, healthcare and skilled trades, providing local workers with the skills they need to succeed and our local employers the talent that they need.

 

Camp Industry Leadership Award

The Camp Industry Leadership Award, which recognizes organizations and individuals whose dedication and leadership enrich the lives of youth through the camp experience, honored the North Carolina Youth Camp Association.

Delivering an annual economic impact exceeding $100 million in Henderson County, the industry made up of some 20 summer camps creates jobs, generates tax revenue and boosts local spending—all while fostering lifelong memories for campers from across the globe.

Representing more than 60 camps and associated members across the state, the NCYCA serves as the voice of North Carolina camps. At the onset of the coronavirus epidemic, association played a crucial role in helping camps navigate restrictions, reopen safely and remain operational. After Hurricane Helene, NCYCA stepped up once again, collecting and sharing data on damages and challenges faced by camps and working to ensure all camps can re-open at full capacity for the 2025 camp season.

 

Top 4 Under 40 – Young Professionals

Now in their second year, the Top 4 Under 40 awards celebrate exceptional young professionals who exemplify leadership, innovation and dedication in their fields. Awards were presented in three categories:

• Entrepreneurial Excellence – Toni Warren. Co-owner of Warren Restoration, Toni is a dynamic leader whose entrepreneurial spirit has strengthened Hendersonville’s economy and community. With her guidance, the family-owned business has grown market share, created local jobs and filled a critical need for reliable disaster restoration services. Her innovative approach and dedication to her team and clients have made Warren Restoration a benchmark in the industry. Beyond her business, she serves on boards, supports nonprofits and champions local initiatives, exemplifying her deep commitment to making a lasting impact.

• Community Impact – Kayla Castro. A transformative leader dedicated to education and creating opportunities for everyone, Castro has made a profound impact on Henderson County public schools and the community. As a district leadership coach, she empowers schools to achieve measurable results through leadership development, goal-setting and data-driven strategies. From leading Edneyville Elementary to achieve prestigious Lighthouse Certification to coordinating vital resources for families affected by Hurricane Helene, Castro’s compassion and innovative spirit shine in every role she takes on.

• Rising Star – Aimee Aiken. Aiken is a standout leader at Express Employment Professionals, where she plays a crucial role in connecting businesses with employees and supporting thousands of job placements across Western North Carolina. She is deeply committed to the success and well-being of both individuals seeking employment and businesses in need of talent. Aiken is an advocate for young professionals and economic development in the region, constantly sharing her knowledge and expertise to help break the mold of limited career opportunities.

• Rising Star – Samantha Spain. Spain has quickly become a key player at Kenmure Country Club and KemperSports, demonstrating extraordinary growth and innovation in her role as marketing director. In just two years, she has mastered new skills, including website design and management and has redefined the club’s approach to marketing and community engagement. She has also made a lasting impact on the Henderson community by bridging the gap between Kenmure’s private membership and the broader public.

 

Small Business Leader Award

Stacy Fields and Mini Batch Bakery received the Small Business Leader Award for 2024. The bakery has become a beloved staple in the community, bringing joy to customers with delicious baked goods while exemplifying the values of hard work, creativity and service. What began as a small side venture with Raspberry Fields has grown into a thriving business, thanks to Stacy’s passion, perseverance and dedication—even in the face of challenges like the Seventh Avenue streetscape construction.

During the construction, Mini Batch Bakery found innovative ways to stay connected with customers, taking the bakery on the road and serving new customers at businesses, events, festivals and more. Stacy has also remained active in the community, supporting a variety of community non-profits and organizations. She is an active sponsor of Business Morning Update, where chamber members and guests can treat themselves to her delicious treats six times a year.

Other quarterly winners were Stuller Power Solutions, led by Brian and Cheryl Stuller; Hulsey Media, led by Brett Hulsey; and Salty Landing, led by Mike Wiemers.

 

Industrialist of the Year

Lassonde Pappas, a manufacturer that has been a part of Henderson County for more than 50 years, was honored as Industrialist of the Year.

While the company has gone through several name changes over the years—from Northland Cranberries to Clement Pappas and now Lassonde Pappas—the core of what it does has remained the same: press, process and bottle fruit drinks for consumers nationwide.

The company’s newest investment is a state-of-the-art single-serve aseptic juice production line—the first of its kind for a U.S. company—and a newly expanded 104,000-square-foot distribution center. As a result, the company is hiring new employees and has already committed to an additional $20 million investment to further expand the Hendersonville facility.

Jay Frazier, who is leading the expansion efforts at Lassonde Pappas and re-engaging the company with the local community, accepted the award.

 

Nonprofit of the Year

Since its founding in 1993 by Tom and Sue Fazio, the Boys & Girls Club has remained steadfast in its mission of helping local youth grow into responsible, caring citizens. Guided by their core values of Self-Determination, Accountability, Respect, Optimism, and Excellence, the Club now serves around 1,200 youth annually, offering a safe and supportive environment after school.

When Atkinson Elementary was heavily damaged by flooding from Helene, the Boys & Girls Club volunteered its space for use by the school for more than two months. In addition, the club raised more than $180,000 to meet the immediate needs of families hardest hit by the storm, showing extraordinary compassion and leadership during a time of crisis. For its unwavering commitment to the community, Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County was honored as Nonprofit of the Year.

Environmental Sustainability Award

Established in 2012, the Environmental Sustainability Award celebrates organizations that are “Doing Good” in the community while also demonstrating how these efforts are “Good for Business.” This

year’s winner, WestRock Smurfit, is an exemplary leader in both environmental sustainability and business innovation.

Among its impressive strides in sustainability were installation of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout their facility in 2019, significantly reducing energy consumption; replacing the plant’s black roof with a reflective white roof last year, cutting down on the need for air conditioning and further lowering energy demand; and replacing equipment that generated hazardous waste with advanced machines that produce zero waste.

WestRock Smurfit also has been a pioneer in eliminating plastic from packaging, replacing the traditional plastic six-pack carrier with a fully recyclable paper version now used by many major drink brands nationwide. Notably, WestRock Smurfit’s innovation team designed a cardboard bed for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The beds, used by athletes and recycled post-Games, were both sustainable and functional. Smurfit delivered 16,000 beds for the Games.

Ambassador of the Year

Presented by the Four Seasons Foundation, the Ambassador of the Year was Justin Moody of Hampton Inn. Moody has worked his way up from marketing director to general manager of two successful Hilton-flagged properties in the community.

A chamber ambassador for nearly two years, Moody’s dedication to supporting local businesses and fostering connections shines through his active participation in ribbon cuttings, Business After Hours, AM Power Hours, and other Chamber events. Beyond his ambassador role, Justin has been a key member of the Young Professionals Committee and has played an essential part in the success of the Camp Field Day Committee since 2019.

The other three quarterly recipients were Cindy Novak, of Tom Plumber Asheville; Cheyenne Mathews, of ALLCHOICE Insurance; and Elizabeth Estrada, of Rule Your World Marketing.