Outstanding achievements by businesses and individuals in the arena of community development and service are recognized through seven coveted awards presented at the annual banquet of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
Exemplary Enterprise Award
R. Clay Simmons Exemplary Enterprise Award
Given in memory of R. Clay Simmons, an exemplar of Starkville’s finest in community and business leadership, this award recognizes firms that have made outstanding contributions to the community and have manifested superior business practices.
Initiated in 1995, the award is given annually to a for-profit business firm in the greater Starkville area by the R. Clay Simmons Foundation through the Chamber of Commerce Division of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
PAST RECIPIENTS
- 2021 — Camgian
- 2020 — Strange Brew Coffeehouse
- 2019 — Northeast Exterminating
- 2018 — Starkville Radiology
- 2017 — Renasant Bank
- 2016 —Eat Local Starkville
- 2015 — Eat With Us Group
- 2014 – Mark Castleberry and Castle Properties
- 2013 – Cadence Bank
- 2012 – BancorpSouth
- 2011 – Tabor Management & Construction
- 2010 – Metrocast
- 2009 – Prudential Starkville Properties
- 2008 – Thomas Shelton Jones and Associates
- 2007 – T.E. Lott and Company
- 2006 – Bell Building Supply
- 2005 – The Book Mart
- 2004 – East Mississippi Lumber Company
- 2003 – Coldwell Banker SRE Realtors
- 2002 – Starkville Buses
- 2001 – Bulldog Deli
- 2000 – VanLandingham Lumber Company
- 1999 – Sullivan’s Office Supply
- 1998 – National Bank of Commerce
- 1997 – C.C. Clark Inc.
- 1996 – Millsaps Chevrolet-Pontiac-Buick-GMC, Inc.
- 1995 – Mullins Department Store
Community Service Award
T. E. Veitch Community Service Award
The most prestigious recognition of accorded by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership each year is the T. E. Veitch Community Service Award. The award recognizes members of the community who have performed outstanding community service and civic contributions.
Past Recipients
- 2021 — Ruth de la Cruz
- 2020 – Nellah Taylor
- 2019 — Nina Welch Wofford
- 2018 — Andrew Gaston
- 2017 — Eileen Carr-Tabb
- 2016 — Barbara R Coats
- 2015 — Lorin Zimmerman
- 2014 – Michelle Jones
- 2013 – Paige Lawes
- 2012 – Lynn Phillips- Gaines
- 2011 – Freddie Rasberry & Peggy Branch
- 2010 – Bill Poe
- 2009 – Jeremiah Dumas & Tammy Tyndall Carlisle
- 2008 – Keith Remy
- 2007 – Dr. Ann Mitchell
- 2006 – Dr. Fenton Peters
- 2005 – Dr. Charles and Pat Lee
- 2004 – Joan Wilson
- 2003 – Dr. Armando de la Cruz
- 2002 – Jack Wallace
- 2001 – Rex Buffington
- 2000 – Joe and Leota Cardwell
- 1999 – Eleanor “Pinks” Dudley
- 1998 – Maurice Evans
- 1997 – Roland Jones
- 1996 – Tommy Tomlinson
- 1995 – William H. Ward
- 1994 – Frank Chiles
- 1993 – Wilson Ashford
- 1992 – Lewis Mallory
- 1991 – Peggy Mullins
- 1989 – Honey Johnston
- 1988 – Beverly K. Jones
- 1987 – L.L. Mullins, Sr.
- 1986 – Jorga Turnipseed
- 1985 – Rosa Stewart
- 1984 – Jack Cook
- 1983 – John Mitchell
- 1982 – R. Clay Simmons
- 1981 – Wilburn R. Sudduth
- 1980 – Margo Swain
- 1979 – John R. Arnold
Tourism Award
Crystal Pineapple Tourism Award
The pineapple has been the symbol of hospitality since Colonial times. The Crystal Pineapple Tourism Award recognizes and celebrates the success of an individual, business, or organization that has contributed significantly to the success of tourism in the Starkville community. Award recipients are selected by the Partnership’s Convention and Visitors Bureau division.
Past Recipients
- 2021 — Mississippi State Baseball National Champions
- 2020 – The late Dan Camp
- 2019 — City of Starkville Parks & Recreation
- 2018 — Orientation & Events
- 2017 — Starkville Police Department
- 2016 — Mississippi State Women’s Basketball
- 2015 — Castle Properties, The Mill at MSU
- 2014 – Mississippi State University Football Team
- 2013 – Mississippi State University Baseball Team
- 2012 – Starkville CVB’s Marketing Team: Kathy Jacobs, Melissa Dixon, and Haley Montgomery
- 2011- Starkville Electric Department
- 2010 – Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum
- 2009 – Mississippi State University Athletic Department
- 2008 – Starkville Area Arts Council
- 2007 – Coach Ron Polk and the MSU Baseball Team
- 2006 – Mississippi Horse Park
- 2005 – Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Committee
- 2004 – Chief Lindley and the Starkville Police Department
- 2003 – The late Dr. Joe Cardwell and Leota Cardwell
- 2002 – Larry Templeton
- 2001 – Dr. Donald Zacharias
Industry of the Year Award
Oktibbeha County Industry of the Year Award
This award goes to an industry that has shown excellence in the previous year in innovation, growth, community involvement or leadership. The winner is selected by the OCEDA board of directors and the criteria are based on many factors outside of specific growth numbers and hard data.
Past Recipients
- 2021 – GLO
- 2020 – II-VI
- 2019 – Babel Street
- 2016 – CSPIRE
- 2015 – CC Clark
- 2014 – OCH Regional Medical Center
- 2013 – Southwire
- 2012 – MFJ Enterprises
- 2011 – Gulf States Manufacturers
- 2010 – Clark Beverage Group
- 2009 – Weavexx
- 2008 – Gulf States Manufacturers
- 2007 – MFJ Enterprises
- 2006 – SemiSouth Laboratories
- 2005 – ClientLogic
- 2004 – Oktibbeha County Hospital
- 2003 – Synergetics
- 2002 – Weavexx
- 2001 – MPI Software Technology, Inc.
- 2000 – Garan Manufacturing
- 1999 – Southwire
- 1998 – FESCO
Service to the Military Award
Service to the Military Award
Awarded annually, the Service to the Military Award recognizes organizations and individuals who have provided significant service to the military community of Oktibbeha County. The award may be given for a single significant event or in recognition of sustained support over the years. View the award criteria and nomination procedure.
Past Recipients
- 2016 — Jack Wallace
- 2014 – (no recipient)
- 2013 – Robert Green/Jeff Donald
- 2012 – CSM (Ret) Wayne Hemphill
- 2011 – Lorene Cox
- 2010 – Bill Poe and Joan Wilson
- 2009 – Gulf States Manufacturing
- 2008 – Starkville Daily News
Ambassador of the Year Award
Ambassador of the Year
Each year the Ambassadors select one of their own members to be recognized as Ambassador of the Year. This recognition is based on outstanding dedication and service, as well as creative thinking and enthusiasm for our community. This often manifests in special projects or activities that become important contributions to our community and the Partnership.
Past Recipients
- 2021 – Melissa Rogers
- 2020 – Peggy Buckley, Melanie Mitchell, Pat Lane, and Nina Welch Wofford were honored for their years of service since the Ambassador program creation.
- 2019 — Donna Sims
- 2018 — Libby Gerald
- 2017 — Anna-Marie Foster Nickels
- 2016 — Cory Lucius
- 2015 — Mary Jane Runnels
- 2014 – Candy Crecink
- 2013 – Melanie Mitchell
- 2012 – Pat Lane
- 2011 – Darlene Comish
- 2010 – Libby Gerald
- 2009 – Carolyn Jackson
- 2008 – Regina Byrne
- 2007 – Peggy Buckley
- 2006 – Melanie Linder
- 2005 – Phil Hartness
- 2004 – Paige Hunt
- 2003 – Jeff Donald
Main Street Partner of the Year Award
Main Street Association Partner of the Year Award
The Main Street Association Partner of the Year is presented annually to individuals and businesses that support the economic vitality and vibrancy of the downtown district.
Past Recipients
- 2021 — Starkville Utilities
- 2020 – Mayor Lynn Spruill
- 2018 — Michelle Jones
- 2017 — Peggy Mullins Buckley
- 2016 — Carolyn Sullivan
- 2014 — Jones Shoe Shop
Education Hall of Fame
Education Hall of Fame Award
The Education Hall of Fame Award recognizes area residents who have achieved state, regional, and national recognition in the field of education. It honors those who have achieved distinction in the field of education through their teaching, research, writing, academic achievements, and professional society participation.
Past Recipients
- 2014 – Dr. Stan Miller
- 2013 – Ty Adair
- 2012- Amy Ellis McReynolds
- 2011- Bill Simmons
- 2010 – Ms. Robin Dibble, Dr. Denise Rowan, and Mr. Bill Simmons
- Previous recipients
Nominations
Nominations for the R. Clay Simmons Award and T.E. Veitch Award open on October 19th and close on November 30th.
