The Chamber Ambassadors are a group of members who make a huge impact on the work we do for membership – we couldn’t do it without you. Ambassadors are typically busy with their own businesses but make time to represent the Chamber at the many ribbon cuttings throughout the year, volunteer at Chamber events, attend Business After Hours, and stay up to speed with Chamber happenings at monthly networking lunches. This year’s award is presented to Shelley Eyerly. Shelly has had a challenging journey over the past couple of years with debilitating back pain. Despite that, Shelley has gone above and beyond to represent Chamber this year – with big energy and a smile on her face.

As one of the founding members of the Blue Ridge Lodging Association in 2009, Greg has helped manage the Blues & BBQ festival for the past 11 years. Not only is he the man behind the scenes making sure you hear all the incredible bands, but he also works all year round securing the perfect musical line up for the event. Along with the support of other volunteers, Greg has been a part of donating over $100,000 to local charities impacting children over the past 11 years. Greg volunteers with Snack in a backpack, Freedom for Fido, TroutFest, along with several other charities. He is a graduate from Leadership Fannin, past Chamber Ambassador, and is an Adopt A Road sponsor.
While originally from Oregon, Greg initially discovered the Blue Ridge area in the 80’s as an avid kayaker, hiker, and mountain biker. By ‘90, he bought his first lot on the Toccoa River, which was the start of what is now known as the Toccoa House Properties. The past 32 years have led to acquiring eight adjacent riverfront lots, and the building of cabins, a pool, trails, disc golf, a quarter mile of river frontage, and a multi-use Chapel/Event space, making it one of the most unique properties in the area.
He loves to contribute the property’s assets whenever he can and has donated The Toccoa Chapel for several fundraisers.

The Community Service Award is presented to a Chamber member business that has made an outstanding contribution to the community, and this year’s award winner is a long-time friend of the Chamber and of many here tonight, Kevin Panter Insurance. In the past year alone, Kevin and his team devoted time and funding to local athletics, spearheaded the Drive-by-Trick or treat Halloween event, donated Halloween bags to the elementary schools, and contributed gifts to the local Humane Society and Animal Control at Christmas.
Kevin has been in the insurance business for over 30 years and started his business because he wanted to help friends and family who were struggling to find the coverage they needed. Today, the business has 14 employees and serves over 3000 clients.
Kevin is a graduate of Leadership Fannin and has been involved with the Chamber for many years. He is a current board member, who is very active in our events. In 2014 he served as Chairman, and during his time in this leadership role, he attended every ribbon cutting, business after hours and chamber event. As a Kiwanis volunteer for over 25 years, Kevin continues to spearhead the Rodeo year after year.
Kevin has been a volunteer firefighter for around 40 years and in 2016 his office started the 911 sign project. Not only does 911 signs help first responders and better protects your family, but proceeds go to the Fannin County Fire Department. Thank you for your significant impact through volunteerism and support for this community over the many years you have been in business.

The Heart of the Community Award is presented to a non-profit organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the community. In 2009 a group of neighbors who worked in the school system noticed that many children were having trouble concentrating on Mondays but were alert the remainder of the school week. When asked what was wrong, the students would reply that they had little to nothing to eat on the weekends and during school breaks. Hunger was impacting their school attendance, behavior, ability to focus, and health.
Snack in a Backpack began as a grassroots effort serving 60 students the first year in grades 1 through 5 with just a small group of local supporters. Volunteers started packing bags of food and snacks to be passed out on Fridays to kids who were hungry over the weekends. What started in 2009 with just a few students has grown to over 500 students each week, serving 7 schools, 2 preschools and 3 crisis programs during the school year. Snack in a Backpack in conjunction with Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club, Faith Presbyterian Church, Fannin County Family Connection, Feed Fannin, and St. Lukes Episcopal Church also delivered 44,900 meals during the 2022 Summer Meals Program, serving the same children during the summer vacation months.
With the help of a generous community and hundreds of volunteers, Snack in a Backpack has delivered over one million meals since it’s humble beginnings in 2009.
Thank you to this amazing organization, Snack in a Backpack, for ensuring all of Fannin’s children have food.

Honorary membership is a special award presented to retired or retiring members who have demonstrated long term service to the Chamber and/or the community. This year is extra special – Joe and Cilla Cipolla are being awarded lifetime membership together. Before their most recent retirement, Joe and Cilla owned Dairy Queen and Papa’s Pizza. Both Joe and Cilla have supported our community throughout the years with both volunteerism with Blue Ridge Business Association, Light Up Blue Ridge, Feed Fannin, and many other organizations. They also donated food for over a year to Fannin Regional Hospital health care professionals during COVID and donated food to just about any charity or sporting event who asked for donations. They have given countless hours and donations all over Fannin County. Joe and Cilla not only went out of their way to help others, but they did also it with a smile and genuine concern in their hearts.

Britton Quintrell and Rob Kaser