The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2022 Business Awards Dinner Sept. 29, recognizing those who are doing great work and business in our community.
The winners are:
- Emerging Business of the Year - Jeremiah's Italian Ice
- Business of the Year - Hampton Inn by Hilton
- Queen Creek Educator of the Year - Cyndy Carlton, American Leadership Academy
- Volunteer of the Year - Jen Masse
Cyndy Carlton is the choir and orchestra teacher at American Leadership Academy Ironwood High School. She won the “Queen Creek Educator of the Year” award out of a total of 27 teachers nominated and was one of three finalists.
"She is a beloved teacher who greatly impacts her band, choir and orchestra students," said Sabina Hales, communications manager with Charter One/American Leadership Academy.
"Emerging Business of the Year" Jeremiah's Italian Ice opened in Queen Creek on June 8, 2021 and immediately, franchise owners Becky and Mark Leonard got involved with community service. The couple moved to Queen Creek five years ago and wanted to bring something they love to the community.
"We love living here in Queen Creek because of the small town feel," Becky said. "Even though it's growing, we are happy to help build on Queen Creek's success and to keep that small town feel that makes this town special." Read more HERE.
This year's "Volunteer of the Year" Jen Masse created the Side by Side Christmas Parade in Queen Creek with her husband, Nick Masse. Read more HERE.
Masse said they started the Side by Side Christmas Parade "to help spread joy by dressing up our off-roading vehicles with Christmas lights and parading through the neighborhoods." The fourth annual holiday light parade is currently in the works and is growing every year. Stay tuned for details.
"Business of the Year" Hampton Inn by Hilton came to town in December 2020, opening the town's first ever hotel just before Christmas that year.
“This is our second Hampton by Hilton product and we were so excited to be able to bring the first hotel to Queen Creek,” said Samantha Stallings, corporate director of operations and sales with HD Hospitality. Read more HERE.
