Business of the Year

Chatham Homes Realty
Our Business of the Year is a genuine people pleaser business.  Their business started out with one office in a garage bonus room and has grown to three offices over the past couple of years.  With offices in Siler City, Pittsboro and Apex, Chatham Homes Realty is equiped with Residential, Land and Eco-Broker specialists always ready to assist you with your Real Estate needs. 

Chatham Homes Realty knows and loves Chatham County and are dedicated to customer service before and after the sale.  They have increased their number of brokers each year and strive to always provide excellent service.  Their involvement in the county goes beyond their business. The owners are involved in the Ruritan and Rotary Clubs, the Chamber of Commerce, sponsor CORA food pantry drives, support local sports organizations and schools and assist in other community needs.

Kris Howard and her husband Dwayne are the proud owners of Chatham Homes Realty.  Kris has won many awards for Quality Customer Service and instills it in all her agents. 

We are honored to present the Small Business of the Year award to Chatham Homes Realty.

Distinguished Business Person of the Year

Roy Fesel 
This year’s Distinguished Business Person of the Year has worked and lived in California, New England, Florida, and in 1996 decided to make NC his home. For years, he worked in North Carolina and traveled to every corner of the state so he was happy when the opportunity presented itself to open a business in Pittsboro, NC. 

Our Distinguished Business Person goes out of his way to help his clients with their auto servicing needs.  He prides himself on exceptional service at all times.  His professional service goes beyond his business location.  When he is out and about, he makes a point to stop and assist motorists on the side of the road, free of charge.  He has been known to come running when contacted by a panicked wife who was stuck in a ditch with her husband’s treasured vehicle once again assisting and asking for nothing in return but a chance to help out.  He shows his appreciation to his customers in various ways for example, paying for the soldier’s oil change when he learns that the soldier has to ship out upon returning to base.

Roy Fesel, our Distinguished Business Person of the Year, opened his business, Quick Change Oil & Lube, in 2009.  Roy has demonstrated his stability as a business leader not only in his business but in his community.  He has raised funds for non-profits with car washes, donated to Cerebral Palsy, Special Olympics and CORA Food Pantry and has opened and worked after hours doing discounted oil changes for a church fund raiser. He has been a sponsor for Relay for Life, for a local boys NC Warriors Basketball team and a donator to foster parents. 

We are pleased to present the Business Person of the Year award to Roy Fesel.

Community Service Award

Vickie Badrow
Vickie was born in New Jersey.  She attended Sweet Briar College and the NY School of Social Work and later earned her teaching certification from University of Michigan and Oakland University.  Throughout her professional life, she has worked as a social worker, kindergarten teacher, school library manager and was a teacher and librarian at St. Pius School in Michigan for 22 years.  Vickie has 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren, and she lives with her adorable basset hound, Suzie Q.   Vickie enjoys volunteering, spending time with her family, reading, flowers, travel, gardening, and computers.

In 1991, Vickie moved from Michigan to Carolina Meadows, where she has made a name for herself as a volunteer and caring friend.  She has a history of volunteer service including 8 years at N. Chatham Elementary, has volunteered at UNC Hospitals, was instrumental in developing the Carolina Meadows library and was in charge of the Carolina Meadows book fair for many years.  Vickie currently volunteers at Pittsboro Elementary, her church, in the library at Carolina Meadows, recently contributed countless hours helping organize the Carolina Meadows resident Outreach Fair and is a long time champion of Chatham Habitat for Humanity.  She is a constant source of and a vocal advocate for all of Habitat’s needs.  She is always a bright light to staff and existing volunteers. Her smile and sense of humor combined with her many years of dedication are a wonderful example of the joys of her service to the community.  A staff member of a local business spoke of Vickie in this way, “To me, Vickie is a role model, friend and cheerleader, a constant reminder of why I work here and who I want to be when I grow up!”

Vickie is truly an unsung hero disguised as a retiree.

Ambassador of the Year Award

Debbie Hoyt
Our Ambassador of the Year grew up in Lee County, NC, lived in Wake County for 26 years and moved to Chatham County in 2006. She has a strong sales and marketing background, working with Hudson Belk for 10 years and Calvin Klein Cosmetics for 10 years. She has great interpersonal skills and never ever meets a stranger. Her outgoing personality, eye for detail and genuine concern for others makes her an exceptional Real Estate Broker and Chamber Ambassador.

Debbie Hoyt, Ambassador of the Year is a 2010 graduate of the Chamber "Leadership Chatham Program". She has served as Chair of the Ambassador Program since March of this year.  Debbie has put in numerous hours as an Ambassador.  There is rarely a Chamber function that she does not attend.  During her time as an Ambassador, no job has been too small or too big.  She has been a true pleasure to work with and a great asset to the Chamber and its Ambassador Program.

We proudly present the Ambassador of the Year award to Debbie Hoyt.