The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce recognized area business leaders that have made their mark this year at its annual awards event, “2019 Branded Innovation” Friday, Oct. 25 at Shell Hall, World Golf Village.
David Godwin, with Transamerica Agency Network, Inc., received the Ponte Vedra Ambassador of the Year Award, dedicated in memory of Grace Hayes, former editor of the Ponte Vedra Recorder.
Robin Burchfield, with St. Augustine Youth Services, received Ambassador of the Year. Other award winners included: Beth Sweeny, with Flagler College, Public Policy Member of the Year; Mary O’Brien, with Meridian Waste, President’s Award; Cecil Gibson, Ameris Bank, President’s Award; Jim Bush, with Florida Power & Light Co., 2019 Chamber Member of the Year; Vested Metals, Small Business of the Year; and Melissa Rowe with Puroclean Emergency Restoration Services, Chairman’s Award.
Keynote speaker Craig Dickman, Managing Director for Titletown Tech, and a believer in “one size fits one in innovation,” engaged in a conversation with the audience during his speech after the awards.
After he received his commemorative trophy, Godwin said, “It feels great to have won. It’s an honor for sure.”
Godwin said he enjoys being an Ambassador with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, because it makes him feel like he is part of something larger than himself.
He said he is also enjoying success in his career in insurance, after serving in the U.S. Navy for 14 years and in the U.S. Army for 3 years. He served in a special operations group that worked with Navy Seals—as a combat rescue swimmer, who jumped out of helicopters.
“Now I do insurance,” he said. “How about that for a transition? I love it. I get to help families with a certain future.” Selling life insurance, he said, “I give people a guaranteed future for their loved ones.”
