St. Croix Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the winners of the prestigious Business & Professional Excellence Awards, celebrated at the “Champions of Commerce” Awards Gala on Saturday, May 18th at Grapetree Bay Hotel. The awards recognize outstanding businesses and individuals across various industries who exemplify excellence in: leadership, innovation, customer service, and community impact.
“We are incredibly impressed by the caliber of nominees this year,” said Akeel St. Jean, Esq.,
the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board. “The dedication and achievements of these businesses
and individuals are truly inspiring, and we are honored to recognize them for their
contributions to our community’s economic success.”
Business & Professional Excellence Awards Winners:
- Business of the Year: Quality Food
- Small Business of the Year: IB Designs
- Businessman of the Year: Mafi Hamed, The Market
- Businesswoman of the Year: Kisha Christian, Neighborhood Pharmacy
- New Business of the Year: Fly The Whale
- Non-Profit of the Year: Women’s Coalition of St. Croix
About the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce Business & Professional Excellence Awards
The St. Croix Chamber of Commerce Business & Professional Excellence Awards celebrates the achievements of outstanding businesses and individuals in our community. Five businesses or business professionals were selected per category from an open call for nominations held in October of 2023. In addition to being a member of the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce, requirements for nomination included exemplary leadership, fostering of employment opportunities, quality customer service and positive community involvement. A digital vote was opened to the public from April 10 – May, 2024 which received an unprecedented amount of votes – over 1,700 per category.
Returning for the first time since the pandemic, the annual gala, supports the Chamber’s
Scholarship Fund, which has assisted dozens of young Virgin Islanders throughout the years. In
accomplishing their dreams. The Chamber is eternally grateful for the support of this year’s
sponsors: Brava by Viya, TJ Ocean, VI Lottery, Marshall & Sterling, Popular, Liberty, First Bank,
The Market, J. Benton Construction, Neighborhood Pharmacy, Oriental Bank, Caravelle Hotel &
Casino, Bank of St. Croix, Bohlke, Paradise Freight, Tropical Shipping, Marriott Frenchman’s ,
Daily News, Diageo, Fly The Whale, VI Consortium, Ashley Furniture
Photo credit: Cherise Richards
Photo of winners: (l to r) Kisha Christian, Neighborhood Pharmacy; Stephanie Karalius,
Quality Food; Marcy Heistand, Fly The Whale; Mafi Hamed, The Market
