By Bill Cresenzo
bill.cresenzo@insidebiz.com
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Tuesday named Classic Air's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Virginia Beach the Hampton Roads Small Business of the Year.
Employees of the business stood up and cheered when the announcement was made during the chamber's 26th Annual Small Business Awards, held at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center.
Owner Todd Kletz thanked his co-workers and employees and said he was speechless by the honor.
The company's motto is Always on Time ... Or You Don't Pay a Dime. Can't-lose Heating and Air Conditioning Services by Clean, Safe and Reliable Professionals."
The company employs 34 people and has been in business 1979.
The chamber also named the winners of the Small Businesses of the Year for their respective communities:
* A. Reddix & Associates was named Norfolk's Small Business of the Year. The company provides health care management consulting services, specializing in health care for youth and the elderly. Owner Angela Reddix, quoting the poet Maya Angelou, said that when it comes to small businesses, owners must dare to dare."
* Eastern Virginia Family and Cosmetic Dentistry was named Chesapeake's Small Business of the Year. The practice is headed by Dr. Jeffrey Weisberg and his son, Dr. Clay Weisberg. Clay Weisberg said that the practice is successful because of its dedicated staff. Jeffrey Weisberg said he is proud that he has his son on his team.
* Bennett's Creek Farm Market & Deli was named Suffolk's Small Business of the Year. Owners Martha and Jim Shirley accepted the award. They say that they specialize in providing products that their competitors don't.
* Bayside Harley Davidson was named Portsmouth's Small Business of the Year. Owner Maurice Slaughter recalled that years ago when he owned a Burger King franchise, he was so poor that he would hire people based on whether they could fit into the two uniforms he had on hand.
Charles Chuck" A. Schue was given the 2010 Impressions in Print Leadership Award. The President and CEO of Ursa Nav Inc. of Chesapeake, which is a certified service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, said a great leader brings out the hidden talents of those he or she leads.
Mark Klett, president and CEO of Klett Consulting Group, received the Virginia Veteran-Owned Small Business Award. He encouraged other small businesses to actively seek out veterans to hire.
The chamber also announced its Top 10 To Watch," which recognizes some of the fastest-growing small businesses in Hampton Roads. The winners are Asset Recovery International LLC; BK Appraisal Services; Cape Henry Associates Inc.; Endurance Network Services; GSS Gear; HVAC Warehouse; Mad Science of Hampton Roads; Prism Maritime LLC; Providence Computers Inc. and Valkyrie Enterprises.
