SMALL/MEDIUM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR … ElliAnn’s Boutique of Bryan received the Small/Medium Business of the Year Award by the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce. Receiving the award was from left Misty King and Matt King.
PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR … Potter, Inc. Of Bryan received the Large Business of the Year Award by the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet on Wednesday, March 4. Receiving the award from left were Kathy Struble, Marie Campbell and Steve Voigt.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce held its 79th annual banquet on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge in Bryan.
The banquet’s theme was “Denim & Diamonds.” Executive Director Erica Noggle welcomed guests and delivered opening remarks, and Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade gave the invocation.
Guests were served dinner provided by Grant’s Catering of Antwerp, followed by a dessert dash fundraiser to benefit the city’s fireworks display this summer. The fundraiser raised more than $10,000.
Following dinner, outgoing chamber president Rod Saunders passed the gavel to incoming president Stacy Swary for 2026.
“My expectations are high for engagement and volunteering,” said Swary. “I’m happy to say that all of our board members have committed to at least one if not multiple events for this year. We were excited to lead by example through the board.”
Swary noted the chamber’s expansion of meeting and training opportunities, which included updating the conference room to make it more comfortable with seating for 25 people.
“That has already shown to be beneficial by some of the exciting things that we’ve started to be doing in 2026,” said Swary.
She highlighted the chamber’s new “Morning Mingle” networking event, held one Thursday a month.
“It’s a good option for people who aren’t interested in ‘Business After Hours’ or just don’t have evening time,” Swary said. “Go for an hour in the morning, have coffee, and you have somebody that speaks about what their business is doing right now.
“It’s just kind of a roundtable of the people who are there sort of updating on what is going on in the world whether they say they work or whatever else they do. It’s a great opportunity for more networking and strengthening our community business relations.”
Swary commented that the chamber had a lot of big ideas last year, especially after Noggle came on board as executive director almost a year ago.
“To be successful in these big picture ideas that we have, we really have to start at the bottom of the ship, to rebuild from the bottom,” said Swary. “That’s what we’re doing and that’s how we are moving forward and that’s the way we’re going to be successful in the future.”
Swary also addressed the future of Oktoberfest, which was not held last year. There are no plans for the event this year.
“I’m only going to bring this up because we did have lengthy conversations regarding if we can do it, how we can do it, if it can even work and what it will look like to bring it back,” she said.
“I know the community really enjoyed it and they were disappointed to see it go,” Swary continued, adding that the resources and volunteer base needed to pull off an event of that size are more than the chamber can manage this year. “There is nothing wrong with that.”
To promote more volunteer involvement in chamber-related activities, Swary said the chamber will be offering volunteer sponsorships this year.
“You commit to us [the chamber] a certain number of people for any event you choose, and you’ll be recognized as an event sponsor,” she added.
“Send your people in your own company’s way and you’re basically a walking billboard doing great things for the community. It’s really going to boost your employee morale and relationships.
“I’ve been fortunate to work for an organization for the last 14 years that has been extremely passionate about encouraging their employees to serve our communities. It’s part of our mission statement.”
Noggle, who has been executive director since last March, thanked those who have helped her over the past year.
“I want to personally thank those individuals that have supported me, encouraged me throughout the year and for those who have stepped in just the right moments to help me out in any challenges and simply lending a helping hand,” said Noggle. “There have truly been times when these individuals have come to my rescue and I’m thankful.”
Among her plans for the upcoming year, Noggle said the chamber is preparing to launch an all-in-one membership management system called Chamber Nation.
“We have received e-mails from Chamber Nation, and they are legit, and we acknowledge them,” said Noggle.
“This platform not only provides more accessible information about what is happening in the chamber, but it also creates and expands opportunities for our newest members to promote, engage, and connect.”
Noggle said the transition reflects the chamber’s commitment to growth and excellence. By bringing membership management, billing, event registration and communications into one system, the chamber can operate more efficiently and with greater intentionality.
“That efficiency allows us to focus and strengthen the business community,” she said.
Noggle added that the chamber is building an organization that is more professional, more welcoming and fully committed to delivering meaningful value to members and the community.
She said the platform will serve as a hub for online sales and member resources, with workshops planned throughout the year to help members learn how to use it.
Chamber Vice President Mike Jacobs then presented three awards.
ElliAnn’s Boutique received the Small/Medium Business of the Year Award. Owners Matt and Misty King accepted the award for the downtown business, which opened in 2020.
“We are very honored to receive this award and actually were kind of surprised, because ElliAnn’s hasn’t been around for very long and still have a lot to accomplish,” said King.
“This award does not only go to Matt and me, but also to our team who are also here tonight. We are very excited to see what is in store for small businesses in Bryan in the coming year.”
Potter, Inc. of Bryan received the Large Business of the Year Award. Senior management team members Steve Voigt, Kathy Struble and Marie Campbell accepted the award.
The company was founded in 1977 with an original focus on plastic pots and has since grown into a dynamic organization that manufactures, imports and designs innovative products. The company supplies supermarket floral and produce departments nationwide.
“On behalf of our senior management team, Marie Campbell, Kathy Struble, along with myself, I just want to thank you again and express our appreciation for this recognition,” said Voigt.
“What the truth is this community is really what we rely on the most. It’s the people here and most importantly our employees. Their families and our neighbors and everyone that makes it possible; we’re grateful for them.
“From the schools, the parks, the library, the YMCA, the beautiful downtown, plus all the organizations and volunteers who give their time and energy — so many people work hard to make this great place a place that we call home.
“We’re very proud to be a part of this community, the values, the service, and pride in where we live. On behalf of everyone at Potter, all of the employees, thank you for this honor and all you do to make Bryan and this area a great place to live and work. We look to be around for another fifty years.”
This year’s Business Person of the Year Award was presented to Mary Lozowski, owner of Endless Creations in downtown Bryan, who serves on the chamber board as second vice president.
Before presenting the award, Jacobs credited Lozowski for quietly going the extra mile — supporting fundraisers, selling raffle tickets and checking in on the chamber to see how she could help.
“I had no idea, but I wanted to cry,” said Lozowski after receiving her award. “This town is more than any town I have ever been to, and this is a better place to be. Thank you and I appreciate it.”
The featured speaker was Ashley Maibach, who resides in Paulding. She and her husband, Mitch Maibach, own Grounded Coffee & Crumbs, Northern Sky Leasing and Rooted Community. Rooted Community is a parachurch ministry focused on discipleship and outreach.
Her presentation focused on what communities like Bryan are doing to strengthen themselves.
“I really wanted to see what other communities are doing,” said Maibach. “By coming here tonight and listening to you guys talk about your dedication and the love you have for your community, it kind of lights a little bit inside of me.
“I see something in you guys that I just want you to recognize that you guys all came together tonight to come celebrate one another. You’re not just celebrating yourself, and that’s because you care about one another.”
