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Centre County Business Awards

The annual Centre County Business Awards celebrate businesses and individuals’ achievements and contributions to Centre County. From innovative startups to established industry leaders, this annual event highlights the businesses and individuals making a lasting impact in our region. 

Thank you for joining us at the 2025 Centre County Business Awards, presented by Stuckey Automotive, and please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients:

  • Nonprofit of the Year: Centre County Historical Society
  • ATHENA Champion Leadership Award: Rebecca Farmer Force, Marketing & Communications Specialist, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA
  • Emerging Business of the Year: AmpliFLY Video
  • Small Business of the Year: Giv Local
  • Business Leader of the Year: John Sepp, President, PennTerra Engineering
  • Business of the Year: Kish Bank

We look forward to celebrating even more trailblazers in 2026!

Photos: 2025 Centre County Business Awards

Photos by Bona fide Photography

Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors

Stuckey Automotive Dealers Primary Logo
HVAB_Gift
glenn-hawbaker-logo-primary-hr
first-national-bank
leonard-s-fiore-inc-logo
PNC_brilliantly_boring_since_1865_lockup_OrangeGray
Penn State Research
Penn Highlands Healthcare PNG
College Township Industrial Development Authority Logo
BFTP CNP Logo
HVLB-Logo-750x194-1
Geisinger Health Plan Logo
Reliance Bank
Mount Nittany Health Logo
Scholar Hotels Logo
Universal Settlement Services of PA, LLC.
Kish Bank
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PSECU small
Comcast
Fulton-Bank
Penn Terra Engineering, Inc
Ameron Sign
Nittany Valley

Recipient Testimonials

“Being recognized as Nonprofit of the Year at the 2024 Centre County Business Awards was an incredible honor for the State College Food Bank. It brought meaningful awareness to our mission of ensuring food security for our neighbors and highlighted the vital work our team and community do every day.”
A person speaks at a podium.
Allayn BeckExecutive Director, State College Food Bank
"Receiving the ATHENA Champion Leadership Award was a powerful reminder that perseverance, grit, and showing up for others matter. I’m proud to be part of a community that values leadership, connection, and creating opportunities for others."
Three people smiling. The person in the center holds a glass award.
Elizabeth HayJack White Family Director, Happy Valley LaunchBox Powered by PNC Bank
“Being recognized as last year’s Small Business of the Year was an incredible honor for The Centre County Gazette. It affirmed our commitment to local journalism and the strong relationships we’ve built within our community. This recognition motivated our team to continue serving the area with even greater passion and purpose.”
Headshot of Tiara Snare, smiling.
Tiara Snare and StaffGeneral Manager, Centre County Gazette
“Winning the 2024 Business of the Year Award was both an honor and a meaningful milestone for the entire Scholar Hotels team. The award served as a powerful reminder that our efforts to invest in people, places, and purpose are making an impact in Centre County and inspired us to keep raising the bar through community collaboration and innovation.”
Person speaking at podium, holding glass award.
Gary BrandeisCEO, Scholar Hotels
"Being named Emerging Business of the Year at the 2024 Centre County Business Awards was a huge honor for Antifragile Brewing. The CBICC membership that came with the award has helped us build new connections and strengthen our business as we grow here in Centre County.”
John Schaffer
John SchafferCo-Owner, Antifragile Brewing
“Being seen and recognized by my community as Business Leader of the Year was an honor. I'm grateful for my amazing colleagues at KBB for being the BEST team a leader could ever hope to work with and for the Chamber for providing this important recognition for businesses and leaders across Centre County.”
Liz Piazza
Liz PiazzaBroker of Record, Kissinger Bigatel & Brower Realtors