Celebrating Excellence: 2026 Centre County Business Award Winners
CENTRE COUNTY, PA – October 21, 2026 – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) awarded the 2026 Centre County Business Awards, presented by Stuckey Automotive to six local businesses and individuals. The annual ceremony took place in the Nittany Lion Inn Ballroom on October 21.
The event was emceed by CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott, who highlighted the importance of recognizing excellence across the Centre County business community.
“Tonight is about much more than six awards. We have 18 outstanding finalists representing an incredible range of businesses, organizations, and leadership throughout Centre County, and each of them has made a meaningful contribution to this community,” said Scott. “What makes Centre County special isn't any one business or institution. It's the people who take a risk on an idea, invest and grow right here, mentor others, and work every day to improve the lives of their neighbors. When we recognize excellence and support one another, we help create an environment where more businesses can succeed and our entire community benefits.”
The award recipients are as follows:
- ATHENA Champion Leadership Award: Carol Eicher
Throughout her career, Carol Eicher has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to leadership, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others, particularly women. As a human resources professional at Penn State and a longtime community leader, Carol has dedicated more than two decades to making Centre County a more welcoming and inclusive place to live and work.
She co-founded the Community Diversity Group in 2001 and helped establish mentoring programs and the Cultural Empowerment for Women Luncheon Series, connecting women from diverse backgrounds with resources, relationships, and opportunities to grow. What makes Carol's leadership so special is her belief that everyone deserves to be valued, included, and empowered to contribute.
Through her tireless volunteerism, mentorship, and community leadership, Carol has opened doors for countless individuals and helped strengthen the fabric of our community.
- Nonprofit of the Year: Discovery Space
Since opening in 2011, Discovery Space has grown from a children's science center into an extraordinary community resource, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. With more than 210,000 visits and over 60,000 children and families reached through outreach and after-school programs, its impact extends well beyond Centre County.
Through innovative STEM programming and The Rivet, its community makerspace, Discovery Space is not only inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators, but also supporting workforce development, entrepreneurship, and more than 125 local businesses. Equally impressive is its commitment to making these opportunities accessible to all families, regardless of financial circumstances.
Discovery Space demonstrates how a nonprofit can continually evolve to meet the needs of its community, opening doors to learning, discovery, and opportunity for people of all ages.
- Emerging Business of the Year: Justin Leusner Media
What began as a student startup founded by Penn State alumnus Justin Leusner, has grown into a nationally recognized sports media company, reaching millions of fans across the country. With more than one billion video views, Justin Leusner Media has built an impressive digital media brand, working with major organizations including the NBA, Disney+, YouTube, and Gatorade.
With support from Penn State's entrepreneurial ecosystem and organizations like Happy Valley LaunchBox and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Justin Leusner Media has turned an innovative idea into a thriving business with national reach. Along the way, the company continues to provide opportunities for Penn State students to gain valuable real-world experience.
Justin Leusner Media is a great representation of the next generation of entrepreneurship right here in Centre County.
- Small Business of the Year: Harpers
This year, Harpers celebrates an extraordinary milestone — 100 years of serving our community! What began in 1926 has grown into one of downtown State College's most recognizable and beloved businesses, carried forward today by third-generation owner Brian Cohen and his wife, Lisa.
Over the years, Harpers has demonstrated that even a century-old business can continue to innovate and grow. From expanding into a beautiful new downtown location to opening a second store here at the historic Nittany Lion Inn, Harpers continues to invest in our community. But beyond its success in retail, Harpers represents something even more meaningful; generations of family commitment, community involvement, and a belief in the importance of supporting the place they call home.
One hundred years in business is an incredible achievement, and Harpers is a wonderful example of the enduring strength of locally owned businesses.
- Business Leader of the Year: Edward Tubbs
Through his leadership of HAMCO and Lion Country Lodging, Edward has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to investing in Centre County. With nearly $100 million in hospitality development underway, Edward is helping transform our region's lodging and tourism landscape. From the recently opened Tru by Hilton near Bellefonte, to the new Home2 Suites under construction near Shiloh Road, and plans for additional development along the Bellefonte Waterfront, his investments are creating jobs, strengthening our visitor economy, and demonstrating tremendous confidence in Centre County.
Edwards's leadership extends well beyond his own business interests. As a CBICC Board member and a member of various other boards in the community, he generously contributes his time, experience, and perspective to strengthening our broader business community.
Edward represents the kind of visionary leadership, long-term commitment, and willingness to invest that helps move our entire region forward.
- Business of the Year: DiamondBack Covers
What began as an idea at Penn State has grown into an extraordinary manufacturing success story right here in Centre County. Today, DiamondBack manufactures its innovative truck bed covers in Philipsburg, employs approximately 150 people across its operations, and ships its products to customers in all 50 states, generating more than $50 million in annual revenue.
What makes DiamondBack especially deserving of this recognition goes well beyond its business success. In 2025, the company launched an employee ownership program, giving team members a direct stake in the company's future. DiamondBack also commits 1% of its annual revenue to charitable giving, invests in developing future leaders, and provides employees with opportunities to give back through volunteer service.
DiamondBack is a shining example of how business success, investment in people, and a commitment to community can go hand in hand.
“This is always one of the most special evenings of the year. We have an extraordinary business community, filled with people who are building successful companies, creating jobs, supporting their employees, and finding new ways to give back,” said Cheryl Johnson, CBICC Board Chair.
The Centre County Business Awards is a cornerstone CBICC event recognizing outstanding achievement through a peer-led nomination and selection process. This year’s program drew a record number of nominations, which were reviewed and discussed by a diverse panel of community and business leaders serving on the Awards Selection Committee.
Beyond the six recipients, the evening celebrated all 18 finalists and the broader story they tell about Centre County. Collectively, this year's honorees reflect the range of what drives the local economy: century-old family businesses and first-generation startups, nonprofits expanding access to opportunity, and leaders investing their time and resources back into the region. Recognizing that work publicly reinforces a culture where excellence is celebrated, success is shared, and businesses are encouraged to build and grow here in Centre County.
This event is organized by CBICC and made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Stuckey Automotive, Marketing Sponsor Penn State Smeal College of Business, Registration Sponsor Geisinger Health Plan, awards sponsors: Penn State Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, College Township Industrial Development Authority, Leonard S. Fiore, PNC Bank, Reliance Bank, Penn Highlands Healthcare, and additional sponsors: Warfel Construction, Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., Mount Nittany Health, Scholar Hotel, Centre 1st Bank, PSU Transportation Services, M&T Bank, Fulton Bank, Morelli Realty, Hospitality Asset Management Company Lion Country Lodging, Kish Bank, PSECU, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Plum Pristine Clean, Centre Foundation and Poole Anderson Construction, LLC.
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About the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is a dynamic membership organization that champions the interests of private and public organizations. As the region’s leading economic development entity, the CBICC is committed to cultivating a vibrant business landscape by driving economic development, stimulating job creation, and fostering innovation. Learn more at www.cbicc.org.
