Q&A with CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott
The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) has officially opened nominations for the 2025 Centre County Business Awards, and now is the time to help spotlight the individuals and organizations making a difference in the Centre County community. We caught up with Greg Scott, President and CEO of the Chamber, to learn more about the awards and how you can help recognize Centre County’s best and brightest.
Q: What are the Centre County Business Awards all about?
A: These awards celebrate the businesses, nonprofits, and leaders who are helping to shape the future of Centre County through exceptional leadership, innovative practices, and measured community impact. Each award is a way to say “Thank you” to those who go above and beyond to make our region a great play to live, work, and play.
Q: Who can nominate?
A: Anyone can submit nominations for the awards. That’s part of what makes these awards so impactful. Nominations come from all corners of the community for nominees that are really out in their communities, making a difference. Whether you’re a customer, colleague, community member, or fellow business owner, your nomination could help give a leader or business the recognition they truly deserve.
Q: Who can be nominated?
A: Nominees must be a person or business within Centre County and—with the exception of our Emerging Business of the Year category—must be CBICC member. The Emerging Business of the Year honoree is awarded a complimentary CBICC membership for one year. This is to help them continue to grow their new business and build connections in the area.
You can view a list of active CBICC members here.
Q: What are the award categories?
A: There are six categories, each designed to highlight a different area of impact in our business community:
The ATHENA Champion Leadership Award recognizes an individual who serves as an ally, advocate, or catalyst in promoting women’s leadership, foster diversity, and provide support to underrepresented employees in the workplace. This award is internationally recognized by ATHENA International.
Nonprofit of the Year recognizes a nonprofit organization that had significant impact on the community through programs, service, and dedication to its mission.
Small Business of the Year honors a business with ten or fewer full-time employees, strong customer loyalty, a dedicated and engaged team, and visionary leadership committed to sustainable growth and future success.
Emerging Business of the Year honors a business that was established or opened within the past three years and has achieved early success, demonstrated strong growth potential, and positioned itself as a promising industry leader and innovator.
Business Leader of the Year recognizes an individual whose expertise has guided their business or organization to success, enhancing its reputation through operational excellence, innovative programs, and a strong commitment to employee and community engagement.
Finally, Business of the Year recognizes an outstanding business that aligns with the Chamber’s mission to promote community well-being and economic development in Centre County. The recipient must have a proven track record of significant positive impact in Centre County in the past twelve months.
Q: What should nominators include in their submissions?
A: The more details, the better! In the fall, our dedicated awards committee will spend hours assessing each nomination against the category criteria and making group decisions about which submissions will advance as finalists. Because of the volume of submissions this team must review, it is so important that nominees include details, facts, and even data—where applicable—to ensure that the panel fully understands the impact of each nominee.
Q: Why do these awards matter for Centre County?
A: These awards help us tell the story of our local economy and the people and organizations that make our region thrive. We have so much talent right here in Centre County—people taking risks, supporting others, building community, and pushing boundaries. Highlighting these efforts provides recognition to those who don’t normally receive or expect it, promotes business excellence, and strengthens a sense of pride and connection in our business community.
Q: How can someone submit a nomination?
A: Those interested in submitting nominations can view the full nomination form and criteria at www.cbicc.org/awards. The deadline to nominate is Friday, September 5th at the end of the day, and we encourage you to submit your nominations early.
Q: When are the winners announced?
A: This year’s award recipients will be honored at the 2025 Centre County Business Awards reception on October 23, held at the Nittany Lion Inn. It’s always an inspiring and exciting event. Registration will open in August, and sponsorship opportunities are currently available—reach out to a member of the CBICC team if you’re interested in learning more about those!
Q: How can an organization become a CBICC member?
A: Any new or existing business or organization interested in being part of a network of engaged professionals and getting involved in shaping Centre County’s future is welcome to join the Chamber. You can find membership details on our website (www.cbicc.org/join-the-chamber) or reach out to Director of Membership Melissa Roth at melissa@cbicc.org with any questions.
