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West Pasco Chamber Names Top Businesses

Carl Orth/Suncoast News

Brian Singletary, manager of Publix in the Southgate plaza, receives congratulations from Chasco Fiesta chairwoman Cami Austin for the business of the year award for larger firms from West Pasco Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night.

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: February 22, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - West Pasco Chamber of Commerce tapped Beltone Hearing Centers and the Publix Super Market Store in Southgate Shopping Center for its annual business of the year awards during a Thursday night banquet.

A crowd of nearly 200 people also saw Bonnie Howard earn the honorary title Governor of West Pasco for raising the most funds in the annual benefit. Julie Rogers was the runner-up.

Laurel Robinson and Greg Weiss represented Beltone to pick up the honor for businesses with fewer than 25 employees.

Starting in 1973, Beltone began here with two employees and now has a staff of 15, Joe Alpine, Chamber of Commerce president, explained. The organization provides employees a bonus program, health insurance and a 401(k) plan.

Robinson represents the firm on the Chamber of Commerce board of directors. The firm supports Trinity Rotary Club as well as the Pasco PACE Center for Girls, The Community Service Council, the Chamber's Ambassadors and the Education Committee.

Among businesses with more than 26 employees, Publix store 1020 in Southgate, led by store manager Brian Singletary, took home the honor.

The store first opened in 1965. The roster of 85 employees has now grown to a staff of 170.

The corporate headquarters offers employees health insurance coverage, inventory bonus, Christmas bonus, 401k plan and a stock purchase plan. One of the companies proudest achievements was being named one of Fortune magazine's Top 100 Companies to work for the past 11 years.

The company has been a booster of the Chamber, including Gold Medal Sponsor of the Chasco Fiesta event the past 14 years.

Publix also benefits the Pasco School District's Exceptional Student Education Program, as well as assisting numerous schools, churches, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and many other organizations.

Singletary can boast that 14 former associates and department managers are now store managers at other Publix locations.

Many successful business people have worked for Southgate Publix over the years, such as Chuck Grey, Chip Waller and current New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton, to name just a few.

Singletary is the only store manager who has won the company's George W. Jenkins Award for Excellence and the Mr. George Community Service Award.

In the smaller business category, other nominees were Commercial Asset Partners, Emotions to Life Photography, Master Mechanics Inc., Pasco Camera Exchange, Tampa Bay Property Management, The Cleaning Pros, Krauss Organization, Tri-Star Capital & Trust Corporation and Women to Women, PA.

Among the larger firms, other nominees were Genesis School, Hyundai of New Port Richey and Morton Plant North Bay Hospital.

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