Opelika’s Christie Hill State Farm Insurance Recognized
CONTRIBUTED BY THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OF ALABAMA
OPELIKA —
The Partnership of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) last week unveiled the 2022 Small Business of the Year Award winners.
Award announcements and presentations were made when finalists assembled at a ceremony held in conjunction with the partnership’s annual meeting at The Club in Birmingham.
Small business champion and Alabama state Rep. Danny Garrett (R – Trussville), served as the master of ceremonies.
The Small Business of the Year Awards annually recognize Alabama’s outstanding small businesses and the widespread positive impacts they have on their local communities. The awards ceremony came just a few days after Small Business Saturday was held nationwide.
“Small business is essential to our state’s growth and success,” said BCA President and CEO Helena Duncan. “Those recognized today go above and beyond in their local communities, in addition to running exceptional businesses. BCA is thrilled to partner with CCAA to honor the finalists and winners for the 2022 Alabama Small Business of the Year.”
This year, 46 businesses were chosen as finalists for these prestigious awards. Nominations for the 2022 Small Business of the Year Awards were made by local chambers of commerce across the state. Finalists were reviewed by a panel of out-of-state judges in areas including community involvement, chamber participation, business success and overall deservedness. There were four award categories with a respective gold, silver and bronze winner in each category: Emerging Small Business for those in business for less than five years; 1-10 Employees; 11-50 Employees; and 51-100 Employees.
“CCAA is proud to partner with BCA in recognizing the deserving businesses named as finalists for the 2022 Alabama Small Business of the Year,” said CCAA President and CEO Paige Hutto. “Representing the best of the best, each of these small businesses are a part of the backbone of Alabama’s economy and help to keep our state running. They are to be commended for their dedication, perseverance, grit and success.”
In the 1-10 Employees category, Christie Hill State Farm Insurance of Opelika was named the Small Business of the Year.
Since 2019, the all-female team at Christie Hill State Farm has tripled in size. They have also doubled the size of the business — growing from protecting 610 households in 2019 to just under 1,300 households today. In 2021, they had the largest growth of any State Farm office in their territory and are on track to do the same this year.
In addition to opening her own State Farm Insurance bureau in 2019, Christie Hill has been active in the local community through various service projects. Hill is involved with the Beauregard school systems, Opelika City Schools, Opelika Public Library, Girl Boss Program for Girls’ Steps, Opelika Fire Department, Southern Union State Community College and more. She is also a 2017 graduate of Opelika’s Citizens Police Academy. Hill is passionate about giving back and has donated to many local charitable organizations including Pride on the Plains, Opelika High School Theater Program, Opelika Little League, The Curtis House and the Domestic Violence Intervention Center. Hill invests both time and effort into considering the needs of people within the local community and how her company can support them. She offers many pro-bono services, including in-office notary services, Little Free Library of books for adults and children and photos with the Easter Bunny every Easter.
Hill and her team are integral members of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, where she has been a member since 2017. She is a sponsor of the Opelika Chamber’s Educator’s Breakfast and First Responders Breakfast. Hill is also an active participant in the Opelika Chamber’s 20 Under 40 class and the Total Resource Campaign.
Local businesses recognized in the 51-100 Employee Small Business of the Year category were bronze award winners Baumhower’s Victory Grille; HL Mando American Corporation and MAX Credit
Union.