Hillsboro’s Best Honored at the Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards Night on 3.19.26
HILLSBORO, TEXAS — March 19, 2026 — The Hillsboro Texas Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed more than 340 attendees on Thursday evening, March 19, for its 2026 Dinner and Awards Night, an annual event recognizing excellence in business, agriculture, leadership, and community service across Hillsboro and the surrounding region.
The evening brought together an exceptional cross-section of the community, including city, county, and state government leaders, and local and regional businesses, nonprofits, churches, and citizens. With many of Hillsboro’s major community and business leaders in attendance, the event served as both a celebration of progress and a reflection of the partnerships helping shape the city’s future.
The program featured opening remarks and updates from local leadership, featuring:
Presenting Sponsor Welcome from Frontier Support Logistics‘ President, Rick Cook
and updates from:
Hillsboro City Manager, Megan Henderson
Hillsboro Economic Development Director, Jessica Trew
Hill County Judge, Shane Brassell
State Representative District 13 Angelia Orr’s representative, Emma Orr
Ross Perot Jr, Chairman of the US Chamber of Commerce, Hillwood, and The Perot Group
Awards were then presented to recipients in each of the following categories:
Citizen of the Year — Tony Marley
Tony Marley, also an employee of Citizens National Bank of Hillsboro, was recognized for his outstanding service, leadership, and long-standing dedication to the Hillsboro community.
Local Business of the Year — Afresh Salon
Afresh Salon was honored for its strong local presence, commitment to excellence, and positive contributions to the vitality of Hillsboro Main Street.
Regional Business of the Year — LP Physical Therapy
LP Physical Therapy was recognized for its rapid and continued growth since it’s founding in 2019, and it’s regional expansion to six locations, and commitment to providing quality health care across the area.
Farm Family of the Year — CR Farms; Chris and Carrie Rogers
CR Farms was honored for its dedication to agriculture, family values, and its continued contribution to the region’s rural heritage and economy.
Hillsboro Chamber Hall of Fame Inductee — James Maass
The Chamber’s most significant legacy award – this honor recognizes enduring contributions and a lasting influence on the community through leadership, service, and commitment over time.
The evening concluded with recognition of Hill College’s Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Medal annoucement as the 2026 recipient of the highest honor for museums in the U.S. and also placed a spotlight on those in the crowd that have served on boards, committees and volunteer efforts in Hillsboro.
The Hillsboro Texas Area Chamber of Commerce extends its appreciation to all attendees, sponsors, leaders, and award recipients who helped make the evening a success and who continue to invest in the strength and future of the community.
To request high resolution photos of the event, please contact the Hillsboro Texas Area Chamber of Commerce at 254-582-2481 or by emailing memberservices@hillsborochamber.org.
Presenting Sponsor
Fontier Support Logistics
Legacy Circle Sponsors
Bobcat Contracting Glaser Retail Partners Hill Regional Hospital
Foundation Sponsors
Citizens National Bank of Hillsboro First Central Credit Union Hill College
Hill County Insurance Julie Siddons Realtors Pattillo Brown and Hill LLP CPAs
MRB Group, Engineering, Architecture, and Municipal Planning Wells
In Attendance
Skeeter Emergency Vehicles Afresh Salon Judge Justin Lewis 66th District Court
AgTrust Farm Credit CASA of Hill County AgTexas Farm Credit City of Hillsboro
The First National Bank of Central Texas Hill County Title Johns Manville
Heart of Texas Council of Governments Hillsboro Dept of Public Safety
LP Physical Therapy Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors Hillsboro Ford
Southern Thermal Systems CTWP – Your Copier Company Sheri Hemrick Photography
Hill County Sheriff’s Office Hill County Judge Shane Brassell Waco Family Medicine
Angelia Orr State Representative District 13 Whitney Nursing and Rehab
Kaddatz Auctioneering and Farm Equipment Sales Church on the Hill Oncor
Trail to the Cross Cowboy Church Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Bearded Wheat Distillery
North Texas Airstream Community Overflow Coffee The Place at Lake Whitney
Cornerstone Funeral Home Emissary Blooms Flower Shop Reporter Newspaper and KHBR
Emissary Nursery and Landscape Clayton Homes Kiss Me Again Vintage Market
Bloom Health and Wellness Sonic Hillsboro Hillsboro Main Street
Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation
Art and Susan Mann David and Roberta Skelton Tom and Sheri Hemrick
Broderick Pride – Pride Ranch Tim and Kim Burgess Pamela Bowman
Jeff and Deanna Vaughn Greg and Ruth Ann Walker Tony Marley Family
James Maass Family Levi Cottongame Eugene and Paulette Fulton
Chris and Carrie Rogers and Family – CR Farms Jessica Lea and Sean Saucier
