Each year the chamber’s member businesses and Executives meet to recognize the service of the chamber’s outgoing members of the board of directors and select their successors and to present the annual citizen, small business, large business, and non-profit of the year awards, and to announce the winners of the Downtown Dining Experience’s annual participant surveys. This year’s meeting saw Debbie Leggett named Citizen of the Year, Gordon Brothers Water named Small Business of the Year, Hickey Metal Fabrication named Large Business of the Year, and The ROC of Salem named Non-Profit Organization of the Year.

Debbie Leggett is a Salem native and 1975 Salem High School alum and describes the city as “the heart of [her] entire life.” Leggett is the founder of the Salem Ohio Military Flag Program, and a Past President and Board Member of Salem Kiwanis as well as an active member of the Chamber and a Board Member of the Chamber Foundation. Leggett said that her civic engagement was “an extension of the gratitude” she feels towards her beloved hometown, and that “it has been a true privilege to serve alongside incredibly dedicated individuals who share the same passion and vision for keeping Salem strong, vibrant, and welcoming.”

“Receiving this recognition is truly humbling. It touches my heart in a way that is hard to express. I don’t do what I do for acknowledgment–I do it because I genuinely love this place. But being honored by the very community that has given me so much means more than words can say. It is a reminder of how blessed I am to have deep roots in Salem and how grateful I am for every opportunity to contribute,” said Leggett.

She also said that knowing her effort is helping to shape the community’s bright future was a special privilege for which she is always grateful.

Debbie Leggett was named the Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Citizen of the Year. Shown from left are Drew, Evelyn (two months), Shannon, Clara (6), Debbie, Grant (6), and Keith Leggett. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

“There is something incredibly fulfilling about knowing that the work we do today helps shape the Salem of tomorrow–a place where families can build their futures, where local businesses can thrive, and where community remains at the heart of everything we do,” said Leggett.

Gordon Brothers Water has been a trusted source of residential and commercial water treatment solutions for more than 80 years since it was founded by Llloyd Gordon in 1945. Four generations later Gordon Bros remains locally owned and operated and is currently led by Carolyn, Ned, Scott, and Mallory Jones, with more than 5,000 members in their water club. Owner Scott Jones said that he was “truly honored” that Gordon Bros had been named Small Business of the Year and that Salem’s residents and businesses have trusted Gordon Bros with their water for the last 80 years. Jones also said that the award truly belonged to Gordon Bros “incredible team” whom he said has done the daily work of ensuring the highest possible standards of quality and service and earning that trust.

Hickey Metal Fabrication was founded in 1942 as a furnace and slate roofing business by Leo R. Hickey, the grandfather of current company president Leo Hickey. In 1953 Robert Hickey returned home from the Korean War and took over the company, expanding the company’s roofing services to everything from shingles to hot roofing, continuing to grow each year and expand its offerings. In 1974 as the company took on evermore commercial work, the demand for fabrication of items like gutters, downspouts and flashings only grew, with the company phasing out nearly all roofing work in the early 1990s. During that time the company moved into the Salem industrial park where seven of its eight Salem region plants operate today.

Since then, Hickey Metal Fabrication has expanded as necessary to meet the needs of its clients, an ethos which has guided their meteoric growth. Today Hickey Metal Fabrication employes more than 200 people in 450,000 square feet of workspace across eight buildings in Salem, and recently purchased Ohio Laser in Columbus, increasing its total workforce to approximately 285 employees. Leo Hickey said that the company “has come a long way” since those early days, and thanked every member of the company’s management team, and those in attendance for nominating Hickey Metal Fabrication for Large Business of the Year.

The ROC of Salem was founded in May of 2009 and has been offering interdenominational Christian Youth Ministry for at risk children aged ten through seventeen since December 2009. The ROC provides those children with a safe space to be with friends, participate in group activities, receive a free meal, and be encouraged through worship three nights a week. Director JW Linam said that he was honored to accept the award, and that while Salem is and always will be his home, that like any home there are parts of it which get neglected.

Steve Faber offers the invocation. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Linam said that the Roc tries to help with those areas, and the underserved kids living there by giving them safety, community, and hope. Linam shared the story of a child who the ROC served that told him they had planned to commit suicide but remembered the lessons and kindness they’d received and decided not to go through with it. He also said that the ROC prepares them for the next phase of their lives by teaching them responsibility, accountability, and community service, and to support each other and their community.

Chamber of Commerce President Shelley Bergman recognized the outgoing members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and offered the introduction for 2025 Non-Profit of the Year Award recipient the Roc of Salem. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Prior to electing new members to its Board of Directors, each year the chamber recognizes and thanks its outgoing board members. Shown from left are Shelby Fender, Chamber Vice President Dave Russell, and Chamber President Shelley Bergman. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Prior to electing new members to its Board of Directors, each year the chamber recognizes and thanks its outgoing board members. Shown from left are Chamber Vice President Dave Russell, Chamber President Shelley Bergman, and Lesley Kline. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Prior to electing new members to its Board of Directors, each year the chamber recognizes and thanks its outgoing board members. Shown from left are Chamber Vice President Dave Russell, Sharon Schneider, and Chamber President Shelley Bergman. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Prior to electing new members to its Board of Directors, each year the chamber recognizes and thanks its outgoing board members. Shown from left are Chamber Vice President Dave Russell, Dr. Mike Sevilla, and Chamber President Shelley Bergman. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Prior to electing new members to its Board of Directors, each year the chamber recognizes and thanks its outgoing board members. Shown from left are Chamber Vice President Dave Russell, Shelly Weekley, and Chamber President Shelley Bergman. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Geroge W. S. Hays discusses the foundation’s 2025 fundraising and programming. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Downtown Dining Experience Chairman Janet Keene announces the winners of the 2025 Downtown Dining Experience awards. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Salty Mama’s Snacking Boards Co-Owner Calvin Marshall, left, accepts the 2025 Downtown Dining Experience Best Sweet Award from Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Geroge W. S. Hays, right. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Ricky’s English Pub Owner Ricky Metts, right, accepts the 2025 Downtown Dining Experience Best Savory Award from Chamber of Commerce Foundation President Geroge W. S. Hays, left. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Gordon Brothers Water Owner Scott Jones accepts the Small Business of the Year award. Shown from left are Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Alicia Johnston, Jones, and Chamber Second Vice President Eric Ehrenberg. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Roc of Salem Director JW Linam, left, accepts the Non-Profit of the Year award from Shelley Bergman. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Hickey Metal Fabrication was named the 2025 Large Business of the Year. Shown from left are Shelley Bergman, Adam Hickey, Ben Peters, Leo Hickey, Suzanne P. Hickey, Nicholas Peters, and Dave Russell. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Gordon Brothers Water was named the 2025 Small Business of the Year. Shown from left are Mallory, Scott, Carolyn, and Ned Jones. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

The Roc of Salem was named the 2025 Non-Profit of the year. Shown from left are Nicole and JW Linam. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)