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Patti White, manager of Smoot's Grocery, celebrate the Small Business of the Year award with Mayor Dan Gibson, who presented the honor during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Smoot's Grocery manager Patti White receives hugs of congratulations during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Johhny Hicks and his wife Betty Lou Hick celebrate Hick's Chicks award as Large Business of the Year during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Kevin Wilsom, President of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, congratulates Johnny Hicks after Hick's Chicks was named Large Business of the Year during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Johhny Hick and John Hicks celebrate Hick's Chick award as the Large Business of the Year during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Debbie Hudson smiles after being announced as the Natchezian Woman of the Year during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchezian Woman of the Year Debbie Hudson receives congratulations from her daughter McKaye Darling, who traveled from Alexandria, Vurginia, to see her mother win the award during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Debbie Hudson shows her surprise after she was named the Natchezian Woman of the Year during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Natchezian Man of the Year Johnny Byrne celebrates with his daughter Mary Kate Partridge and his grandaughter Anna Grace, who traveled from Arkansas to see him receive his award during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Johnny Byrne was named Natchezian Man of the Year during the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala Tuesday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — The Miss-Lou business community packed the Natchez Civic Center Tuesday night for the annual Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce Gala, celebrating a successful year in business and the man, woman and businesses who shined brightest.

Debbie Germany and Johnny Byrne were named Natchezians of the Year.

Smoot’s Grocery was honored as small business of the year and J.E. Hicks Distributing was named large business of the year.

Debbie Germany — Natchezian Woman of the Year

Nicole Harris, the Chamber’s Natchezian Woman of the Year in 2023, presented this year’s award to Germany.

“The honor of Natchezian of the year is awarded annually to recognize an outstanding member of our Chamber and our community. They are nominated by the community for their vision, leadership, creativity, good citizenship and their dedication to Natchez,” Harris said. “Our Woman of the Year that is being awarded this evening lives by the motto ‘To make things happen.’ “

Germany was a teacher for 24 years before turning her attention to workforce development and grant writing.

“She worked for the state in Jackson before returning back to Natchez when Pat Biglane reached out to her,” Harris said.

Germany became CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for the next 15 years.

“Being good at putting people in groups together, she formed several new events and resurrected some programs that had been dormant. Her love of education resulted in bringing back the Education Committee that brings representation from all schools and colleges to communicate and share ideas once a month. The Leadership Natchez program had originally started in 1988, but she added to the program and created the Youth Leadership program for juniors in High School. This program helps participants learn about the different aspects of what our community has to offer.

“New programs that she brought during her tenure include the Young Professionals and bringing back the Natchez Bicycle Classic. Events with Young Professionals included monthly social events, a yearly crawfish boil and the Color Run. The Downtown Merchants committee was formed after Covid with the help of John Grady Burns to discuss with the merchants ways to bring more foot traffic into their businesses and continues to meet monthly to this day,” she said.

As a retiree, Germany remains involved in grant writing for the City of Natchez and she volunteered to lead a steering committee to lead the way for a new Adams County jail.

“Debbie is the recipient of the Caring Woman Award and 1994 Teacher of the Year. She has served as a past elder and is a member of First Presbyterian Church where she often shares her talents of playing the flute and singing in the choir, plays tennis weekly with friends and enjoys traveling with her husband, Forrest. They share 7 grandchildren together, and her daughter McKaye came here tonight to share in the celebration,” Harris said.

Johnny Byrne — Natchezian Man of the Year

Ben Hillyer, the Chamber’s 2023 Natchezian of the Year Man, presented this year’s honor to Johnny Byrne.

“Our Natchezian Man of the Year is a fourth-generation Natchez native who is a graduate from Cathedral High School. After graduating from Ole Miss with a degree in Insurance and Risk Management, he returned to be the third-generation of his family with the oldest insurance company in Natchez,” he said.

“When it comes to commitment, our winner this evening is almost as busy as Santa during the year with his countless efforts giving back to the community. In fact, he has been participating in the charitable Natchez Santa Claus Committee every year since 1979 and served as Kris Kringle himself in the year 2000. He was a third generation Santa behind his grandfather and uncle. He has served as Chairman of the committee for 19 years, and the group of men that participants have grown to 300,” Hillyer said. “The Natchez Santa Claus Committee provides support Natchez Children’s Christmas tree fund to continue the tradition since 1903 of bringing gifts to needy children and parade through neighborhoods early on Christmas Eve to spread cheer and holiday fun.”

Hillyer said Byrne Insurance agency was formed in 1928, the same year a small group of businessmen founded the Natchez Santa Committee.

“It is still a prestigious business in Natchez. Johnny is the first person to own 100 percent of Byrne Insurance agency since his grandfather founded the business,” he said.

Byrne also gives back by sponsoring numerous t-ball, soccer, baseball, basketball and football teams for youth as well as community related events. Byrne sponsors the Tree Lighting for Christmas In Natchez, Joe Fortunato Golf Tournament, Natchez Cemetery Association, Natchez Balloon Festival, Natchez Homebuilders Association, Adams County Sheriff Department and the Natchez Police Department.

Professionally, Byrne has served as a board member of Independent Insurance Agents of Mississippi, Board Member of Associated Insurers of Mississippi, President of Southwest Mississippi Agents Association, and Owner and Board member of Magnolia Reinsurance Company of Bermuda.

He has been married to his wife Charlotte for 45 years and is the proud father of Jack and Mary Kate and proud Pop Pop of Anna Grace.

An avid outdoorsman and hunter, Byrne has also served as president of Beau Pre Country Club, Board Member of Cathedral School, and is a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus St Mary’s Basilica.

Hillyer said Byrne’s son, Jack, could not attend Tuesday’s Gala, but sent a message about his father, which read, “What can I say about my dad? First of all, I’m sorry I’m not there to see him receive this recognition, but I’m also happy because I know he will be furious about all of this attention. Most people don’t get the chance to hear about the difference their life has made because, let’s face it, the remarks are being made at their funeral. What a treat to get to sit through the accolades of your life while you’re still alive!

“What I can say is that Johnny Byrne doesn’t want this. He doesn’t want this award. He doesn’t want anyone talking about the things he has done to make Natchez a better place, and he certainly doesn’t want any of this recognition tonight.

“My family has been witness to his selflessness our entire lives. He has always helped behind the scenes seeking no recognition, no thanks, and no fanfare. I know Ben has read you a list of his accomplishments, but what I can tell you is that most of what he has done will never be discussed because that’s how he has always intended it. I’m so proud of him and want everyone to know that I love him and will always beam with pride when others talk about him helping them whether that be what he has done publicly or more importantly what he has done behind closed doors.

“Cheers to you dad. You deserve this! So just suck it up and go accept your award!” Jack Byrne wrote.

Smoot’s Grocery — Small Business of the Year

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson presented the award to Smoot’s Grocery Tuesday night.

“Each year the Chamber is proud to give an award to a small business that is a member of our organization and has demonstrated exceptional ‘presence’ in this community, promoting Natchez internally and externally. This year’s recipient was intended to be a live music venue that offers tourists and locals a place to come and enjoy the regional musicians” Gibson said.

“It was revived from an old abandoned building that was built in 1939, in 2015, and the current owners took ownership in 2020. It is a music venue that features live music Thursday-Saturday nights and is open for Sunday Funday with music and football along with one of the manager’s famous food items. But it is so much more and has become one of the most ‘giving’ businesses for all occasions,” Gibson said. “Actually, it is so giving that doors will open to help out causes on almost any day or night of the week.”

Locals participate in fundraisers of all types, from private fundraisers helping out a family in need or with medical expenses for a loved one to larger charitable events, and always supporting festivals in our Downtown area, he said, presenting an exhaustive list of people and organizations Smoot’s has held fundraisers for.

“Our furry friends at the Humane Society have several benefits each year. Pooch-a-Palooza is a large yearly fundraiser that even has pets available for adoptions, casseroles for a cause, Chili for Charity, Celebrity Bartender night and several occasions where entrance into an event is a bag of dog or cat food.

“The Young Professionals Natchez Bicycle Classic Packet Pick Up Party, Green Ribbon Run and Y’all Means All Sponsor Party for Mental Health Awareness , Krewe of Bon Temps Halloween party benefitting the Adams County Nursing Home, Duck’s Unlimited preserving Wetlands, Real Men Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, Kolbi benefit for St. Jude, and Miss-Lou BBQ to raise money for Vidalia and Natchez High School Bands have all taken place in the last year,” he said

Sponsorships for Festivals include the Bluff City Block Party/Ball Drop, Natchez Spring Carnival, Powwow, Blues and Soul Super Bowl, Hank Williams, 4th of July with Robert Earl Keen and Alabama, MDP Fitness Open Championship, Natchez Festival of Music, Natchez Food and Wine Festival, Church Hill Variety Fest, and the Concours d Elegance Car Show.

“They are also involved in the Downtown Natchez Alliance Pumpkin Patch and Battle of

the Businesses, host for the Nashville Songwriter Round Show and Natchez Songwriter Sessions. Quarterly Pop Up events include Open Mic Night, Paint ‘N Sip, Cookie Classes with Molly, Gringo Tacos and the Balloon Festival appearance of Moondog Makers and Brewers from Corinth, Mississippi.

“Voted best Nightlife by The Natchez Democrat Reader’s Choice Award, thank you to the Paradise family for your investment in Natchez. Now, let’s all stand and thank Patti White and her crew for being the Small Business of the Year, Smoot’s Grocery Blues Lounge.”

J.E. Hicks Distributing — Large Business of the Year

Kevin Wilson, president of the Adams County Board of Supervisors, presented the Chamber’s large business of the year award.

“Just like our Man of the Year, our Large Business of the Year is a multi-generational business that has been in Natchez since 1945. They are also very community oriented and are a huge supporter of the Natchez Stewpot and Empty Bowls Project, Historic Natchez Foundation, Cathedral School, Cathedral C Club, St Mary’s Basilica and Catholic Youth Organization, and First Baptist Church. They are a proud sponsor of Miss-Lou Champion Spotlight, Wardo’s Rouxdolph Run, and The Natchez Balloon Festival. They generously donate to fundraisers, organizations and various charities in the Miss-Lou area year-round,” Wilson said.

“In 1945, the founder found himself unemployed with a family to support so he decided that the idea of peddling meat products was appealing and landed a contract with the Delta Packing Company in Clarksdale. The merchandise arrived weekly via Express Railway and was stored in a cold storage rental. Starting with bologna, salami, hams, bacon and sausage, the products were sold to grocery stores in Natchez and surrounding country stores.

“This led into building their own facility to process and store products along with small trucks to transport them. Salesmen were hired, including his brothers Carl and Harold, plant hands, butchers and drivers.

“In 1951, chickens were added to the cattle and hogs, and Hicks Chiks was born. The “C” in Chicks was left out as a marketing ploy to have 5 letters in each word,” he said.

Wilson said in 1966, Johnny Hicks joined the family business and introduced the idea of buying a larger truck and picking up products sold directly from the packing plants.

“This created a larger service area and increased the number of customers. Johnny succeeded his father, John Edward Hicks, as president of the company in 1990 and branched into the food service business, selling both wholesale and retail. They expanded more canned fruits, vegetables and dry staple goods along with boxed meats, fish and poultry. Adding a full line of paper and plastic products has made them a one-stop shop for smaller private grocery stores, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants, hotels and jails.

“The third generation in the family business, John E Hicks, III became its 3rd president in 2016. John focused on creating a full-service retail company and enlarging its wholesale customer base. In 2014, a new showroom was created and allows walk-in customers to come in and buy in individual quantities to make meals at home for their families as well as larger items for holidays,” he said.

J.E. Hicks distributing company currently employs more than 20 people in all areas of sales, daily operations and distribution.

“The team at JE Hicks is dedicated to customer satisfaction and being a part of the community in which they live and work. They believe in treating people like family, not numbers. Let us all stand and put our hands together to celebrate and thank JE Hicks Distributing Company Inc. for being ‘Way More Than Just Chicken,’ “ Wilson said.

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