The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce honored former state Sen. G.B. "Jake" Pollard with the Lifetime Achievement Award during a Tuesday banquet.
Speaking at the award presentation to Pollard was his nephew and last year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Pierce Blanchard.
"I've always looked up to him and I always will," Blanchard said. "I've always been proud of him and I always will."
Presenting the award to Pollard was Columbia County Commission Chairman Ron Cross.
"When I was considering running for office at the age of 60, I went to Jake to get his advice," Cross said. "He told me, 'If you're going to serve then serve for the right reasons; serve the people. Don't do it for yourself.' "
Pollard was elected to the state Senate in 1989 and served in that role for about six years. Previously, he was Columbia County's clerk of Superior Court for 28 years.
A U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War, Pollard is a graduate of Hurst Business College and earned a law degree from Augusta Law School.
"This truly is just a special treat," Pollard said during his acceptance speech. "I wish to thank you all very much."
Also during the banquet held at the DoubleTree Hotel, Computer Masters of Augusta was recognized as the Small Business of the Year and Advanced Technology Group won Business of the Year.
Other winners at the awards banquet were Angela Brock of The Cleveland Group as Volunteer of the Year; Charles Bennett of Queensborough National Bank and Trust as Ambassador of the Year; and Jonathan Wint of Tarpon Capital Management as Diplomat of the Year.
Ambassadors and diplomats mentor chamber members.
Raina Cousino of Cracker Barrel won the James O. McCormick Sr. Award, which honors those working in the hospitality industry.
Also at the banquet, board chairmanship of the chamber passed from previous chairman John T.Y. Smith to Yvonne Meeks of SRP Federal Credit Union.
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