Crotts named Chamber's Small Business Person of the Year

By CHRIS TRAINOR/Index-Journal staff writer
Friday, April 25, 2008 5:09 PM EDT

The Calhoun Mays Reception Hall at the Federal Building was filled to the brim with businesspeople Friday afternoon, each representing a different niche, market or facility.

However, one person was able to stand above all the others.

David Crotts, of David Crotts and Associates, was named the Greenwood Chamber’s 2008 Small Business Person of the Year during the Chamber’s Salute to Small Business Luncheon.

Crotts’ honor came before a packed house of fellow entrepreneurs, Chamber representatives and elected officials, including longtime state Sen. John Drummond.

The Chamber also recognized six other businesspeople Friday, all of whom were nominated for awards at the recent Small Business Administration banquet in Columbia. Among them were Ruple Harley Jr,. of Harley Funeral Home, who won the Jerry Butland Family Owned Business of the Year; Claire Kuhl, of V&R Consulting, who won Home-Based Business Champion of the Year; and Sam Leaman III, of the Upper Savannah Council of Governments, who was recognized as Financial Services Champion of the Year.

Also recognized Friday were Patrick Moore, of local Web site Greenwoodtoday dot com, who was nominated for Small Business Journalist of the Year; Patsy Taylor, of Designed by Nature Inc., who was nominated for Women in Business Champion of the Year; and Linda Dolny, of PML Associates, who was nominated for S.C. Small Business Person of the Year.

Chamber Board President Rudy Powell discussed Crotts and why he was given this year’s top honor.

"David Crotts, our Small Business Person for 2008, has demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities and is a perfect example of an entrepreneur who has not only built a successful business, but is also dedicated to improving the Greenwood community," Powell said.

Crotts has been in business since 1979, when he operated his own insurance business out of his parents’ home in Harris Mill Village.

He bought a house at 309 Hampton Ave. that served as his office and residence. From there he traveled the state growing the insurance side of his company.

As his customer base increased, Crotts added personnel to keep up with the increased demands, including sales agents and office staff to maintain regular business hours.

Because of his interest in real estate, Crotts established and became co-owner of two real estate companies focused on new home construction and property rentals. All of these areas were incorporated under the umbrella of David A. Crotts and Associates Inc.

The next business move was literal � Crotts acquired the building at 422 Montague Ave., where his business is currently located.

A property and casualty department was added, along with individual and group offices, marketing, investment and IT.

Crotts' one-man insurance company has grown to include 19 in-house employees, a satellite marketing representative in Columbia and about 148 outside agents.

Vickie Hastings, chairwoman of the Chamber’s Small Business Committee, also sang Crotts’ praises.

"According to his nominators, Mr. Crotts is also a very active benefactor for causes and businesses in Greenwood," Hastings said. "He is an active supporter of Greenwood Christian School who never turns down the opportunity to help when approached."

After receiving his trophy and a thunderous standing ovation Friday, Crotts said he was taken by surprise when his name was called.

“This is a shock to me, but I knew something was up when my daughter and everybody else showed up,” Crotts said, garnering hearty laughter. “I really couldn’t do it without (his staff). The staff we’ve got is amazing. You can’t do it by yourself, and when you’ve got a business, you need a good group of people.”

Friday’s event also featured remarks from Elliot Cooper, South Carolina district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Cooper has served in that position since 1991. He also has a background as a senior administrator in banking.

“I commend this Chamber for your active support of small businesses,” Cooper said Friday. “Over 50 percent of all employees work for small business.”

In other news, the Chamber announced it would host an S.C. Senate District 10 forum May 29 at the Greenwood Community Theatre. The event will see all District 10 candidates voice their positions on various issues.



Article courtesy of the Index Journal. Article and photo by Chris Trainor.