A Villages store owner has been named Business Woman of the Year in Sumter County.
Bonita Worrell who operates the Ace Hardware at Southern Trace shopping plaza will receive the honor Jan. 30 at the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet at Savannah Center.
She and her husband Neil also operate an Ace Hardware store in Wildwood and plan to break ground soon on a third store in Belleview.
Her husband’s grandfather started the original hardware store in Wildwood in the 1940s. Neil Worrell started in the hardware business in 1986 and his wife followed him into the business in 1989.
They opened their Villages hardware store in 2004.
Today, their three children lend a hand in the business.
“Family and community play a large role in Bonita’s success. She volunteers at the local charter high school and her children work alongside her in the business, even stepping up to take leadership roles,” the chamber said in announcing the honor.
Bill Keen will be honored as Sumter County’s Business Man of the Year. Bill is the owner of SalesCorp USA located in Wildwood. SalesCorp has undergone massive expansion since opening in 1999 as a local industrial supply store.
“Today Salescorp still offers industrial supplies, but they now work in manufacturing and fabrication with DOT certifications across many states. Bill’s commitment to growth and economic prosperity in Sumter County are evidenced by his work on boards such as the Industrial Development Council and as the incoming secretary of the board of directors for the chamber,” the chamber said in its announcement.
This year’s event marks the 92nd year of the annual event where the chamber honors local leaders and outstanding businesses and installs their 2015 Directors and Officers. Winners were chosen from nominations received from business and community members across the county.
