Dwight Richardson, Affiliate Broker with Bender Realty and owner/designer of Fenimore’s Floral Design Studio, has been selected as the recipient o
Dwight Richardson, Affiliate Broker with Bender Realty and owner/designer of Fenimore’s Floral Design Studio, has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Robert W. Varnell Jr. Leadership Award.
Richardson has spent many years impacting the growth of the community in a variety of ways. None more so than the arts community. He has been an active member of the Allied Arts Council of the Chamber of Commerce for several years and is a charter member of Art Is Here Partnership. His passion for arts and the uniqueness of the history of this community has allowed him to partner with and help grow awareness for the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points and Chair-ries Jubilee which brings in thousands of dollars for local arts in education. His keen sense of decor has also made him a “go-to” figure in the decorating community, specifically for weddings and anniversary celebrations.
Dwight’s passion for community is what drives him to remain involved. In addition to his other art-driven endeavors, he has also served with civic groups and organizations that bring life to this community. He has served as the President of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, is an active member of MainStreet Cleveland, and a longtime member of the Church of God of Prophecy denomination. His proven track record of being a servant to this community is why his name comes up as nominee. One nominator said, “Dwight has spent a lifetime cultivating the character and qualities which have made his leadership within his family, church, profession, and community both meaningful and impactful. Most notably, he has embodied the teaching of Jesus, who said, “The greatest among you must be a servant.””
Presented in memory of the late Robert W. Varnell Jr., the award recognizes a person demonstrating excellence in leadership and profession, commitment to community, religion, high morals and ethical standards.
Richardson and his wife, Londa, attend Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy. They have two children; Jeremy (wife Amy) and Tyler (wife Kennedy). They also have three grandchildren; Ariah, Shalom, and Noa.
Dwight will be acknowledged as the award recipient at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce’s 97 th Annual Meeting. The event will be held at Westmore Church of God on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets and corporate tables can be purchased online at clevelandchamber.com.
The 2023 M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award, one of the highest awards given by the Chamber, is presented to Roger Pickett, of MurMaid Mattress. Pickett is the owner and operator of MurMaid Mattress, a local family-owned and operated mattress retail chain that offers national brand mattresses, as well as their own brand made locally and sold directly to the consumer.
The M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award honors the memory of one of the most outstanding businessmen Cleveland and Bradley County has ever produced, M.C. Headrick. Headrick was a man who believed wholeheartedly in the fundamental concepts of the Free Enterprise System. Honorees receiving this award must display success, high morals, growth of business, and contributions to community-oriented projects.
MurMaid Mattress was founded in 1979 by Elmer and Joy Murray, Roger’s parents. Pickett has expanded the company to 11 locations that serve this region. His passion for community has kept the family brand at the forefront of impact in the community. MurMaid contributes to a variety of organizations that focus on the needs within the community, such as Special Spaces, City Fields, Junior Achievement, and many others.
Pickett is a graduate of Cleveland High School, a recipient of many awards including the Chamber’s Mel Bedwell Small Business Person of the Year, and has served the Cleveland and Bradley County community in a variety of roles. Such roles include BBB of Cleveland Advisory Council, Cleveland Associated Industries Executive Committee, Board VP for Karis Community Health, Southern Heritage Bank Advisory Board Member, and Advisory Member for United Way Center for
Social Impact. He is a member of First Baptist Cleveland where he has served in numerous capacities. He is also a 2017 CHS Alumni Hall of Fame inductee.
Roger will be acknowledged as the award recipient at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce’s 97th Annual Meeting. The event will be held at Westmore Church of God on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets and corporate tables can be purchased online at clevelandchamber.com.
