2025 Award
Recipients
Meet the incredible business and community leaders who are: Championing Community. Inspiring Progress. Leading the RenAIssance.
Thomas T. Baldrige Catalyst Award
Sponsored by McNees
The Thomas T. Baldrige Catalyst Award honors a visionary individual, business, or community member in Lancaster County who actively enhances our region’s economic vitality, quality of place, and overall community well-being. Named after a transformational local leader, this award recognizes those who go beyond personal or professional success to drive meaningful impact.
Precision
Cobotics
Rooted in a legacy of manufacturing innovation dating back to 1865, Precision Cobotics emerged in the late 2010s from internal efforts to improve automation, throughput, and quality. By leveraging partnerships with Millersville University engineering interns and leading-edge AI and robotics, Precision Cobotics officially launched as an independent company in 2022, based in Lititz, PA.
As a Lean Integrator, Precision Cobotics focuses on delivering practical, application-driven automation solutions. Its “buy not build” philosophy emphasizes proven technologies to reduce risk and accelerate implementation. A low-overhead structure and cross-functional team allow the company to deliver faster returns on investment while addressing real-world manufacturing challenges across the region.
What sets Precision Cobotics apart is its deep commitment to workforce development. The company recognizes that the future of automation is rooted as much in people as in technology. In 2024 alone, through its Robotic WorX program with Millersville University, Precision Cobotics engaged over 1,450 students, educators, and community members through internships, lab tours, presentations, and immersive learning experiences. Nearly half of participants identified as underrepresented in STEM, underscoring the company’s focus on access and equity.
Robotic WorX is evolving into a registered apprenticeship program in partnership with Lancaster STEM and the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board. Students work directly in the Precision Cobotics Solutions Lab at Millersville, solving real-world problems in team-based, hands-on settings.
This year, the company also launched Robotic WorX ToGo!, a pilot program placing industrial robots and AI-enabled vision systems directly into high school classrooms. With a regional rotation planned for all 20 Lancaster high schools, and new partnerships like Thaddeus Stevens College joining this fall, the initiative is expanding its impact.
Precision Cobotics combines smart automation with values-driven leadership—building both advanced manufacturing capacity and the workforce of tomorrow.
Sponsored by McNees
The Thomas T. Baldrige Catalyst Award honors a visionary individual, business, or community member in Lancaster County who actively enhances our region’s economic vitality, quality of place, and overall community well-being. Named after a transformational local leader, this award recognizes those who go beyond personal or professional success to drive meaningful impact.
Precision
Cobotics
Rooted in a legacy of manufacturing innovation dating back to 1865, Precision Cobotics emerged in the late 2010s from internal efforts to improve automation, throughput, and quality. By leveraging partnerships with Millersville University engineering interns and leading-edge AI and robotics, Precision Cobotics officially launched as an independent company in 2022, based in Lititz, PA.
As a Lean Integrator, Precision Cobotics focuses on delivering practical, application-driven automation solutions. Its “buy not build” philosophy emphasizes proven technologies to reduce risk and accelerate implementation. A low-overhead structure and cross-functional team allow the company to deliver faster returns on investment while addressing real-world manufacturing challenges across the region.
What sets Precision Cobotics apart is its deep commitment to workforce development. The company recognizes that the future of automation is rooted as much in people as in technology. In 2024 alone, through its Robotic WorX program with Millersville University, Precision Cobotics engaged over 1,450 students, educators, and community members through internships, lab tours, presentations, and immersive learning experiences. Nearly half of participants identified as underrepresented in STEM, underscoring the company’s focus on access and equity.
Robotic WorX is evolving into a registered apprenticeship program in partnership with Lancaster STEM and the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board. Students work directly in the Precision Cobotics Solutions Lab at Millersville, solving real-world problems in team-based, hands-on settings.
This year, the company also launched Robotic WorX ToGo!, a pilot program placing industrial robots and AI-enabled vision systems directly into high school classrooms. With a regional rotation planned for all 20 Lancaster high schools, and new partnerships like Thaddeus Stevens College joining this fall, the initiative is expanding its impact.
Precision Cobotics combines smart automation with values-driven leadership—building both advanced manufacturing capacity and the workforce of tomorrow.
Small Businessperson of the Year Award
Sponsored by Brubaker Connaughton Goss & Lucarelli, LLC
The Small Businessperson of the Year Award honors a small business leader whose contributions extend far beyond business success. This award recognizes an individual whose vision, innovation, and leadership drive not only the growth of their company but also strengthen the economic and social fabric of Lancaster County.
Joe
Ferderbar &
Brock Snider
Founders of Oola Bowls
Founded in 2018, Oola Bowls is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based superfood café specializing in açaí and pitaya bowls, smoothies, coffee, and healthy snacks. What began as a single food truck has grown into a multi-location business with new stores opening across Central Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Florida and beyond!
Oola Bowls was created by local entrepreneurs Joe Ferderbar and Brock Snider, who met at a Lancaster Chamber networking event and shared a vision to bring flavorful, health-conscious food to their community. Joe, with an MBA and background in signage, and Brock, formerly in commercial insurance, combined their entrepreneurial drive and community-minded values to launch the brand. One of their unique touches is “Grandma’s Granola,” a homemade recipe passed down in Brock’s family, which quickly became a signature topping.
From its first market stand to locations inside Hersheypark, Lancaster Central Market, and a café with a drive-thru in Manheim Township, Oola Bowls has continued to grow. The team adapted during the pandemic with online ordering and delivery, and in 2022 began franchising, with new stores opening in Intercourse, Lebanon, and Camp Hill.
Oola Bowls remains rooted in its original mission: to offer fresh, fast, and customizable superfood options that nourish both body and community. With a focus on quality and creativity, the brand is building a regional presence that celebrates health, local flavor, a growing team, and a spirit of entrepreneurship.
Sponsored by Brubaker Connaughton Goss & Lucarelli, LLC
The Small Businessperson of the Year Award honors a small business leader whose contributions extend far beyond business success. This award recognizes an individual whose vision, innovation, and leadership drive not only the growth of their company but also strengthen the economic and social fabric of Lancaster County.
Joe
Ferderbar &
Brock Snider
Founders of Oola Bowls
Founded in 2018, Oola Bowls is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based superfood café specializing in açaí and pitaya bowls, smoothies, coffee, and healthy snacks. What began as a single food truck has grown into a multi-location business with new stores opening across Central Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Florida and beyond!
Oola Bowls was created by local entrepreneurs Joe Ferderbar and Brock Snider, who met at a Lancaster Chamber networking event and shared a vision to bring flavorful, health-conscious food to their community. Joe, with an MBA and background in signage, and Brock, formerly in commercial insurance, combined their entrepreneurial drive and community-minded values to launch the brand. One of their unique touches is “Grandma’s Granola,” a homemade recipe passed down in Brock’s family, which quickly became a signature topping.
From its first market stand to locations inside Hersheypark, Lancaster Central Market, and a café with a drive-thru in Manheim Township, Oola Bowls has continued to grow. The team adapted during the pandemic with online ordering and delivery, and in 2022 began franchising, with new stores opening in Intercourse, Lebanon, and Camp Hill.
Oola Bowls remains rooted in its original mission: to offer fresh, fast, and customizable superfood options that nourish both body and community. With a focus on quality and creativity, the brand is building a regional presence that celebrates health, local flavor, a growing team, and a spirit of entrepreneurship.
Athena Award
Sponsored by Benchmark
The ATHENA® Award celebrates the potential of all women as valued leaders and recognizes those who champion their success. This prestigious award honors individuals who exemplify professional excellence, dedicate their time and energy to strengthening the community, and actively support others—particularly women—in reaching their full leadership potential.
Willonda
McCloud
President & CEO, Bright Side Opportunities Center
Willonda McCloud is a visionary nonprofit leader, dedicated community advocate, and steadfast champion for equity and opportunity. As President & CEO of Bright Side Opportunities Center, she has led transformative efforts that uplift families, empower youth, and drive sustainable change in underserved communities.Under her leadership, Bright Side has significantly expanded its impact through initiatives like SisMantle Tech, a paid summer coding program for high school girls and STEM Leadership Academies, which engage over 100 middle school students. She has secured more than $1 million in grant funding for capital improvements and programming, including major facility accessibility upgrades. Willonda’s civic leadership spans both local and state levels, reflecting her deep commitment to education, equity, and community well-being.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Science from Cheyney University and is currently a scholar in the RULE Program at Penn State Extension. A 2009 graduate of Leadership Lancaster, Willonda was also named a 2019 Baldwin Fellow by the Lancaster County Community Foundation and a 2018 STEM Fellow with the National STEM Ecosystem. Her leadership has been recognized with the Servant Heart Award from Lancaster Habitat for Humanity (2013) and as a 2021 YWCA Women of Achievement honoree.
Willonda’s civic leadership spans both local and state levels, reflecting her deep commitment to education, equity, and community well-being. Her involvement includes work with organizations such as the United Way of Lancaster County, Lancaster County STEM Alliance, Landis Homes Community Based Services, and the City of Lancaster’s Land Trust Board and Redevelopment Authority. She has contributed her expertise to initiatives like the Teenage Girl Empowerment Summit, Franklin & Marshall College’s Advisory Working Group, and the PA State STEM Ecosystem. She has also held past leadership roles with Leadership Lancaster and the Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity Advisory Council.
Sponsored by Benchmark
The ATHENA® Award celebrates the potential of all women as valued leaders and recognizes those who champion their success. This prestigious award honors individuals who exemplify professional excellence, dedicate their time and energy to strengthening the community, and actively support others—particularly women—in reaching their full leadership potential.
Willonda
McCloud
President & CEO, Bright Side Opportunities Center
Willonda McCloud is a visionary nonprofit leader, dedicated community advocate, and steadfast champion for equity and opportunity. As President & CEO of Bright Side Opportunities Center, she has led transformative efforts that uplift families, empower youth, and drive sustainable change in underserved communities.Under her leadership, Bright Side has significantly expanded its impact through initiatives like SisMantle Tech, a paid summer coding program for high school girls and STEM Leadership Academies, which engage over 100 middle school students. She has secured more than $1 million in grant funding for capital improvements and programming, including major facility accessibility upgrades. Willonda’s civic leadership spans both local and state levels, reflecting her deep commitment to education, equity, and community well-being.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Science from Cheyney University and is currently a scholar in the RULE Program at Penn State Extension. A 2009 graduate of Leadership Lancaster, Willonda was also named a 2019 Baldwin Fellow by the Lancaster County Community Foundation and a 2018 STEM Fellow with the National STEM Ecosystem. Her leadership has been recognized with the Servant Heart Award from Lancaster Habitat for Humanity (2013) and as a 2021 YWCA Women of Achievement honoree.
Willonda’s civic leadership spans both local and state levels, reflecting her deep commitment to education, equity, and community well-being. Her involvement includes work with organizations such as the United Way of Lancaster County, Lancaster County STEM Alliance, Landis Homes Community Based Services, and the City of Lancaster’s Land Trust Board and Redevelopment Authority. She has contributed her expertise to initiatives like the Teenage Girl Empowerment Summit, Franklin & Marshall College’s Advisory Working Group, and the PA State STEM Ecosystem. She has also held past leadership roles with Leadership Lancaster and the Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity Advisory Council.
Exemplar Award
Sponsored by Brown Plus
The Exemplar Award is one of the Lancaster Chamber’s highest honors, celebrating a leader whose lasting impact has shaped our business community, their respective industry, and Lancaster County. This award recognizes a visionary whose lasting dedication, bold leadership, and transformative contributions leave a legacy that inspires and drives Lancaster County’s continued growth and success.
Troy Clair &
Adam Davis
Clair Global | Tait Towers
At the heart of Rock Lititz—a world-renowned production campus for live entertainment—stand two visionary leaders: Troy Clair and Adam Davis. As Rock Lititz co-founders, their goal was to create a collaborative, purpose-built environment where the best in the business could come together to innovate, rehearse, and refine the future of live events. Their leadership has transformed a bold idea into a thriving ecosystem of more than 30 companies and 1,500 jobs, with expansion on the horizon through the forthcoming Rock Nashville campus. Clair Global and TAIT—led by Troy and Adam, respectively—are two of the flagship companies that anchor the Rock Lititz Community.
Troy Clair, President and CEO of Clair Global, has played a pivotal role in expanding his family’s legacy into a global force in the live production industry. Since officially joining the company full-time in 1982, he has held nearly every position within Clair Global, ultimately becoming sole owner and CEO in 2007. His steadfast leadership has driven consistent international growth, significantly expanding the company’s global footprint. Born and raised in Lititz, PA, Troy has instilled a culture of innovation and relentless client focus, where delivering exactly what the client needs, when it’s needed, is paramount—an approach deeply rooted in the values of Lancaster County and one that has shaped both Clair Global and Rock Lititz.
Adam Davis, CEO of TAIT, has guided the company from a small powerhouse team into a global enterprise delivering some of the world’s most ambitious live experiences. With a background in technical direction from Carnegie Mellon and a drive to learn every aspect of the business, Adam joined TAIT in 1997 and became a partner in 2006. He is a proud transplant to Lancaster County who is deeply invested in the well-being of the community. His leadership is marked by a passion for creativity, precision, and pushing technical limits. Adam envisions both Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville as incubators for the next generation of live entertainment, where collaboration fuels innovation and artistry is matched by cutting-edge engineering.
Sponsored by Brown Plus
The Exemplar Award is one of the Lancaster Chamber’s highest honors, celebrating a leader whose lasting impact has shaped our business community, their respective industry, and Lancaster County. This award recognizes a visionary whose lasting dedication, bold leadership, and transformative contributions leave a legacy that inspires and drives Lancaster County’s continued growth and success.
Troy Clair &
Adam Davis
Clair Global | Tait Towers
At the heart of Rock Lititz—a world-renowned production campus for live entertainment—stand two visionary leaders: Troy Clair and Adam Davis. As Rock Lititz co-founders, their goal was to create a collaborative, purpose-built environment where the best in the business could come together to innovate, rehearse, and refine the future of live events. Their leadership has transformed a bold idea into a thriving ecosystem of more than 30 companies and 1,500 jobs, with expansion on the horizon through the forthcoming Rock Nashville campus. Clair Global and TAIT—led by Troy and Adam, respectively—are two of the flagship companies that anchor the Rock Lititz Community.
Troy Clair, President and CEO of Clair Global, has played a pivotal role in expanding his family’s legacy into a global force in the live production industry. Since officially joining the company full-time in 1982, he has held nearly every position within Clair Global, ultimately becoming sole owner and CEO in 2007. His steadfast leadership has driven consistent international growth, significantly expanding the company’s global footprint. Born and raised in Lititz, PA, Troy has instilled a culture of innovation and relentless client focus, where delivering exactly what the client needs, when it’s needed, is paramount—an approach deeply rooted in the values of Lancaster County and one that has shaped both Clair Global and Rock Lititz.
Adam Davis, CEO of TAIT, has guided the company from a small powerhouse team into a global enterprise delivering some of the world’s most ambitious live experiences. With a background in technical direction from Carnegie Mellon and a drive to learn every aspect of the business, Adam joined TAIT in 1997 and became a partner in 2006. He is a proud transplant to Lancaster County who is deeply invested in the well-being of the community. His leadership is marked by a passion for creativity, precision, and pushing technical limits. Adam envisions both Rock Lititz and Rock Nashville as incubators for the next generation of live entertainment, where collaboration fuels innovation and artistry is matched by cutting-edge engineering.