and business protection , what sets their agency apart is the fact that they also offer certain expertise in agriculture .
“ Many times , especially in the independent agency system , your carriers set you apart ,” Tillman said .
In addition to the carriers , a dedicated team of agents is also crucial for success .
“ The staff here has just done a great job helping our customers ,” he said .
For over four decades , Jordan Insurance Agency has been making customers feel confident in their coverage decisions and they plan on continuing that care through their new partnership with Acentria Insurance , which is a change that will allow them to expand their number of carriers .
By implementing individualized customer care and expanding their coverage options for their clients , Jordan Insurance Agency is one-of-a-kind and it ’ s just a glimpse into why they were named Medium Business of the Year .
> Small Business of the Year :
Tri-County Tree Service , Inc .
After dropping out of high school , BJ Shirah went straight to work . He found his niche in the tree service industry , and after a while , he knew he wanted to start his own business in the field . He went back to school and moved to Lake City where he continued to work for a company until 1993 when he formed Tri-County Tree Service , Inc .
Living in a state plagued by hurricanes and blanketed with lush foliage , Florida natives are no stranger to the multitude of tree-removal services available , but Tri-County is in a league of their own .
“ We try to treat people as if it ’ s our own home , so when we leave , we want it spotless . We want the roof blown off , the gutters cleaned out , we want every leaf raked up , driveways , you know , we want it extremely clean ,” Shirah said .
Though unintentional , it also become a family business as Shirah has spent the last 28 years working alongside his dad , sister and now his daughter , Kelsey , and his son-in-law , Clinton .
“ The better part of the business is when my daughter came along and started introducing things like 401 ( k ) s for our employees , insurance , things like that ,” he said . “ That ’ s just the way that I chose to run a company is that I want to treat my employees like I want to be treated and I think it shows because they ’ ve stayed with us a long time .”
“ The way that we treat our employees [ is ] probably one of the key factors of what separates us . When you see our guys show up on a job , they ’ re all wearing matching uniforms , they ’ re all very respectful , these guys , again , make very good money and we pay them well so that we don ’ t have a lot of turnover .”
Aside from caring for his employees , Shirah uses his business as a platform to help the community . Whether it ’ s coaching at the local high school , building a float for the Christmas on the Square parade or participating in the annual Veteran ’ s Day parade , Shirah , and by extension Tri-County Tree Service , Inc ., does everything he can to make an impact around him . Even so , the company ’ s biggest efforts are toward veterans . For the past six years , every year Tri-County Tree Service , Inc . has given away two free $ 1,500 jobs to two deserving veterans and donate to the VFW whenever called on .
“ Putting your time in the community I think is the key ,” he said .
Love for their employees and the community built the foundation for Tri-County Tree Service , Inc . being named Small Business of the Year .
“ It felt very gratifying that somebody would recognize what we ’ re doing as a blue-collar business ,” Shirah said .
“ Honestly , I was very privileged to get up and speak after winning because I was honestly not prepared . I just didn ’ t think , I really didn ’ t think at all that we were gonna have a chance at even winning ,” he said . “ When I got up there and spoke it was gratifying because I got to tell people in person , how thankful I was .”
> Nonprofit of the Year :
Suwannee Correctional Institution
Suwannee Correctional Institution was established in 2009 and encompasses three entities : the main unit , an annex and a work complex , all of which can house a little over 3,000 in-
2021-2022 | SUWANNEE CHAMBER IMPACT 99