Rockdale Citizen

Elly Dalton, left, was named the winner of the 2012 Jerry Barboe Small Business Person of the Year Award Thursday evening. Dalton is a financial advisor with Edward D. Jones in Conyers. Shown with Dalton is Jackie Barboe, whose late husband is the award's namesake.

CONYERS -- Elly Dalton was named the Jerry Barboe Small Business Person of the Year Thursday evening by the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.

In accepting the award at a Chamber After Hours event at the Corner Market, Dalton likened the honor to one of the most memorable occasions in her life.

"This is right up there with when my husband asked me to marry him," she said.

A financial advisor since 2002, Dalton opened her Edward Jones office in Conyers in 2003. She has supported several service groups and nonprofits including American Business Women's Association, United Way of Rockdale County, Rockdale Rotary Club and the Kim Atkins Foundation.

Dalton said she enjoyed the "autonomy and authority and opportunity to provide good services and products" to her clients in the community, as well as the opportunity to serve the community through volunteer efforts.

Dalton was among three top finalists selected by a Chamber committee from among a total of eight nominees. The other finalists were Dotti Bala and Dr. Fred Hedrick. The five other nominees were Qader Baig, Foy Mainor, Cheryl Pritchard, Cal Rueping Jr. and Robert "Mo" Talley.

Award committee members examined company growth, vision and significant accomplishments, as well as positive impacts on and personal contributions to the community.

The award is named for Jerry Barboe, a longtime business owner and community activist. Previous winners of the award who were also on hand at the event included David Shipp, Anita Smith, and Lorraine Harrison, who is currently serving as chairman of the Chamber board of directors.