The Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Arlington Best Business Awards earlier this year, with sponsorship from the Arlington Area Federal Credit Union. The event recognized local businesses that consistently deliver high-quality service and demonstrate industry leadership, unique approaches to delivering products or services, and significant growth or stability over time. The awards also acknowledged companies that show a commitment to diversity and inclusion and exhibit a genuine interest in the success of the Arlington community.
Among the winners were Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz of Arlington, and Courthouse’s Behavioral Health Clinic. Mastercard, based in Purchase, New York, has a technology hub in Ballston and is recognizable by its ubiquitous logo atop an office building at 4250 Fairfax Drive.
This year’s event included inductions into the Chamber of Commerce’s Arlington Business Hall of Fame. Three individuals were honored: Mr. Johnson, Mr. Laura C. Reinsch, and Mr. Robert H. Hawthorne. Johnson served as Arlington’s first professional county mayor from 1962 until 1976. Reinsch is the second president and CEO of Reinsch Companies, and Hawthorne retired in 2021 after a memorable career in banking.
The awards ceremony also recognized the winner of the Sustainable Business of the Year award, Home Energy Medix, and the Nonprofit Business of the Year, National Capital Treatment & Recovery. Mercedes-Benz of Arlington won the Retail Small Business Award, and the Service Small Business award went to the Arlington/DC Behavioral Therapy Institute. Mastercard was recognized as the Large Business of the Year.
Mark Zetlin, of Mercedes-Benz of Arlington, expressed pride in the company’s 86-year history and dedication to providing excellent customer care. Each winner demonstrated a commitment and interest in the Arlington community, making it a great place to live.
The Hall of Fame inductees shared inspiring stories about their upbringings and how they achieved success. Johnson was instrumental in developing the Roslyn area as an office center and building the subway system on the Roslyn-Ballston corridor. Reinsch focused on property development along Columbia Pike and later directed capital campaigns for VHC Health and Marymount University. Hawthorne played a pivotal role in the Chamber of Commerce’s early membership campaigns and served as its chairman in 1997. He also co-founded the Leadership Center for Excellence in 2000 and served as its first chairman.
Overall, the event celebrated excellence in business and civic engagement and highlighted the important role that local businesses play in the Arlington community.