Chamber Honors Local Leaders at 2025 Small Business Awards Celebration
On May 14, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Small Business Awards Celebration at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront, honoring three outstanding professionals for their leadership, creativity, and commitment to the local business community. Recipients were selected from nominations submitted by Chamber members and evaluated by past honorees.
Dr. Larry Little, CEO of Eagle Consulting, LLC, was named the Raymon Baker – John Cook – Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year. A seven-time author, executive coach and principal partner of Eagle Consulting, Dr. Little leads the company’s two divisions: Eagle Center for Leadership and Eagle Counseling. Under his leadership, Eagle Consulting has worked with more than 100 organizations, provided thousands of counseling sessions annually and impacted lives across the country and around the world. His "Little Profile" personality assessment, featured in his bestselling book Make a Difference, has been taken by more than one million people.
Known for his ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life, Dr. Little has led leadership development programs from Kashmir, India, to Washington D.C., working with Fortune 100 companies as well as small businesses in Decatur. He also serves on the board of the Enrichment Center, helping to support the mental health needs of children in the community.
Kyle Pike, Business Development Manager at Fite Building Company, received the Arthur Orr Young Professional of the Year award. A Decatur native and graduate of Austin High School and Calhoun Community College, Pike began his career at Hexcel before advancing into project coordination and business development roles. In his current position, he supports Fite Building Company’s growth through relationship-building and strategic partnerships.
Pike’s dedication to service extends beyond his professional role. He is serving his first term on the Decatur City Council representing District 2 and has held leadership positions with the Decatur Jaycees, One Decatur, the Decatur Kiwanis Club, and the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation. He is also a graduate of the Chamber’s Excellence in Leadership program, ABC of North Alabama’s Future Leaders Exchange, and the Alabama Leadership Initiative.
Maegan Schwindling, Facilitator of the Decatur Morgan CEO Program, was honored as the Lynn C. Fowler Non-Profit Professional of the Year. A Decatur native and graduate of Decatur Heritage Christian Academy and the University of Alabama, Schwindling began her career in social work and later launched the North Alabama office of Lifeline Children’s Services. In her current role, she mentors high school students in leadership and entrepreneurship.
Now in her fifth year leading the CEO program, Schwindling has helped more than 50 students start their own businesses and connected them with a network of over 60 local business mentors. Her work has gained statewide attention, including recognition from Innovate Alabama and a national documentary highlighting the program’s success. She is also a published author, small business owner and adoption advocate. Schwindling currently serves as Vice Chair and incoming Chair of the national board of Bethany Christian Services and works as a federal policy strategist for adopted children.
During the event, the Chamber also recognized members celebrating significant milestone anniversaries and the graduation of the 2024-2025 Excellence in Leadership class. The graduates shared updates about their upcoming community service project—a pickleball tournament scheduled for Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29. The tournament will be among the first to take place on the new pickleball courts at Point Mallard Park, with proceeds benefiting three local nonprofits: Brothers for Life Benefit Fund, First Priority of Greater Decatur, and Meals on Wheels.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor King Insurance Agency for making a donation to the Decatur Morgan CEO Program in honor of the local small business community and to our gold sponsors MB Electric, Inc. and Renasant Bank.