2025 Award Nominees

Heart of Little Elm

• Must be a non-profit organization or volunteer for one • Have a sustained achievement in fundraising • Recognized leadership with a reputation for excellence • Possess high ethical standards and compliance guidelines • Have a record of longevity and stability • Demonstrate community consciousness with civic and community involvement • Must have been a member of the Chamber for a minimum of 1 year

Nominees: *

Little Elm Area Food Bank Little Elm Rotary Club Refresh North Texas St. Arbor Community Development Inc.

Small Business of the Year

• Less than 25 employees • Appears financially stable and show continued growth • Operational for a minimum of 3 years • Nominee must have owner, partner or shareholder that is active in day to day operations • Possess evidence of good business practices • Must have been a member of the Chamber for a minimum of 1 year

Nominees: *

Leo's Brunch House Luette Financial Services Precision Smiles The Whiskey Blendery

Large Business of the Year

• More than 25 employees • Appears financially stable and show continued growth • Operational for a minimum of 3 years • Nominee must have owner, partner or shareholder that is active in day to day operations • Possess evidence of good business practices • Exhibits competitive edge through technological innovation in one or more of the following: Customer Service, Workplace Environment, Products and Services, Growth in Business and Employee Retention • Must have been a member of the Chamber for a minimum of 1 year

Nominees: *

ASCO Equipment Co. Little Elm ISD One World Bank Retractable Technologies, Inc

Community Partner of the Year

• Exceptional community involvement • Exhibits actions that honor the Town of Little Elm’s Core Values; Integrity, Innovation, Customer Service and Efficiency • Exemplifies Servant Leadership • Inspires others to get involved • Collaborates with others in the community and with other organizations • Must have been a member of the Chamber for a minimum of 1 year

Nominees: *

Community Waste Disposal (CWD) CoServ Little Elm ISD Point Bank

Rising Star

• Operational for at least a year but less than 3 years • Potential for continued growth and job creation • Customer focused and adaptable • Involved in the community, its organization and participatory in Town Events.

Nominees: *

Burn Boot Camp Little Elm Lakefront Energy Stella's Ice Cream Uptown Cheapskate Little Elm

Chamber Member of the Year

• Volunteers their time promoting Little Elm Businesses and Chamber Events • Projects a positive image • Assists with volunteer roles at events • Reaches out and welcomes new members • Provided swag for New Resident Bags • Provides promotional items at monthly luncheons • Attends Chamber Events • Must have been a member of the Chamber for a minimum of 1 year

Nominees: *

Raymond Longstreth Lauren Luette Danny Walker Paula Ward Lafreda Williams

Little Elm Citizen of the Year

The Citizen of the Year (Community Member of the Year) Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Little Elm community. Nominees should meet the following criteria: • Must reside in or have served the Little Elm community for at least one year. • Made a significant and positive difference in the Little Elm area through voluntary (non-compensated) service or civic engagement. • Exhibits leadership, integrity, and inspires others to engage in community betterment. • Demonstrates either sustained service over time or a major contribution within the past year. • Works in a way that fosters community partnership, addresses broader community needs, and enhances quality of life. This award is open to both Chamber members and non-members who have made a meaningful impact in our community.

Nominees: *

Rollie Light - Rollie Light has volunteered over 150 hours since graduating from LEPD CPA. He has played an important roll in our active shooter and stop the bleed classes, volunteers at nearly every little elm big event as a bad checker to ensure the safety of visitors and regularly volunteers at Union Park Elementary as a crosswalk and goes above and beyond to engage with the students. Jeanette K. McCullough - Jenny McCullough deserves to be recognized as Little Elm Chamber’s Citizen of the Year because she has made an extraordinary and lasting impact on both the people and animals of our community. Three years ago, Jenny personally founded FLEAS (Friends of Little Elm Animal Shelter)—a completely volunteer-run nonprofit organization that provides free spay/neuter services, vaccines, and microchips to pets in the Little Elm area. Her efforts directly reduce animal homelessness and help families who may otherwise face the heartbreaking decision of surrendering their pets. Every hour she invests is 100% voluntary, driven purely by compassion and her commitment to serving others. Jenny is a hands-on leader who truly leads by example. She inspires and organizes dozens of volunteers, guiding them in animal transport, rescue operations, food distribution, grant writing, and community outreach. Her integrity, empathy, and work ethic motivate others to step up and contribute, creating a powerful culture of kindness and service throughout Little Elm. Her service is not only heartfelt—it is also sustained and impactful. Over the past year alone, Jenny helped distribute more than 55,000 pounds of dog and cat food through the FLEAS pet food pantry, ensuring families in financial hardship could keep their beloved pets at home. She also helped establish and maintain a medical fund that provides treatment for sick and injured animals that would otherwise face euthanasia. These efforts have saved countless animal lives and brought comfort and relief to local families. Jenny’s work strengthens community partnerships and enhances overall quality of life. She has built strong bridges between the Little Elm Animal Shelter, the Little Elm Area Food Bank, and residents who rely on these essential services. Through FLEAS, she addresses a deeper community need: helping families stay whole, reducing emotional and financial stress, and promoting values of compassion, responsibility, and connection across Little Elm. For her unwavering leadership, her incredible volunteer spirit, and her measurable, life-changing impact on the community, Jenny McCullough exemplifies what it means to be Citizen of the Year. Joselyn Passerelle - Since its inception, Josselyn has been instrumental in the success of the Veterans Committee. She has taken on an extraordinary amount of work to grow this membership and host amazing events. If it weren't for Josselyn, our Town's veterans wouldn't have half the recognition or resource assistance that they have experienced. In addition to her full time job, she worked tirelessly to plan, design, and execute the Veterans Banquet. Without her, it simply would not have happened. She has a heart for our community and has been involved in multiple capacities, such as a graduate of our Citizens Government Academy, and most recently, serving on the Charter Review Committee. I can't think of anyone who has done more for our community in recent years than Josselyn. Jahaia Smith - Jahaia Smith has been an incredible asset to our team, volunteering at three of our Special Events solely out of the goodness of her heart and a genuine desire to serve her community. Whether assisting with guest services, supporting operations, or stepping in wherever needed, Jahaia consistently brings a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Her reliability, initiative, and willingness to take on any task have made a tremendous impact on the success of our events. Jahaia embodies the spirit of community service, making her an outstanding candidate for the Little Elm Chamber’s Citizen of the Year. Her kindness, dedication, and passion for giving back truly set her apart, and our community is better because of her.

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