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HAGERSTOWN — Donald Hoffman was named Washington County Business Person of the Year before about 350 people Wednesday night during the 11th annual Washington County Business Awards at Hager Hall Conference and Event Center.

The event was co-hosted by the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce and the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission.

The ceremony is held to recognize innovative businesses, and finalists in six categories were briefly described in videos shown on a large screen at the front of a conference room.

Hoffman, of Hoffman’s Quality Meats, was considered along with finalists Andrew Sargent and Gregory Snook.

“Wow,” Hoffman said as he approached the stage after being announced as the winner.

The business person of the year award is given to someone who has demonstrated excellence in business, enhanced the image of the business community or has provided superior service to business and the community as a whole.

Hoffman enjoys meeting young people and emphasizing to them the importance of further education, whether it is college or attending a technical institution.

After receiving his award, Hoffman said he meets young people in a variety of ways and he sometimes takes youths to colleges so they can visit the schools.

Not only does a higher education improve the life of one individual, but often it causes that person’s children to seek higher education, Hoffman said.

“It grows and it expands,” Hoffman said.

When asked what he thought of his award, Hoffman said he was humbled and added that the work he does is just something he enjoys.

“To me, inner satisfaction means more to me than anything,” he said.

Wednesday’s event, which was billed as a “swank see-and-be-seen red carpet event,” was emceed by local television personality Pieter Bickford. The event included dinner and a hypnosis demonstration where a group of people were invited on stage to participate. Bickford sprinkled humor in the festivities, like when Leiter’s Fine Catering was named the winner of the At Your Service award.

The award was given to retail or service businesses for undertaking actions that generate customer loyalty and satisfaction.

When representatives of Leiter’s Fine Catering approached the stage, Bickford asked them “How was the food tonight? Meet your standards?”

The remaining awards went to Hub Labels, Inc., in the Going Green category; Sierra Nevada Corporation, which received the Impact award; Community Free Clinic, which received the Nonprofit Impact award; and Palmyra Farm Cheese LLC, in the Small Business category.

The award finalists, selected from a pool of nearly 100 nominees, are listed below:

At Your Service

Awarded to a Washington County retail or service business for undertaking actions that generate customer loyalty and satisfaction.

• Homewood Suites by Hilton

• Leiter's Fine Catering

• University of Maryland Extension, Washington County

Going Green

Awarded to a Washington County business that has integrated specific "Green" initiatives into its products or service offerings and/or operating practices and procedures.

• Cookies Catering

• Hub Labels Inc.

• Volvo Powertrain North America

Impact

Awarded to a Washington County business that has demonstrated product or service quality, innovation, strong community involvement, high standards in business practice, commitment to Washington County and the community, and that has established a successful business in Washington County.

• 2nd Floor

• Sierra Nevada Corp.

• Susquehanna Bank

Nonprofit Impact

Recognizes and honors a local 501c3 organization that improves the lives of those it serves and has an office in Washington County. The recipient receives an unrestricted grant of $1,000, made possible by the Community Foundation of Washington County, MD Inc.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County

• Community Free Clinic

• Ravenwood Lutheran Village

Small Business

Awarded to a Washington County business with fewer than 25 employees that has increased employment and/or production and/or introduced an innovative product or service.

• Centra Bank

• Palmyra Farm Cheese LLC

• Specialized Communications Corp.

Washington County Business Person of the Year

Awarded to a Washington County business person who has demonstrated excellence in business, enhanced the image of the business community and/or has provided superior service to business and the community as a whole.

• Donald Hoffman

• Andrew Sargent

• Gregory Snook