The winner of the 2026 Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was announced during the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Brodak’s Banquet Hall in Oakland. Martin Heise made the presentation to this year’s winner, Dave Taylor of Green Acres Garden Center & Flower Basket.
The Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award honors business leaders who demonstrate a willingness to take risks, a strong commitment to their community, high ethical standards, and leadership through innovation and perseverance. Dave Taylor exemplifies these qualities through his decades of dedication to both his business and the people of Garrett County.
Taylor has been a cornerstone of Green Acres in Oakland since he began working there at just 23 years old. In 2005, he assumed full ownership of the family business, continuing its legacy while guiding it through years of growth and change. Known for his hands-on approach, Taylor remains deeply involved in daily operations, setting the tone for a workplace culture rooted in hard work, care, and respect. His leadership has fostered long-term employee relationships and a loyal customer base, contributing to the business’s enduring success.
Under Taylor’s leadership, Green Acres has become more than a successful business, it has become a fixture of the community. His commitment to giving back is evident in countless acts of generosity, from regularly donating products for local fundraisers to supporting organizations such as Cindy’s Fund and community events throughout the year. His contributions often happen quietly, without recognition, reflecting a genuine desire to make a difference rather than seek the spotlight.
Taylor’s impact extends well beyond his business. A lifelong advocate for youth development, he has dedicated decades to coaching wrestling in Garrett County. As a coach at Southern High School and a leader in the Southern Mat Club, he has helped shape the lives of countless young athletes, many of whom have gone on to achieve success at the collegiate level. Additionally, he has employed numerous student athletes at Green Acres, in attempt to begin their work career on solid foundation. His influence as a mentor and role model has left a lasting mark on generations of students. You will often hear to this day, “Love you coach” by athletes he has had an impact on, both past and present.
Additional nominations highlighted Taylor’s unwavering support for community initiatives and his creative approach to engaging customers and giving back. From organizing fundraisers and donating flowers for local events to finding unique ways to bring people together, his efforts consistently reflect both entrepreneurial creativity and a deep sense of community responsibility.
Those who know Taylor describe him as humble, hardworking, and deeply committed to others. His philosophy of success is simple: continue working hard not only to sustain his business, but to give back to the community that has supported him. This mindset has defined both his professional achievements and his personal legacy.
“Dave Taylor represents everything the Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was created to honor,” said Nick Sharps, President of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. “His leadership, work ethic, and commitment to his employees and community have made a lasting impact on Garrett County. Dave leads by example, and his legacy is reflected not just in his business, but in the countless lives he’s influenced along the way.”
The Heise award criteria states eligible nominees are “business owners including partners/families that originated, developed, and/or significantly expanded their business.”
Additional criteria for this award include: having a willingness to take risks with the possibility of losing all, being involved in the community, having high ethical standards, being a member of the Chamber of Commerce and having demonstrated leadership (through one or more of the following):
- By overcoming a formidable problem that threatened the business’s existence
- By showing business acumen through embarking on a creative, insightful or overlooked opportunity that makes important contributions to Garrett County’s business environment
- Through substantive community impact
The Heise Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Committee, comprised of previous winners, recommends finalists and a winner to the Chamber Board of Directors. The Board makes the final determination on the winner.
Past honorees include Jonathan “Smiley” Kessler; Bill Sisler; Olen Beitzel; Johnny Marple; Jim Flanigan, Sr.; Will and Sharon Roszell; Barry Rush; Rob Michael; Dave & Mimi Demaree; Brenda McDonnell; Bill Meagher; Michael Deligatti, Sr.; Jan Russell; Frank Vitéz; Judy Devlin; Skip and Linda Carr; Brian Branthoover; Rob Heilig; Nancy Railey; Tom and Sara Jane Kuhn; Hugh Umbel; Steve Green; and Jodi & Joe Refosco and Chad Taylor; Bill Weissgerber; Tim Bender; Karen Myers; and Kate Collins.
The 2026 Annual Membership Meeting & Dinner is supported by the generosity of many Chamber members. The event’s Platinum sponsors are First United Bank & Trust; Deep Creek Marina; and Garrett Regional Medical Center, a proud partner of WVU Medicine.
Gold sponsors include: First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union; The Garrett County Republican; Morin Aviation; NextEra Advisors; Silver Tree Marine; and Taylor-Made Deep Creek Sales.
Silver Sponsors: Byco Enterprises, Inc.; Railey Realty and Railey Vacations.
Bronze Sponsors: CINTAS; Clear Mountain Bank; Deep Creek Spa & Billiards; Geppert, McMullen, Paye & Getty; The Rodeheaver Group, P.C.; Today Media Custom Communications; and USI Insurance Services.
Photo caption: Martin Heise, Brenda McDonnell, Karen Myers, Frank Vitez, Jonathan Kessler, Dave Taylor, Steve Green, and Chad Taylor | Dave Bruffy, Smoke N Mirrors Photography
