Prior to the announcement of this year’s Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year, a panel was held where business leaders discussed their successes, accomplishments and career stories. Seen here, from left, panel host Chad Watkins, South Baldwin Chamber board president, with interviewees David Worthington, owner of Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast; Cody Maley, Scout South Properties, and; Francis Holk-Jones, State Farm Insurance.

Jessica Vaughn / Gulf Coast Media

FOLEY — Margaret Roley, CEO of South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (SBRMC), was named the Walton M. Vines Free Enterprise Person of the Year during the 46th-annual South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce event on Friday, Sept. 16.

Details: Every year the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce presents the Free Enterprise Person of the Year Award, recognizing a business owner in the community who has made a lasting impact on the area. The award recipient is kept secret from the general public - and the recipient - until the announcement during the event.

Recipient’s speech: “I am shocked,” Roley said after receiving the 2022 award. “I am truly honored, and I am truly humbled. When I think about this award, when I sat there today and listened to all of the incredible people who have received this award, you just don’t believe or feel deserving to be on that list … What I see on this list is a long list of people who truly love Foley and love the community, and I guess that’s the only thing I have in common with that talented list is that I probably love this community as much as the people on this list. I am very grateful to my family that they allow me to be part of this community, and to the team that I work with at the hospital that provides healthcare services to the community that we love.”

Roley’s work: Roley is a lifelong resident of Baldwin County. She served as Chief Nursing Officer at SBRMC for over 17 years before being appointed CEO earlier this year. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree which she received in 2018. She serves on the executive committee of Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, as well as the boards for the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Baldwin County, and is a member of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and G.U.M.B.O.
During her time at SBRMC, Roley has been involved in hospital advancements including the opening of SBRMC’s freestanding emergency department in Gulf Shores, and the planning and implementation of the hospital’s $200 million modernization project.

Importance of free enterprise: South Baldwin Chamber President Donna Watts addressed the audience of business leaders and spoke about what free enterprise means.
“Sometimes people say, ‘I don’t think I know what free enterprise means.’ It means you being able to choose what you do, so choose wisely and choose well, and teach your children to choose wisely,” she said. “What (business leaders) do every day is vitally important to this business community, and I hope you know that, and you feel that every day.”
For a full list of past winners, visit www.southbaldwinchamber.com.