Congratulations to the 2013 NGLBTCC Business Award winners. The awards were given out just moments ago at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center after a keynote speech from Sam McClure from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. This year’s event boasted more than 200 in attendance.

The Samuel L. Felker Business Leader of the Year was presented to Jesse Ehrenfeld who was recognized for his amazing work with the Nashville GLBT community. Ehrenfeld is a board-certified anesthesiologist with an extensive background in clinical research, advocacy, and healthcare policy and currently serves as co-director of the Vanderbilt Program for LGBTI Health.

The Maria M. Salas Entrepreneur of the Year was presented to Amos Gott. Hailed as Nashville’s “best Event and Wedding Planner”, Gott is founder of Amos Events, a published and award-winning event coordination and design firm that combines creativity, direction, design, florals and production to develop events that are innovative and flawlessly executed.

The Mark Lee Taylor Community Service Award was presented to Nashville CARES. Nashville CARES promotes and participates in a comprehensive and compassionate response to HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee. Nashville CARES began in 1985 and last year Nashville CARES educated 11,200 teenagers about HIV prevention, provided 124,800 meals to 1,400 people with HIV/AIDS PLWHA and educated 32,500 GLBT individuals about HIV.

Join Nashville CARES and the Middle Tennessee community for Dining Out for Life April 23.

The Rhubarb Theater Company Leadership in the Arts Award was presented to Nashville in Harmony. Nashville in Harmony is Tennessee’s first and only musical arts organization specifically created for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people – and their straight allies. With a mission to “use music to build community and create social change,” Nashville in Harmony brings people together within both the GLBT community, as well as the community at large.

Join Nashville in Harmony for a free concert April 7 at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.

The Ally Award was presented to Don Abel, the Tennessee Affiliate President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank. Members of the LGBT Business Resource Group credit Don's commitment to diversity and engagement from the top for their success in employee engagement, customer experience, LGBT community outreach, and all-inclusive workplace policies.

The Corporate Diversity Award was presented to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center which achieved "Leader in LGBT Health Care" by the HRC last June. Vanderbilt Medical Center launched its Program for LGBTI Health in 2012. It's only the second program of its type in the country. The program addresses patients, families, research, clinicians, providers, and future providers.

The President’s Award was presented to Michael Fluck, former NGLBTCC president.

The Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Diane Fleet.

Finally the O&AN and BNA Talent Inspirational Person of the Year Award was presented to Vic Sorrell. Click here for more on Vic Sorrell and his inspiring journey.