Local News

CBICC bestows annual honors

Six companies, individuals earn recognition

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County awarded the 2026 Centre County Business Awards, presented by Stuckey Automotive, to six local businesses and individuals. The event was emceed by CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott, who highlighted the importance of recognizing excellence across the Centre County business community.

The award recipients are as follows:

-- ATHENA Champion Leadership Award: Carol Eicher

Throughout her career, Eicher has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to leadership, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others, particularly women. As a human resources professional at Penn State and a longtime community leader, she has dedicated more than two decades to making Centre County a more welcoming and inclusive place to live and work.

She co-founded the Community Diversity Group in 2001 and helped establish mentoring programs and the Cultural Empowerment for Women Luncheon Series, connecting women from diverse backgrounds with resources, relationships, and opportunities to grow.

-- Nonprofit of the Year: Discovery Space

Since opening in 2011, Discovery Space has grown from a children's science center into an extraordinary community resource, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. With more than 210,000 visits and over 60,000 children and families reached through outreach and after-school programs, its impact extends well beyond Centre County.

Through innovative STEM programming and The Rivet, its community makerspace, Discovery Space is not only inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators, but also supporting workforce development, entrepreneurship, and more than 125 local businesses. Equally impressive is its commitment to making these opportunities accessible to all families, regardless of financial circumstances.

-- Emerging Business of the Year: Justin Leusner Media

What began as a student startup founded by Penn State alumnus Justin Leusner, has grown into a nationally recognized sports media company, reaching millions of fans across the country. With more than one billion video views, Justin Leusner Media has built an impressive digital media brand, working with major organizations including the NBA, Disney+, YouTube, and Gatorade.

With support from Penn State's entrepreneurial ecosystem and organizations like Happy Valley LaunchBox and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Justin Leusner Media has turned an innovative idea into a thriving business with national reach. Along the way, the company continues to provide opportunities for Penn State students to gain valuable real-world experience.

-- Small Business of the Year: Harpers

This year, Harpers celebrates an extraordinary milestone -- 100 years of serving the community. What began in 1926 has grown into one of downtown State College's most recognizable and beloved businesses, carried forward today by third-generation owner Brian Cohen and his wife, Lisa.

Over the years, Harpers has demonstrated that even a century-old business can continue to innovate and grow. From expanding into a beautiful new downtown location to opening a second store here at the historic Nittany Lion Inn, Harpers continues to invest in our community. But beyond its success in retail, Harpers represents something even more meaningful; generations of family commitment, community involvement, and a belief in the importance of supporting the place they call home.

-- Business Leader of the Year: Edward Tubbs

Through his leadership of HAMCO and Lion Country Lodging, Tubbs has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to investing in Centre County. With nearly $100 million in hospitality development underway, he is helping transform our region's lodging and tourism landscape. From the recently opened Tru by Hilton near Bellefonte, to the new Home2 Suites under construction near Shiloh Road, and plans for additional development along the Bellefonte Waterfront, his investments are creating jobs, strengthening our visitor economy, and demonstrating tremendous confidence in Centre County.

His leadership extends well beyond his own business interests. As a CBICC Board member and a member of various other boards in the community, he generously contributes his time, experience, and perspective to strengthening our broader business community.

-- Business of the Year: DiamondBack Covers

What began as an idea at Penn State has grown into an extraordinary manufacturing success story right here in Centre County. Today, DiamondBack manufactures its innovative truck bed covers in Philipsburg, employs approximately 150 people across its operations, and ships its products to customers in all 50 states, generating more than $50 million in annual revenue.

What makes DiamondBack especially deserving of this recognition goes well beyond its business success. In 2025, the company launched an employee ownership program, giving team members a direct stake in the company's future. DiamondBack also commits 1% of its annual revenue to charitable giving, invests in developing future leaders, and provides employees with opportunities to give back through volunteer service.