Nominees for the 2011 Decatur County Man of the Year award, to be given by the Bainbridge Kiwanis Club at the Chamber of Commerce's annual awards ceremony on Jan. 26, are Dewey Robinson, left, and Matt Palmer, right.

Two local businessmen are the nominees for the Bainbridge Kiwanis Club’s Man of the Year award, which will be presented at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual award ceremony and banquet on Jan. 26.

Dewey Robinson was nominated by one of his sons, Ed Robinson.

Robinson is the owner and operator of Robinson Motors in Bainbridge. He is also the owner of the River Plaza Shopping Center, People’s Loan Service Inc., and the co-owner of Decatur Broadcasting.

He is on the board of directors of First National Bank of Decatur County, serves as chairman of the board of the Bainbridge Salvation Army Service Center and is the scholarship chairman of the executive committee of the Bainbridge College Foundation.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal recently appointed Robinson to serve on the Georgia Rural Development Council.

Some of the community groups Robinson has been involved with over the years include the American Cancer Society, Memorial Hospital and Manor, Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA, Bainbridge College Foundation and the Decatur County Airport Authority.

“So much of his work has not been for personal or professional gain but for the betterment of this community as a whole,” Robinson’s son wrote in a letter to the Kiwanis Club. “I believe he is truly concerned about the future of Bainbridge and Decatur County and wants it to be a better place for future generations.”

Robinson and his wife, Joyce, are members of First Baptist Church in Bainbridge, where he serves as a deacon.

Matt Palmer

Matt Palmer was nominated by Kim Walden, the membership and communications director at the Bainbridge-Decatur County Chamber of Commerce.

Palmer owns a local insurance company, The Palmer Agency Inc., and he is a native of Bainbridge.

Palmer served as Chamber of Commerce chairman for 2010. He also served as the chairperson of the Bainbridge Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, Palmer is on the Board of Directors for First Port City Bank. He also serves on the Career and Technical Advisor Council for Bainbridge College and has lent his business expertise to some of their classes.

“In every instance where Matt volunteered his time, I have seen him lead by example at the highest level,” Walden wrote. “In short, Matt’s passion and conscientious desire to serve our community to the very best of his ability makes him deserving of the Man of the Year award.”

Palmer is a member of the Bainbridge Rotary Club and is an avid fisherman. He is a member of the Professional Insurance Agents of Georgia and the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia.

He and his wife, Tish, have two children, Riley and Gibbs.