Congrats to Chamber Winners of Gayest & Greatest

by: A.J. Mistretta

Every year, OutSmart Magazine honors the people, companies and organizations that serve our community best. The winners of the annual Gayest & Greatest Awards are outlined in the magazine's October issue now on newsstands around town. We at the Chamber are pleased that so many of our members are among the 2018 honorees. 

Here's a rundown of Chamber members among the winners and finalists: 

Best Female LGBTQ Business Person
Jill Maxwell, Le Meridien (Finalist)
Tammi Wallace, EnFocus Strategies (Finalist)

Best Male LGBTQ Business Person
Lane Lewis, Lane Lewis Agency LLC (Finalist)
Gerard O'Brien, vitality IV & ORION Ambulance Services (Finalist)

Favorite Female (Community) Radio Personality
Khaliah Guillory, Nap Bar (Winner)

Favorite Male  Male Community Photographer
Dalton DeHart (Winner)

Leading Male Fundraiser
Gary Wood, Integrus Solutions (Finalist)

Best Male Real Estate Agent
Brooks Ballard, Engel & Volkers International Real Estate (Finalist)
Luke Volz, Skyline Home Group (Finalist)

Best Mortgage Company 
Cody Grizzoffi, InterLinc Mortgage Services  (Winner)

Best Local Hotel
Le Meridien (Winner)

Best  Local Transportation
METRO (Finalist)

Best Houston LGBTQ Corporate Group 
Chevron  (Winner)
Amegy Bank (Finalist)
Comcast (Finalist)
Shell (Finalist)

Best  Local LGBTQ Website
OutSmart Magazine (Winner)

Favorite HIV/AIDS Support Organization
The  Montrose Center (Finalist)

Best Pharmacy
Legacy Community Health (Finalist)

Best  Urgent or Emergency Care Center
SignatureCare Emergency Center (Winner)

Favorite Hydrating IV Spa
Vitality IV Studio   (Winner)

Best Bank/Credit Union
Amegy Bank  (Finalist)
East West Bank (Finalist)

Best Female Attorney 
deborah lawson  (Winner)
Phyllis Frye (Finalist)

Best Male Attorney 
Raed Gonzalez  (Winner, Tie)
John Nechman (Winner, Tie)
Mitchell Katine (Finalist)

Best  Male Financial Planner/Advisor
Bryan Cotton  (Winner)
Shane Theriot (Finalist)

Best Male Insurance Agent
Lane Lewis  (Winner)
Jeremy Henry (Finalist)
Patrick Torma (Finalist)

Club or Restaurant with the Best Margarita
Guava Lamp  (Finalist)

Club or Restaurant with the Best Martini
Guava Lamp  (Finalist)

Best Art Galery/Place to Buy Artwork
Jumper Maybach (Finalist)

Best Copy/Print Shop
AlphaGraphics of Sugar Lane (Finalist)

Best Place to Buy Cellular Phones
Lea Bogle, Premier Wireless (Winner)

Best Wedding Cake Bakery
David Alcorta Catering (Finalist)

Best Wedding/Event Catering Firm
David Alcorta Catering (Winner, Tie)
Jim Benton of Houston (Winner, Tie)

Best Wedding/Event Planner
David Alcorta Catering (Finalist)

Best Wedding/Event Venue
Le Meriden (Winner)

Favorite LGBTQ Benefit of the Year
Legacy Community Health (Finalist)