Warner Peacock, chairman and CEO of Peacock Automotive, has been named the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.

The announcement came during the chamber’s March 28 banquet at the Chelsea Plantation. The event marked the 60th annual installation and awards banquet for the group, as well as the 29th annual Jasper on the Move Celebration.

Jill Jauch, advertising and marketing manager for Peacock Automotive, accepted the award on behalf of Peacock, who was in Florida on business.

“I am excited and humbled by this award,” said Peacock when informed of the honor. “Jasper County has always been a very welcoming environment for our dealerships, and we are excited to be part of a vibrant and growing business community. The location is absolutely perfect, easily accessed from Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and Savannah.”

The Jasper County Chamber of Commerce presents its business person of the year annual award to an individual judged to exhibit “the qualities of a model business person.” The award criteria call for the honoree to be an executive for an established business with a substantial history, one that exhibits growth in the number of employees and an increase in sales, responds effectively to adversity and contributes to community projects.

Peacock’s company, which operates over a three-state area, is headquartered at Peacock Auto Mall Mall on U.S. 278 in Jasper County.

His business investments include, in addition to auto and motorcycle dealerships, casual dining restaurants, bank branches, residential communities, shopping centers and lifestyle properties. Peacock serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of The South Carolina Jobs and Economic Development Authority and is a board member for the SouthernCarolina Alliance.

He and his companies take an active role in community charities. Recently, Peacock was named an ambassador at the Congaree Club, a Jasper County-based national philanthropic organization.