Amanda Furgiuele (second from right), owner of Body in Balance and The Pole Room, was honored as the Young Professional of the Year in Pacific Edge magazine’s sixth annual Business Achievement Awards.

LAHAINA – Pacific Edge magazine recently announced the winners of its sixth annual Business Achievement Awards. Winners for each of the nine categories were announced during an exclusive, red carpet awards gala at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. Among the winners was Lahaina resident Amanda Furgiuele, owner of Body in Balance and The Pole Room.

“I am so completely honored to accept the award for Young Professional of the Year! I was up against some very impressive companies and people, and could not be more excited,” said Furgiuele.

This award recognizes a young entrepreneur, business owner or executive of a local company/organization who exemplifies business excellence, community spirit, innovation, personal integrity, and has made an impressive impact on their industry.

The Young Professional of the Year serves as an ideal model for other aspiring young professionals and entrepreneurs.

“This year’s applications were much harder to judge than last year’s. There were a number of very qualified applicants who are all committed to positively influencing our business community and helping to raise the business standards of our Aloha State,” said Ryan Tanaka, executive vice president of Waterhouse Inc.

“We are delighted to recognize the impressive finalists in nine categories,” said Naomi Hazelton-Giambrone, co-founder of Element Media Inc. and co-publisher of Pacific Edge magazine. “As a company, we strive to spotlight the most innovative and inspirational professionals and organizations in our community. It’s always been a dream of mine to showcase people that take the risk to be different.”

Nominations were judged by an independent panel comprised of seven esteemed members of the business community, including Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Ben Rafter, former president and CEO of Aqua Hotels and Resorts and now successful hotelier.

Other winners included: Commitment to Green – Blue Planet Foundation; Corporate Social Responsibility – Comprendio; Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year – Robyn Gee Tucker, marketing manager at Ala Moana Center; Best Social Media Campaign – The Singing Realtor; Best Family-Run Business – The Systemcenter; Best New Business – DevLeague; and Business Executive of the Year – Bram Begonia, director of operations at The Salvation Army Kroc Center Hawaii.