Denise Rice Hall Selected As 2025 Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson Of The Year

The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce announces Denise Rice Hall, founder and president of Peak Performance Inc., as the 2025 Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year. She was selected by a committee comprised of former winners. Ms. Hall becomes the 32nd recipient of the award and will be honored at a luncheon on May 22, 11:30 a.m., at the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points.

After more than 26 years in the manufacturing industry as an electrical engineer and plant manager, Ms. Hall launched Peak Performance Inc. in 2016 with the mission to provide workforce training and consulting services tailored to the evolving needs of modern manufacturers. What began as a two-person operation has grown into a team of six full- time employees and 12 contractors, delivering cutting-edge training programs such as Lean Tools, Six Sigma certifications, and leadership development across Tennessee and beyond. From 2016 to 2024, Peak Performance Inc. has seen annual growth in sales from $120K to nearly $ 1M.

Ms. Hall’s innovative spirit led her to spearhead the creation of the Smart Factory Institute, the only U.S. affiliate of the Deutsche Messe Technology Academy. Operating within the PIE Innovation Center in Cleveland, the Institute serves as a hub for manufacturers adopting Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics, helping regional businesses remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Ms. Hall's dedication extends beyond the workplace. A former board member of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and past president of Cleveland Associated Industries, she continues to serve as an advisor to local high school STEM and technical programs. Her advocacy for manufacturing careers, especially among youth, has made a lasting impact on the region’s future workforce.

The Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year award is given in memory of Mel Bedwell, remembered for his energy, determination, ingenuity, honesty, enthusiasm, and loyalty. To be considered for this award, nominees should be leaders of small business displaying growth in number of employees, increase in sales or volume, innovativeness of the product or service offered, thoughtful response to adversity, evidence of contributions by the nominee to aid community-oriented projects and must have been in business at least three years.