Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden was recently named Commissioner of the Year by the 2012 Georgia Minority Business Awards, sponsored by the Atlanta Business Journal.

Oden was one of 11 people honored. Other awardees included business presidents and CEOs, a mayor and nonprofit director.

"I was surprised by the nomination and very humbled to get such an award," Oden said. "I'm in an esteemed group of awardees, which makes me encouraged to keep doing the work that I'm doing for Rockdale County."

The awards selection committee said the Chairman received the award "...because of the many county management growth projects you have developed for Rockdale County and also accomplishing becoming the first African-American CEO for Rockdale County."

The Atlanta Business Journal, which according to its website was "created to assess and supply economic projections that affect the African American consumer and business community," created the awards 15 years ago.

The awards have expanded to recognize leaders and businesses for outstanding community service in areas such as community development, international business, sales growth, personal achievement, nonprofit organizational excellence, longevity of service and government administration.

The 15th annual award was presented during a multi-cultural banquet themed, "Preparing Our Teens for Global Competition," on March 29 at the Georgia International Convention Center.

More than 300 people from throughout the region attended the celebration.

Through sponsorships, the event also works to raise scholarship funds for students majoring in business, graphic design, international studies, IT and are in trade schools.

Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell, also a past awardee, presented Oden the award.