Car shop owner is awarded

In a roundabout way, Clarence James Roddy can thank his Corvette for a recent honor.

Joe Henderson, owner of Atlantic Construction Inc., said Roddy promises himself that one day he would own a Corvette.

"It was a promise he kept," Henderson said. "He is the founding member of the Jacksonville Corvette Club, which is still active more than 30 years later."

Ultimately, Henderson explained, that Roddy's passion for fast cars coupled with his supply and organizational skills led to his business, Fast & Clean Inc., which sells high-performance car accessories and cleaning products.

And, ultimately, Roddy was named 2008 Wachovia Small Business Person of the Year.

Roddy, a retired Marine 1st lieutenant, received the honor Friday during a breakfast meeting sponsored by Wachovia, Onslow Memorial Hospital, Coastal Carolina Community College and Jacksonville-Onslow Chamber of Commerce's small business council as part of Small Business Appreciation Week.

Henderson owns Atlantic Construction, Inc. and received the award last year. He presented this year's award to Roddy, who will become chairman on the chamber Board of Directors in 2009.

"He has lived a life of exemplary service, to his country, to the chamber, to the community he has made his home, to the business he created and to his family," Henderson said.

In addition to his involvement in the chamber, Roddy is a member of the Better Business Bureau, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, and the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club.

Roddy said he was overwhelmed and surprised by the award.

He attributed his success to his family.

"I've had a couple heroes in my life, my mother and father, who taught me integrity and honesty," Roddy said. "My mother taught me to never associate with those that would take me down. My father taught me integrity ... and reminded me the name I had wasn't mine, it was his, and if I ever did anything to dishonor that name ... I didn't want to know what would happen."

He called his wife his rock.

"In spite of all my failings and shortcomings, she has always been there. I thank her for all she is to me and all she can be," he said.

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.