Salisbury, MD — Gillis Gilkerson Founder, Palmer Gillis, was recently presented with the 2023 Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame award. The 2023 Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce and Wicomico County Tourism Annual Awards Luncheon, held on October 26th, boasted nearly 200 attendees. Each year, the awards luncheon acknowledges a variety of honorees for individual and professional achievements, however the Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for exceptional cases. Recognizing the remarkable 40-year journey of Gillis Gilkerson in the business realm, the chamber found it fitting to confer the prestigious Hall of Fame honor upon Palmer Gillis in the same celebratory year.
The Hall of Fame award acknowledges an individual who has exhibited a history of career achievement, a sustained commitment to the advancement of the region through unselfish leadership, a commitment to making a difference and unparalleled professionalism among their peers. Palmer accepted the award from Maurice Ames, Executive Director for Maryland Capital Enterprises, an organization for which Palmer has a long history of fervent support. Community-minded with a passion for economic development, downtown development, and the preservation of historic structures; Palmer has devoted much of his time and efforts to local community boards such as the Salisbury Wicomico Chamber of Commerce, the TidalHealth Foundation, Salisbury University Foundation, Greater Salisbury Committee, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development, Salisbury Wicomico Planning and Zoning, and the Downtown Salisbury Committee, just to name a few.
“This community and its leaders made it possible for Gillis Gilkerson to succeed,” Gillis said as he accepted the award. “Having leaders who all pull in the same direction is what makes a community succeed.”
A graduate of James M. Bennet High School and Salisbury University, Palmer Gillis drafted a business plan in the back of his Printing Plus office in Downtown Salisbury in 1983 that would become Gillis Builders, and soon broke ground on its first projects in Ocean City, MD. Gillis emphasizes that immediately upon obtaining his business license, his inaugural order of business was to become a member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. Over 40 years and more than 2,000 major construction projects, Mr. Gillis, his partners, and team members transformed a small commercial construction firm into one of the largest, most versatile full-service general contractors on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Over the years, Palmers official role has changed from President to CEO, Principal and now Founder, but he has remained actively involved in many of the projects the company pursues.
About Gillis Gilkerson
As award-winning Gillis Gilkerson celebrates its 40th year in business on Delmarva, the firm has established a reputation as one of the most trusted and stable construction management, general contracting, and real estate development firms on the Peninsula. The team offers a broad and deep understanding of all commercial asset types, including medical, general office, industrial, hospitality, mercantile, restaurants, retail and more. As a collective of creative problem solvers, Gillis Gilkerson is capable of stepping beyond the call of duty of traditional contractor to assist with more in-depth development tasks, including land purchase, building program development and turnkey project and property management. The team works in conjunction with architects, government planners, engineers, surveyors, inspectors, and leasing agents to manage the process of both development and construction from concept to completion.
