Ben Navarro was recognized on May 6 with the Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award during the 2026 Honors, an event that celebrated leadership and community impact in the Charleston region.
The ceremony highlighted six award recipients for their ongoing influence in shaping Charleston. The evening concluded with a tribute to Navarro, whose work and partnerships were featured in a video including remarks from U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Tamil Goodson of Meeting Street Academy, Dr. David J. Cole of MUSC, George D. Johnson of Johnson Development Associates, and President Andrew T. Hsu of the College of Charleston.
Tim Heichelbech of Choate Construction shared his experience working alongside Navarro before inviting him to accept the award on stage. In his acceptance speech, Navarro said that what makes Charleston strong is “a shared commitment to citizenship.” He reflected on his family’s arrival nearly two decades ago and credited those who welcomed them as examples for others to follow.
Navarro called for continued progress through respect and responsibility rather than complete agreement on every issue: “Progress does not require agreement on every issue, but it does require a willingness to lead with respect, responsibility and a commitment to the community.”
According to the official website, Bryan Derreberry serves as president and chief executive officer of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce; the organization supports talent development initiatives, advocates for business growth across Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, offers networking opportunities and educational programs for its members, drives economic prosperity through advocacy efforts and celebrates its status as the nation’s oldest city chamber.
A video capturing highlights from this year’s Honors is available online for those who could not attend.
