Many people in South Alabama know Joe Richburg from his television commercials hyping J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop, known for many years as the “home of the mechanickin’ dog.”

But people in Opp know him as a hardworking man who loves his hometown and shares his time and talents with many good causes. In May, the Opp Area Chamber of Commerce will recognize those contributions when it honors him with the 2018 Spirit of Opportunity Award.

Richburg has served on the Opp and Covington County Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as a director and president. He serves as a board member with the Farmer’s Cooperative Market and Opp Utilities Board, and is active in the Covington County Cattlemen’s Association.

Each year, he lends his support to the Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo, Scarecrows in the Park, and helping local families in need during the Christmas season.

He has a weekday radio show on WAMI, and leads a weekly devotional at Crossover Ministries. He is a member of Westview Baptist Church, and said the one activity he holds “near to his heart” is the Thursday Prayer Meeting at Opp City Hall, where he said he prays for the town’s future and for goodwill to surround Opp’s citizens.

Richburg started J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop with his dad, Troy Richburg, as a part-time repair business in 1986. As the customer base grew, it became a fulltime business in 1998, and now employs 22 people. He also raises cattle with his father and father-in-law.

He and his wife, Kelli Smith Richburg, enjoy farm life with their livestock, and riding horses.

Richburg said he is most humbled and proud of the trust and continuous support shown by the Opp community.