Excellence in Business Awards presented
The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce presented the annual Excellence in Business Awards at a sold-out event at the Charles Hotel on Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Over 300 business representatives gathered to celebrate achievements and community involvement by Cambridge-area businesses.
Following a festive cocktail hour, the formal portion of the evening began with a brief introduction by CCC Board Chair Neal Mizner of Metropolitan Moving & Storage Corp. and an invocation by Sister Mary Mark of the Sancta Maria Nursing Facility.
Cambridge Mayor Michael A. Sullivan delivered greeting from the City and introduced his colleagues in attendance: Vice Mayor Marjorie Decker and City Councillors Anthony Galluccio and David Maher. He also recognized the city management present: Deputy City Manager Richard Rossi, City Assessor Faith McDonald, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Beth Rubenstein and Director of Economic Development Estella Johnson. Mayor Sullivan thanked the Chamber staff for their efforts toward strengthening the business community.
CCC President Kelly Thompson Clark gave an overview of the Chamber’s activities in the past year, taking the opportunity to “share with you what your Chamber has accomplished and will continue to do to ensure that your membership investment is realized.”
Following her speech, Kelly acknowledged two Board members for their service to the CCC, Brenda Morris, the outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors, and James C. Hawkins, a longtime Board member. Kelly then presented the Ambassador of the Year Award to a very surprised KC Commoss of Payrolls Plus Inc. KC was selected by the Chamber staff and Ambassador Committee as the recipient of this award in recognition of his involvement and support of the CCC.
After a delicious dinner, Chair of the CCC Board Neal Mizner introduced the evening’s keynote, Mike Dee, Chief Operating Officer of the Boston Red Sox. He joked that Dee is a Board member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and while they aren’t exactly the Evil Empire, Dee should join the best chamber of commerce, the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
Mike Dee said that he accepted Neal’s invitation and the Boston Red Sox would love to become members of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. He then saluted the CCC for a great 2004, adding that the Red Sox had a pretty good year as well. As a relative newcomer to the team, he spoke of the 2003 season as a “crash course in 86 years of frustration,” and then joked about bringing the Rolling Stones to Fenway because they are a team older than the Yankees.
Dee spoke about the Red Sox Foundation, their relationship with the Jimmy Fund and their desire to play a role in making Boston and New England a better place. He talked about the renovations to Fenway Park and the decision to keep the ballpark as the home to the Red Sox for the next three to four generations of fans. He then opened up the floor for questions and comments and then, based on their quality, awarded various prizes, such as signed balls and jerseys. Questions ranged from who Dee’s favorite player is (Tim Wakefield) to when Johnny Damon is going to cut his hair. (You’ve seen the Dunkin’ Donuts commercials—the secret’s out!) Dee concluded by saying, “You can’t have a great team without a great corporate community. We look forward to seeing you at Fenway Park!”
Following Dee’s keynote, six awards were presented to exemplary Chamber members. CCC Clerk Kathleen Granchelli of Draper Laboratory presented the New Member of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards. CCC Board member Ronald Walker of Sovereign Bank awarded the Nonprofit of the Year and Leading Edge awards. CCC Board member Jeff Lockwood of Novartis Institutes of BioMedical Research awarded the Corporate Citizen of the Year. Finally, Larry O’Toole of Gentle Giant Moving & Storage, winner of last year’s Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year award, presented this award to this year’s recipient.
New Member of the Year—Burns & Levinson
This award, recognizing a business or individual new to the CCC who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the Chamber and the community, was presented to Burns & Levinson, LLP. Burns & Levinson LLP is a Boston-based regional law firm focused on middle-market businesses (both private and public), emerging and family-held companies, and individuals. The award was accepted with a short acceptance speech by Partners Andrew Merken and Renee Inomata, who joked that even though they are lawyers, they’d keep their comments brief. Business Systems Consultants, Inc. and Cusp Development were the other finalists in this category.
Small Business of the Year—University Stationery
The Small Business of the Year award honors a company with fewer than fifty employees that demonstrates excellence and professionalism in its industry. This award was presented to University Stationery, founded in 1929 and one of the few remaining independent stationers. In accepting the award, owners brother and sister Barry and Gail Seidman remarked that their parents would have been very happy to have been there. Payrolls Plus Inc. and Square Peg Marketing Communications & Design were also finalists for this award.
Nonprofit of the Year—Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Boston Unit
This new award, which recognizes a Cambridge-area nonprofit organization that demonstrates superior performance, quality and consistency in the pursuit of its mission, was presented to Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D). RFB&D produces and provides recorded textbooks to students who have visual, learning or physical disabilities and are unable to use standard print. Executive Director Christina Raimo thanked the CCC and the City of Cambridge for the acknowledgment. The other finalists in the category of Nonprofit of the Year were Bread & Jams, Inc. and the Community Dispute Settlement Center, Inc.
The Leading Edge—Wyeth Research
Wyeth Research was honored with the Leading Edge award, which recognizes a business that demonstrates leadership and innovation in the technology/life sciences industries. Wyeth has a long history of pioneering developments in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology with leading products in a wide range of therapeutic areas. The company’s research division has unique discovery and developmental platforms encompassing pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biotechnology. Dr. Dee F. Allen and Matthew Powers accepted the award on behalf of Wyeth, thanking the City and the Chamber for helping them grow in such a rich and vibrant high tech community and stating their pride at being an active member of this community. Aventis Pharmacueticals, Inc. and Idenix Pharmacueticals, Inc. were the other finalists in this category.
Corporate Citizen of the Year—Cambridge Savings Bank
The Corporate Citizen of the Year award was presented to Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB), one of the oldest and largest community banks in Massachusetts. CSB is headquartered in Harvard Square and has 15 Banking Centers, offering a full line of individual and business banking services. Executive Vice President Robert Wilson accepted the award for Cambridge Savings Bank, exclaiming, “What an honor!” He emphasized that the values and traditions that the event recognizes are something that the bank lives every day. CSB edged out Harvard University and Quest Diagnostics, Inc. for this award.
Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year—George R. Metzger of HMFH Architects, Inc.
Named after Carl F. Barron of Putnam Furniture Leasing in 2000 to celebrate his 60 years in business and as a Chamber member, the Business Person of the Year award honors an individual who demonstrates professional excellence and outstanding leadership in the community. George R. Metzger, president and one of five principals of HMFH Architects, Inc., was honored for his interest in community building and commitment to civic responsibilities. George has been with HMFH for 34 years and is in charge of Cambridge projects, directs the firm’s marketing and business development and represents the firm in interactions with the Cambridge business community. In receiving the award, George said, “I want to share this award with all of you, because I think it’s something that no one can do by themselves.” He encouraged everyone who is “younger than me” to be inspired and get involved in their community. Also nominated for this distinction were C. Brendan Noonan of C. Brendan Noonan & Company, Inc. and Gayle Sinclair of Best Western Hotel Tria.
The evening concluded with a fabulous dessert buffet by our hosts the Charles Hotel. Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: lead sponsor Sovereign Bank, contributing sponsors Cambridge Trust Company, Genzyme and Wyeth Research, and media sponsor Boston Business Journal. In addition, we would like to note that flower arrangements were courtesy of David Levine, Central Square Florist; crystal awards provided by Sandor Goldstein, Adventures in Advertising; and photography provided by Cole Bellamy, David Fox Photography.
View photos from the Excellence in Business Awards.
To order photos, visit www.davidfoxphotographer.com/ccoc and click on ccoc. Print orders can be placed at orders@davidfoxphotographer.com or call (617) 734-6240.
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