Excellence in Business Awards presented
The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce presented the annual Excellence in Business Awards at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge on Thursday, May 24, 2007. 400 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 Rabbi Earl Grollman, DHL, DD. Cambridge Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves then delivered greetings from the City, saying, “I hope you value the Chamber as much as I do.”
CCC President Kelly Thompson Clark moderated another game of “Trivial Pursuit: Chamber Edition,” reprised from last year based on popular demand. This year’s edition, Volume 84, focused on the CCC’s partnerships. Audience members were asked questions and awarded prizes for correct answers, including Shop Cambridge First gift certificates and a year of free Chamber events.
Kelly then presented the Ambassador of the Year Award to a stunned Jenny Willig of Jules Catering. Jenny was selected by the Chamber staff and Ambassador Committee as the recipient of this award in recognition of her involvement and support of the CCC. “We’re sort of on the Cambridge-Somerville line and we try to scooch ourselves toward Cambridge every day,” said Jenny.
CCC Board member Bill Zamparelli of NSTAR introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, Douglas Foy, consultant to the Cambridge Energy Alliance and President of DIF Enterprises. Doug Foy spoke about the role of cities in addressing global climate change and the importance of the leadership of the business community, especially chambers of commerce, in improving energy performance. He spoke about weaving together housing, environment, transportation and energy and gave examples of easy things that can be done to reduce energy use, such as replacing old window air conditioners and putting switches on water heaters to turn them off when people are not home during the day.
Doug said that being located in a city is critical to efficiency, since employees can take public transportation to work and walk to lunch. Tall, compact buildings will always be more energy efficient than the sprawling model of the suburbs. This has a serious impact on our future competitiveness, as China is moving 500 million people into cities and betting their future on becoming more efficient than the US. Doug said that his favorite environmental goal is that “Every child should be able to walk to a library.”
Following the keynote, six awards were presented to exemplary Chamber members. CCC Board member Ann Stanesa of Genzyme Corporation presented the New Member of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards. CCC Board member Michael O’Connell of Mount Auburn Hospital awarded the Nonprofit of the Year and Leading Edge awards. Robyn Bell of the Cambridge Office for Tourism, also a CCC Board member, awarded the Corporate Citizen of the Year. Finally, Susan Lapierre of East Cambridge Savings Bank, winner of last year’s Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year award, presented this award to this year’s recipient.
The following awards were presented to Chamber member companies and individuals:
New Member of the Year—Joseph W. Mahoney of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
This award, recognizing a business or individual new to the CCC who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the Chamber and the community, was presented to Joseph W. Mahoney of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Joe paraphrased a Greek philosopher in his acceptance speech, saying, “Every great teacher brings out the best in the student.” He recognized two great teachers, his wife of 35 years and CCC President Kelly Thompson Clark, who was once a teacher. Surveillance Specialties, Ltd. and Robinson & Cole LLP were the other finalists in this category.
Small Business of the Year—Lumen Eclipse
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 Lumen Eclipse, a media design studio specializing in graphic communications via print, video and Web. In accepting the award, Lumen Eclipse Partner Rory Keohane said, “Thanks for making our business still be here today.” Didriks and Professional Ambulance Service were also finalists for this award.
Nonprofit of the Year—Just-A-Start Corporation
This award, which recognizes a Cambridge-area nonprofit organization that demonstrates superior performance, quality and consistency in the pursuit of its mission, was presented to Just-A-Start Corporation. Just-A-Start Corporation, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit community development corporation that focuses on affordable housing and continuing education. Especially exemplary is their Biomedical Careers Program for underemployed adults. Executive Director Gordon Gottsche said, “It takes affordable housing and training & education that is affordable to sustain the labor force.” The other finalists in the category of Nonprofit of the Year were Cambridge Cares About AIDS and Food For Free Committee, Inc.
The Leading Edge—Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. was honored with the Leading Edge award, which recognizes a business that demonstrates leadership and innovation in the technology/life sciences industries. In accepting the award, Vice President of Public & Employee Communication Kathleen Granchelli noted that in addition to their defense work for the government, Draper is also involved in the field of biomedical engineering and very interested in energy initiatives. Akamai Technologies, Inc. and Pfizer Research Technology Center were the other finalists in this category.
Corporate Citizen of the Year—Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research
The Corporate Citizen of the Year award was presented to Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, treat disease and improve well-being. Novartis is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where they have facilities around the world. Director of External & Government Relations Jeffrey Lockwood accepted the award on behalf of Novartis. “We’re a Swiss company so we’re very cognizant of being on time so I’ll keep it brief,” he joked. Novartis edged out Camp Dresser & McKee Inc and Comcast for this award.
Carl F. Barron Business Person of the Year—Mary-Catherine Deibel and Deborah Hughes of UpStairs on the Square
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. Mary-Catherine Deibel and Deborah Hughes of UpStairs on the Square were honored for their dedication to the Cambridge community. Mary-Catherine said, “We are so happy to get this award!” adding that she and Deborah celebrate their 25th year in business together this year. “When we made the decision to stay in Cambridge [after UpStairs at the Pudding closed], we did it with great enthusiasm!” Also nominated for this distinction were Richard Carbone of the Inn at Harvard and Margaret M. Keady of Cambridge Savings Bank.
The evening concluded with a dessert buffet by our hosts the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Cambridge Trust Company, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, and media sponsor Boston Business Journal. Flower arrangements were courtesy of David Levine, Central Square Florist; crystal awards provided by Sandor Goldstein, Adventures in Advertising; and photography by David Fox, Photographer, www.davidfoxphotgrapher.com.
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