The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the recipients of their prestigious Chamber Business Awards, which will be presented at their annual meeting and awards dinner on Friday, January 29, 2010. “This event is a wonderful way to recognize the business community and individuals who work hard to make Montgomery County successful,” states Chamber President, Deborah Auspelmyer. “It is an event that applauds our community’s efforts and installs our new board of directors.”
The Thomas B. Constantino Entrepreneurial Award, which pays tribute to a company that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit by organizing, managing, and assuming the risks of building a business and persevering to see these efforts come to fruition; will be presented to June Czelusniak of June’s Hallmark.
June began her retail business of June’s Hallmark in 1972 with approximately 8 employees. Despite the challenges of not being able to obtain financing to start her business, construction on Rt. 30, and increased competition, June’s still serves as the gift shop anchor on the ever growing Rt. 30 corridor. She has overcome obstacles and stereotypes many women faced when wanting to start a business decades ago. June’s Hallmark started as a small retail shop, selling Yankee Candles and has grown to the point that it necessitated having to move to a larger location. She has expanded her line of products to include Allied Gifts, wind chimes, stained glass sun catchers, Hallmark ornaments and cards, and much, much more! She currently employs up to 12 people, depending on the season. June continually supports the community by making donations and allowing organizations to utilize her place of business to sell tickets for many community fundraising events.
“No one could have been more surprised than me to receive this award,” states June. “We’ve been involved in the community for over 40 years. Our customers have been so supportive, we’ve enjoyed meeting our customers and appreciate their business”.
Nominees also included Engines of Creation, Adirondack Fireplace Company, and Old Peddler’s Wagon.
The Herbert T. Singer Community Service Award, given to a person or persons who contribute to the betterment the community through their selfless dedication and service, will be presented to Anthony J. Centi of Crystal Ristorante.
Crystal Ristorante has been a foundation of the area’s business community for decades, Mr. Centi has been the owner/operator for 22 years, taking the reins of the business from his father, Gabriel. Mr. Centi donates his time, staff and place of business for a variety of community fundraisers on an annual basis. If there is an individual in need or facing a life-threatening or life-changing event, Mr. Centi is there offering his establishment to be used as a fundraiser to assist that individual or group. He had participated and assisted with the St. Jude’s telethon for years, assists local groups and youth sports organizations with fundraisers, and often has food brought to victims of fires and disasters as a small token of assistance. During Thanksgiving he donates turkeys to those in need. Mr. Centi also participated in modified sports team fundraiser for the AHS modified sports teams, donating everything to be able to assist our local youth to keep sports going for the year; as well as fundraisers to save Clara S. Bacon School. Mr. Centi received Centro Civico’s Business Corazon Award in 2008.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” states Mr. Centi. “To be selected among such a prestigious group of nominees is a humbling honor. I thank the selection committee for giving me the opportunity to accept this award”.
Nominees included: Olga Podmajersky, Dr. Mohammad R. Ghazi, Dr. Michael Sheridan, and Patricia Beck.
The recipient of the Edward L. Wilkinson Industry of the Year Award, which pays tribute to a business or industry that has made a positive contribution to the economic growth and well being of Montgomery County, is Target Corporation, Amsterdam Distribution Center.
Target is an upscale discount retailer with a focus on the high quality, on-trend merchandise that guests want, plus the everyday basics all families need at affordable prices. Target’s relationship with Montgomery County began nearly seven years ago when it purchased the distribution center site from K-mart and completed its construction. The distribution center officially opened in 2005 and currently employs over 600 full time team members supporting Target stores across the northeastern U.S. The award winning building is a key link in Target’s world class supply chain network processing up to a million cartons of merchandise each week. Target places a top priority on being an employer of choice by providing competitive wages, benefits and a positive culture to attract and retain the best team members. In keeping with Target’s long history of community giving, the building is active in its support of local community events.
“I am pleased and honored that the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce has chosen to recognize our team with this award,” states Cary Parno, General Manager. “We are fortunate to work in a community committed to creating opportunities for growth and community service. The key to our success has always been the dedication and commitment of our nearly seven hundred team members – I’m excited for them to be honored by the Chamber with this award.”
Nominees also included: Hannaford Brothers, Lowe’s, and Temper Corp.
The Chamber’s Agricultural Award will be presented to Sundae on the Farm.
Sundae on the Farm has been operating for several years within Montgomery County and the surrounding area. It is a collaboration of local ag producers, the Montgomery County Farm Bureau and numerous other organizations and volunteers that pull together to showcase agriculture within our communities. As a one-day event, Sundae on the Farm brings several thousand people to farms across Montgomery County, drawing families from across the region to learn about and experience agritourism first hand.
“I think it’s fantastic that Sundae on the Farm was considered for the Agricultural Award,” states Klaus Busch, Montgomery County field advisor with New York Farm Bureau. “The event brings together the agricultural community with the non-agricultural community. Considering the agricultural climate in the United States, it’s a very important event”.
Nominees included: Glenmare Farms, Sunshine Gardens, and Hudson River Tractor, Company.
The Young Professional Award, which recognizes a young professional whose commitment, enthusiasm, and positive energy have contributed to the betterment of Montgomery County, will be presented to Kenneth Rose, Montgomery County Economic Development Director.
Mr. Rose is currently the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Economic development and Planning as well as the Chief Executive Officer for the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency. As Director of the County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Mr. Rose’s responsibilities include running the Montgomery County Business Development Center, and the department’s Economic Development Program. The intent of the Business Development Center and Economic Development Program is to provide the business community a “one stop shop” for business development questions and assistance. The department’s current responsibilities include; the administration of the MCIDA, the administration and marketing of the Florida Business Park (which is home to the 1. 5 million sq. foot Target Distribution Center and 600,000 sq. ft. Hero/Beech Nut manufacturing and headquarter facility), Glen Canal View Business Park, administration of the $3.4 million Montgomery County Revolving Loan Fund, working with the Montgomery County Economic Development Consortium in an extensive retention and expansion program with current businesses in the County, and administration of the county’s Community Development program (HUD). Since beginning his position as the Montgomery County Economic Development Agency’s leader in 2006, Ken has spearheaded and overseen several key economic development projects come to fruition, overcoming a major flood, lawsuits and a statewide economic crisis. Under his direction, the Planning Department was re-established and several key countywide initiatives were stared including a mid-county waterfront revitalization project, countywide public transportation system and the beginning of a countywide comprehensive plan. Recent projects under Ken’s direction present a total capital investment of over $190 million and several hundred new and retained jobs in the county. Ken is a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and lives in Tribes Hill with his wife and two young children.
“While I’m humbled to be recognized by the business community in which we serve, this award and our accomplishments could not be possible without the full support of the many individuals within this community and especially the County Board of Supervisors, the MCIDA Board of Directors and the dedicated and hardworking staff of the Business Development Center,” states Mr. Rose.
Nominees for this award included Eric Mead of Mead Plumbing and Heating, Rebecca Persico of WCSS, and Julie Pierce of St. Mary’s Hospital.
Additionally, the Workforce Development Board, representing Montgomery County, will present their Business Partner of the Year Award to Mohawk Sign Systems, Inc. For the past six years, Mohawk’s leadership has worked cooperatively with the FMS Workforce Solutions Centers in obtaining and training quality employees. They are presently taking advantage of the Employed Worker Training Program incentives. This has saved on the cost of upgrading two employees as well as the expense of training on the new printer. In addition, Bettina has taken the time to be a presenter at our Business Connections in the Amsterdam Center. She has humorously given job seekers an opportunity to discover what the acceptable and appropriate behaviors are during a job search and interview.
In times when most employers are feeling pressured to lay off workers, Mohawk Sign Systems has maintained their workforce and continued to provide health insurance and 401K contributions for their employees. Year after year they continue to be consistent in their efforts to hire and train new workers, while maintaining a stable, steady and safe work environment for their employees.
Join The Chamber in honoring these recipients, Friday, January 29, at The RiverStone Manor, a Chamber Member, in Scotia. “This dinner typically has an attendance of 300 people, early reservations are encouraged,” continues Auspelmyer. “Being presented these prestigious awards with so many Chamber and business colleagues present is truly an honor.”
Sponsors for this year’s dinner include Fuccillo Automotive Group as the Premiere Event Sponsor; Rose & Kiernan as the platinum sponsor; Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors as the Awards Sponsor; Liberty as the Poster Sponsor and Miller Printing as the Program Booklet Sponsor.
For more information about the dinner, place an ad in the program booklet, or to make a reservation, please call The Chamber at 853-1800.