Chamber honors local small business leaders
COVENTRY – Commerce Chenango honored six local businesses for their contributions to the Chenango County community at their 2009 Annual Salute to Small Business Dinner, held Tuesday night at the Silo Restaurant in Coventry.
Those recognized were this year’s recipients of the Small Business Gems, Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business Manufacturer of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards.
“This is a great celebration tonight,” said Commerce Chenango Chairman Bruce Erath, who said it was businesses like those being honored that make this area a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
“Chenango County is very fortunate to have many small businesses that help to drive our economy and make this a place we are all proud to live and work,” said Maureen Carpenter, President and CEO of Commerce Chenango.
2009 Small Business Gems
Carpenter’s organization selects three such businesses each year to receive the prestigious Small Business Gem award. This year, the honor was awarded to Dr. Lawrence Rosenblum of Central Diagnostic Imaging, Dave Cirello of Fred’s Inn and Jeff Webster of White House Cabinet Shop.
“These Gems manage their organizations with pride and achieve success in different ways,” explained Carpenter. “They contribute to our economy in a quiet way, but are valuable to what makes our county special.
Each of these Gems has something unique, which sets them apart and makes them highly prized in the community, the chamber executive said. In the case of the night’s first award recipient, it is their commitment to patient care, their professionalism and their use of leading edge technology which makes the difference, according to Carpenter.
“When you enter Central Diagnostic Imaging in Norwich, you are immediately struck by how different it is from any other medical facility you have ever been in,” she said.
Founded in 1985, as a mobile CT service, the practice has transformed and grown throughout its 24-year history into an independent medical imaging center offering an array of radiology services.
“Despite the challenging healthcare environment, partners Dr. Rosenblum and Dr. Janet Martin and Operations Manager Leslie Dopkeen, have emphasized the importance of respect to patients, and prompt, courteous and professional service,” Carpenter said.
The second Small Business Gem was awarded to Fred’s Inn and accepted by Dave Cirello.
Carpenter commended the Cirello family on their innovation and success since they purchased the restaurant in 1977.
“Through the years, the Cirellos have continued to expand their services as well as their lodging capabilities,” Carpenter said. At both Fred’s Inn and their new establishment, Park Place, “they continue to maintain the customer service aspect of everything they do and believe that every little thing makes a difference.”
“I would really like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the years,” said Cirello, who works alongside his father Chick in the family business. “On behalf of Fred’s, thank you.”
Jeff Webster accepted the Small Business Gem award on behalf of the White House Cabinet Shop. The family-owned business, located in Sherburne, has been designing and fabricating custom woodwork and furnishings for more than 30 years. Founded by Bruce Webster, his two sons now “continue the family tradition,” Carpenter said.
Their use of quality woods, modern finishing techniques and attention to detail has led to many satisfied customers, according to the chamber executive, who added that the company’s growth over the years is largely attributed to word-of-mouth marketing.
One of those satisfied customers is Amy Hurta of NBT Bank, for whom the Websters renovated a 150-year old house in Hamilton.
“It isn’t easy making an addition to a house built in the mid-1800s look like it’s always been there, but that’s exactly what Jeff, Mike, Kyle and Josh did,” Hurta said. “... (They) were able to seamlessly blend old with new so that friends question where the older portions of the house end and the new ones begin.”
And the Sammy goes to ...
“Our Entrepreneur of the Year award was created to recognize the strong entrepreneurial spirit in Chenango County,” Carpenter explained. The annual award was first created to honor Sam Golden, founder of Golden Artist Colors. The plaque awarded to each year’s recipient features a likeness of Golden.
This year’s Sammy, as it is affectionately known, was awarded to Enzo Olivieri of Nathanael Greene’s Publick House and Hilltop Building and Construction, LLC.
“An entrepreneur is an individual who efficiently and effectively combines labor, capital, intelligence, knowledge and creativity,” said Carpenter. Olivieri, she explained, exhibits all of these talents.
Italian by birth, Olivieri grew up in New Jersey. He and his wife Irene purchased property in Greene in 1990, which was a seasonal residence until 2006 when the family relocated permanently to Chenango County.
That same year, they opened Nathanael Greene’s Publick House, a family restaurant and pub located on Genesee Street in Greene.
“They didn’t stop there,” Carpenter said, describing how the couple also opened Hilltop Building and Construction. They also own several commercial properties, including the buildings which house the Family Dollar, Greene Fitness and Tony T’s.
She commended the Greene resident not only on his business acumen, but also on his community involvement with organizations such as the Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Recreation as well as his role in organizing Greene’s Hometown Holiday Weekend and the bi-weekly Cruise Ins which draw large crowds throughout the summer.
Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
“For a rural county, Chenango County is very fortunate to have a significant presence of manufacturing firms,” said Carpenter. “These small manufacturers not only contribute to our local economy through job creation and local procurement, but often they contribute to other industries.”
This year’s Small Business Manufacturer of the Year is Mid-York Press, the Sherburne-based printing company which specializes in packaging for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. According to Carpenter, the family operated company traces its roots back to the 1820s, when Hamilton’s first newspaper was formed. In 1946, the business was incorporated as The Mid-York Press, when it acquired Norwich Pharmacal’s printing equipment.
“From this humble beginning, the company has grown into a multi-million dollar company with over 80 employees,” said Carpenter. The current president and CEO, Bob Tenney, represents the fourth generation of his family to run the business.
Upon accepting the award, Tenney spoke about the history of Mid-York and the challenges it endured over the years. He acknowledged the chamber for the assistance they have provided during that time, which has enabled the company to continue to grow and make capital investments in their business.
Tenney attributed much of Mid-York’s success to its dedicated employees.
“They have never let me down,” he said.
Small Business of the Year
“The Small Business of the Year recipient has a substantiated history as an established business,” explained Carpenter, explaining the criteria used to select the winner of this annual award. “This year’s recipient, Mang Insurance, has more than exceeded this criteria.”
“Mang is proud of their history, and of the values that a long tradition of service has instilled in the agency,” Carpenter said, as she described how the company had grown through acquisitions from its start as the Tomas C. Sprague Agency in 1894 into its current existence as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBT Bancorp with a total of 21 branches and 125 employees throughout 11 counties.
The chamber executive commended Mang for continued support of the community,
“Mang has supported the Chamber for over 50 years and has always encouraged their employees to be active participants in their own communities,” Carpenter said. Organizations and events they support include, the Chenango County Council of the Arts, SPCA, Dollars for Scholars, the Pumpkin Festival, Colorscape and Gus Macker.
“In insurance, we’re always looking for an opportunity to sell,” said Mirabito, who paused for a moment before continuing. “But tonight we’re just going to say thank you.”
In addition to the Commerce Chenango awards, recipients also received commendations from Assemblyman Clifford Crouch’s office and City of Norwich Mayor Joe Maiurano.
The 2009 Salute to Small Business dinner was made possible by the event’s corporate sponsors, NBT Bank and Mang Insurance, and by contributing sponsors Frontier, Golden Artist Colors and The Silo Restaurant.
Those recognized were this year’s recipients of the Small Business Gems, Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business Manufacturer of the Year and Small Business of the Year awards.
“This is a great celebration tonight,” said Commerce Chenango Chairman Bruce Erath, who said it was businesses like those being honored that make this area a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
“Chenango County is very fortunate to have many small businesses that help to drive our economy and make this a place we are all proud to live and work,” said Maureen Carpenter, President and CEO of Commerce Chenango.
2009 Small Business Gems
Carpenter’s organization selects three such businesses each year to receive the prestigious Small Business Gem award. This year, the honor was awarded to Dr. Lawrence Rosenblum of Central Diagnostic Imaging, Dave Cirello of Fred’s Inn and Jeff Webster of White House Cabinet Shop.
“These Gems manage their organizations with pride and achieve success in different ways,” explained Carpenter. “They contribute to our economy in a quiet way, but are valuable to what makes our county special.
Each of these Gems has something unique, which sets them apart and makes them highly prized in the community, the chamber executive said. In the case of the night’s first award recipient, it is their commitment to patient care, their professionalism and their use of leading edge technology which makes the difference, according to Carpenter.
“When you enter Central Diagnostic Imaging in Norwich, you are immediately struck by how different it is from any other medical facility you have ever been in,” she said.
Founded in 1985, as a mobile CT service, the practice has transformed and grown throughout its 24-year history into an independent medical imaging center offering an array of radiology services.
“Despite the challenging healthcare environment, partners Dr. Rosenblum and Dr. Janet Martin and Operations Manager Leslie Dopkeen, have emphasized the importance of respect to patients, and prompt, courteous and professional service,” Carpenter said.
The second Small Business Gem was awarded to Fred’s Inn and accepted by Dave Cirello.
Carpenter commended the Cirello family on their innovation and success since they purchased the restaurant in 1977.
“Through the years, the Cirellos have continued to expand their services as well as their lodging capabilities,” Carpenter said. At both Fred’s Inn and their new establishment, Park Place, “they continue to maintain the customer service aspect of everything they do and believe that every little thing makes a difference.”
“I would really like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the years,” said Cirello, who works alongside his father Chick in the family business. “On behalf of Fred’s, thank you.”
Jeff Webster accepted the Small Business Gem award on behalf of the White House Cabinet Shop. The family-owned business, located in Sherburne, has been designing and fabricating custom woodwork and furnishings for more than 30 years. Founded by Bruce Webster, his two sons now “continue the family tradition,” Carpenter said.
Their use of quality woods, modern finishing techniques and attention to detail has led to many satisfied customers, according to the chamber executive, who added that the company’s growth over the years is largely attributed to word-of-mouth marketing.
One of those satisfied customers is Amy Hurta of NBT Bank, for whom the Websters renovated a 150-year old house in Hamilton.
“It isn’t easy making an addition to a house built in the mid-1800s look like it’s always been there, but that’s exactly what Jeff, Mike, Kyle and Josh did,” Hurta said. “... (They) were able to seamlessly blend old with new so that friends question where the older portions of the house end and the new ones begin.”
And the Sammy goes to ...
“Our Entrepreneur of the Year award was created to recognize the strong entrepreneurial spirit in Chenango County,” Carpenter explained. The annual award was first created to honor Sam Golden, founder of Golden Artist Colors. The plaque awarded to each year’s recipient features a likeness of Golden.
This year’s Sammy, as it is affectionately known, was awarded to Enzo Olivieri of Nathanael Greene’s Publick House and Hilltop Building and Construction, LLC.
“An entrepreneur is an individual who efficiently and effectively combines labor, capital, intelligence, knowledge and creativity,” said Carpenter. Olivieri, she explained, exhibits all of these talents.
Italian by birth, Olivieri grew up in New Jersey. He and his wife Irene purchased property in Greene in 1990, which was a seasonal residence until 2006 when the family relocated permanently to Chenango County.
That same year, they opened Nathanael Greene’s Publick House, a family restaurant and pub located on Genesee Street in Greene.
“They didn’t stop there,” Carpenter said, describing how the couple also opened Hilltop Building and Construction. They also own several commercial properties, including the buildings which house the Family Dollar, Greene Fitness and Tony T’s.
She commended the Greene resident not only on his business acumen, but also on his community involvement with organizations such as the Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Recreation as well as his role in organizing Greene’s Hometown Holiday Weekend and the bi-weekly Cruise Ins which draw large crowds throughout the summer.
Small Business Manufacturer of the Year
“For a rural county, Chenango County is very fortunate to have a significant presence of manufacturing firms,” said Carpenter. “These small manufacturers not only contribute to our local economy through job creation and local procurement, but often they contribute to other industries.”
This year’s Small Business Manufacturer of the Year is Mid-York Press, the Sherburne-based printing company which specializes in packaging for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. According to Carpenter, the family operated company traces its roots back to the 1820s, when Hamilton’s first newspaper was formed. In 1946, the business was incorporated as The Mid-York Press, when it acquired Norwich Pharmacal’s printing equipment.
“From this humble beginning, the company has grown into a multi-million dollar company with over 80 employees,” said Carpenter. The current president and CEO, Bob Tenney, represents the fourth generation of his family to run the business.
Upon accepting the award, Tenney spoke about the history of Mid-York and the challenges it endured over the years. He acknowledged the chamber for the assistance they have provided during that time, which has enabled the company to continue to grow and make capital investments in their business.
Tenney attributed much of Mid-York’s success to its dedicated employees.
“They have never let me down,” he said.
Small Business of the Year
“The Small Business of the Year recipient has a substantiated history as an established business,” explained Carpenter, explaining the criteria used to select the winner of this annual award. “This year’s recipient, Mang Insurance, has more than exceeded this criteria.”
“Mang is proud of their history, and of the values that a long tradition of service has instilled in the agency,” Carpenter said, as she described how the company had grown through acquisitions from its start as the Tomas C. Sprague Agency in 1894 into its current existence as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBT Bancorp with a total of 21 branches and 125 employees throughout 11 counties.
The chamber executive commended Mang for continued support of the community,
“Mang has supported the Chamber for over 50 years and has always encouraged their employees to be active participants in their own communities,” Carpenter said. Organizations and events they support include, the Chenango County Council of the Arts, SPCA, Dollars for Scholars, the Pumpkin Festival, Colorscape and Gus Macker.
“In insurance, we’re always looking for an opportunity to sell,” said Mirabito, who paused for a moment before continuing. “But tonight we’re just going to say thank you.”
In addition to the Commerce Chenango awards, recipients also received commendations from Assemblyman Clifford Crouch’s office and City of Norwich Mayor Joe Maiurano.
The 2009 Salute to Small Business dinner was made possible by the event’s corporate sponsors, NBT Bank and Mang Insurance, and by contributing sponsors Frontier, Golden Artist Colors and The Silo Restaurant.
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