COVENTRY – Commerce Chenango recognized a community member and a local business for their contributions to the Chenango County community Wednesday night at their 52nd Annual Dinner, held at the Silo Restaurant in Coventry. The event was sponsored by NBT Bank and Frontier.
Those recognized were this year’s recipient of the Commitment to Community award, David Burrell, and Distinguished Business of the Year, Sidney Federal Credit Union.
Presented first was the Commitment to Community Award.
“This award is given annually to an individual who has shown significant commitment to our community through their leadership and individual contributions,” explained Maureen Carpenter, president of Commerce Chenango.
According to Carpenter, Burrell has made an impact on the community both as an entrepreneur and a volunteer. He’s made a difference in the lives of area residents and visitors alike, she explained, through his involvement in events such as Pumpkin Fest and the Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament as well as organizations like Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County and the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID).
According to New York Pizzeria owner Frank Baio, whom Carpenter quoted, Burrell is known for his “legendary” work ethic and his ability to get things done, as well as his “big heart.”
“Many things that Dave has given his time and talent to will never be recognized because he doesn’t do it for attention; he does it because he believes it is the right thing to do,” Baio said, adding that it was an honor to be his friend.
Burrell is also known for his tendency to volunteer his friends, his reputation as a practical joker and his ability to “talk the ear off a brass monkey,” Carpenter laughed before returning to a more serious note.
“He is unquestionably an individual that continues to improve Chenango County’s quality of life. We are privileged to have him as part of our community,” she said.
Burrell briefly took the podium after receiving his plaque.
“I’d like to thank everyone here tonight for this award,” he said, explaining his take on giving back to the community he calls home. He says it is the message he always give his staff when he asks them to donate their time to a worthy cause.
“What you put in is what you get out,” the local business owner said. Chenango County has been good to his business, he reported. “I look to put back in as much as I can.”
Also recognized during the dinner was SFCU, which was named Distinguished Business of the Year.
“Often we take for granted the corporate leaders that call Chenango County home and the value of their continued investments in our economy,” explained Carpenter. According to the chamber executive, SFCU, with its “62 years of innovation, leadership and reliability” is one of these assets.
Carpenter detailed the growth of the financial institution from its founding in 1949 as a credit union for employees of Scintilla Magneto Corporation (which later became Bendix). Initially, she explained, the new entity served only employees and their families and was run from the work bench of Henry Doi, one of the company employees who helped secure the organization’s charter. It wasn’t until 1951 that the credit union’s operations were moved to a separate location, on Main Street in Sidney. It remained there until 1958, when it relocated to Union Street. The headquarters remain at that site, although they are now housed in a newly constructed 28,000 square foot state-of-the-art, environmentally-friendly building.
SFCU has expanded both its territory and its scope since those early days.
“They currently have over 46,000 members and offer financial services from eight locations to those who live and work in Otsego, Chenango or Delaware Counties and the Town of Colesville,” Carpenter reported.
According to the chamber president, SFCU has a strong focus on community and more than 90 organizations benefit from the time, talents and generosity of their staff.
“A good share of their 160 employees are involved in many local events and fund raisers, and the company contributes to yearly non-profit functions,” she said.
SFCU President and CEO Jim Doig accepted the award on behalf of the company. He thanked the credit union’s employees, board of directors and advisory committee, members and the community – explaining that each of these stakeholder groups has played and continues to play an important role in the organization’s growth and success.
He encouraged all those in attendance to help maintain the vibrancy of the community by getting personally involved.
“If we want to avoid that downward spiral ... we must all participate,” he said, adding his belief that “standing still is falling behind.”
Carpenter also recognized outgoing Commerce Chenango board member Chris Taft for his years of service to the organization. Taft, who is president and CEO of Preferred Mutual Insurance, has held a seat on the board since 2003.