Boy Scouts honor Mark Golden as Citizen of the Year
NORWICH – In 1980 Mark Golden founded Golden Artists Colors.
Today, the company, based in Columbus, sells its products in over 60 countries. It employs 220 area residents as employee-owners with well paying jobs.
Over the last four decades, the company has drawn influences of art and culture from across the globe to Chenango County.
A symbol of this can be found just inside the company headquarters at 188 Bell Road, which features a public art gallery, often hosting both local and visiting professional artists.
In 1997 the artistic effect on the local community was further amplified when Golden, with others, founded the The Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts. The a not-for-profit charity, among many other things, has dedicated itself to promoting area art. It hosts renown artists' residencies in Columbus and funds many events and programs.
The Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America selected Golden as the 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his outstanding achievements in Chenango County and our local communities.
Golden's long-time personal assistant Lu Dick said he always treated everyone with a sense of friendly respect.
With half-joking disbelief, she recalled a memory of first coming to work for the company.
“I would go home and my husband would ask me about work. I'd say this guy I work for he's awfully kind, and passionate about his work, and what he does, and everyone around me is wonderful and welcoming. He lets me do what I want and make decisions on my own,” she said.
An early supporter of Golden Artists Color Inc., NBT representative Dave Theleman recalled his first impression of Mark Golden as he was sizing-up the company. He described him as an inspiring and idealistic leader, whose hard work and dedicated love of art, more than his love of accounting, had made Golden Artist Colors a success. Especially when it came to quality products and qualified employees.
He said as the company grew, in 1987 Golden went against the prevailing financial wind when he decided to make all employees part owners of the company, after only one year of successful profit.
He remembered asking Golden if he was sure about it. “He said we are going to run it like a family, and that was it.”
Theleman also said Golden had a leadership gift for selecting talented people to help him in his impossible-seeming goals. He included himself among them. He said Golden knew when to pass on certain tasks and recognized when others might know more about them.
Golden thanked his family, his employees and the Boy Scouts, joking they all deserved more recognition he probably did.
Speaking of the merit badges he remarked, “What comes with them? What is permanently etched in the heart and mind?,” said Golden. “I would be delighted to think all these laws become part of the person these scouts become.”
Golden is the 34th person to be awarded the Annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the scouts.
The event was co-chaired by past recipients Joseph Angelino and Neil Bartle. Bartle was the 2018 recipient of the award.
Mark was selected as the 1996 Small Business Person of the Year for NY and recognized by President Bill Clinton for his activities in creating a business exemplifying the spirit of Corporate Citizenship.
In 2006, Mark received an award from the American Institute for Conservation, recognizing his contributions to the art conservation field. In 2005, he received the NYFA 2005 Inspiration Award and was honored by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York with a 2005 Wall of Fame Award. In 2011, Inc. Magazine recognized Golden as one of the top 50 small businesses to work for. In 2012, Golden was recognized by Americans for the Arts as a top 10 contributor to the arts in the US. In 2014 Mark received an honorary Doctorate from Colgate University for his work in support of the local and international arts community. In March 2018, Mark was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Art Materials Association (NAMTA). In April 2019, Mark will be awarded the Center for Arts Education Champion of Arts Education Award for being a visionary in the field.
Pictured: Master of Ceremonies Bruce Erath and Eagle Scout Nathan Henry present Golden Artist Colors Founder Mark Golden with the 2019 Distinguished Citizen Award, on behalf of the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)
Today, the company, based in Columbus, sells its products in over 60 countries. It employs 220 area residents as employee-owners with well paying jobs.
Over the last four decades, the company has drawn influences of art and culture from across the globe to Chenango County.
A symbol of this can be found just inside the company headquarters at 188 Bell Road, which features a public art gallery, often hosting both local and visiting professional artists.
In 1997 the artistic effect on the local community was further amplified when Golden, with others, founded the The Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts. The a not-for-profit charity, among many other things, has dedicated itself to promoting area art. It hosts renown artists' residencies in Columbus and funds many events and programs.
The Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America selected Golden as the 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his outstanding achievements in Chenango County and our local communities.
Golden's long-time personal assistant Lu Dick said he always treated everyone with a sense of friendly respect.
With half-joking disbelief, she recalled a memory of first coming to work for the company.
“I would go home and my husband would ask me about work. I'd say this guy I work for he's awfully kind, and passionate about his work, and what he does, and everyone around me is wonderful and welcoming. He lets me do what I want and make decisions on my own,” she said.
An early supporter of Golden Artists Color Inc., NBT representative Dave Theleman recalled his first impression of Mark Golden as he was sizing-up the company. He described him as an inspiring and idealistic leader, whose hard work and dedicated love of art, more than his love of accounting, had made Golden Artist Colors a success. Especially when it came to quality products and qualified employees.
He said as the company grew, in 1987 Golden went against the prevailing financial wind when he decided to make all employees part owners of the company, after only one year of successful profit.
He remembered asking Golden if he was sure about it. “He said we are going to run it like a family, and that was it.”
Theleman also said Golden had a leadership gift for selecting talented people to help him in his impossible-seeming goals. He included himself among them. He said Golden knew when to pass on certain tasks and recognized when others might know more about them.
Golden thanked his family, his employees and the Boy Scouts, joking they all deserved more recognition he probably did.
Speaking of the merit badges he remarked, “What comes with them? What is permanently etched in the heart and mind?,” said Golden. “I would be delighted to think all these laws become part of the person these scouts become.”
Golden is the 34th person to be awarded the Annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the scouts.
The event was co-chaired by past recipients Joseph Angelino and Neil Bartle. Bartle was the 2018 recipient of the award.
Mark was selected as the 1996 Small Business Person of the Year for NY and recognized by President Bill Clinton for his activities in creating a business exemplifying the spirit of Corporate Citizenship.
In 2006, Mark received an award from the American Institute for Conservation, recognizing his contributions to the art conservation field. In 2005, he received the NYFA 2005 Inspiration Award and was honored by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York with a 2005 Wall of Fame Award. In 2011, Inc. Magazine recognized Golden as one of the top 50 small businesses to work for. In 2012, Golden was recognized by Americans for the Arts as a top 10 contributor to the arts in the US. In 2014 Mark received an honorary Doctorate from Colgate University for his work in support of the local and international arts community. In March 2018, Mark was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Art Materials Association (NAMTA). In April 2019, Mark will be awarded the Center for Arts Education Champion of Arts Education Award for being a visionary in the field.
Pictured: Master of Ceremonies Bruce Erath and Eagle Scout Nathan Henry present Golden Artist Colors Founder Mark Golden with the 2019 Distinguished Citizen Award, on behalf of the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America. (Photo by Tyler Murphy)
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