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 Award Winners
- Spring 2009
Al Andrews
Community Achievement Award
Philip C. Slocum, The Slocum
Agency, Inc.
Business of the Year
(company with 1-49 employees)
Flamand &
Associates
Business of the Year
(company
with 50+ employees)
Centreville Bank
Media
Person of the Year
Mark S. Murphy,
Editor, PBN - Providence Business News
Not-For-Profit Business of the Year
(company
with 1-49 employees)
Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership
Not-For-Profit Business of the Year
(company
with 50+ employees)
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Business & Education
Advocate of the Year
Rhode Island
Hospitality Education Foundation
Humanitarian of the
Year
Kent County YMCA
Young Entrepreneur
of the Year
Jason Pannone, ASP
Fire & Specialty Products Inc.
Volunteer of the Year
Earl M. Pearson
Chamber
Advocate
Brent Wyrostek,
Arrest-A-Pest
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joseph J. McGair, Esq.
Welcome to the
Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce’s April 2009 Rising Above the Rest
Awards. My name is Lauren Slocum, President of the Central Rhode Island Chamber
and I want to Thank You for joining us this morning to recognize some of the
most outstanding business leaders in Central Rhode Island.
Before I introduce this year’s master of ceremonies, I’d like to ask you all to
rise and join me in a moment of silence as we pay tribute to all those serving
in our armed forces, past and present. We appreciate the ultimate sacrifice that
has been made by so many U.S. men and women who lost their lives serving their
country or are listed as missing in action. We are eternally indebted.
It is now with great pleasure that I introduce this morning’s master of
ceremonies. This individual has been and continues to be a true leader in our
community. For many years he has dedicated his time, knowledge and expertise to
the Chamber and the local business community. Please join me in welcoming the
President of Thrifty Car Sales & Prestige Limousine, Tom Celona.
Tom Celona
I would like to offer my thanks to the Rising Above the Rest Nominating
Committee, which is comprised of past Chairs of the Board and members of the
Events Committee. They had the difficult task of choosing winners for each
category from the many very qualified candidates. This morning it gives us great
pleasure to honor the contributions made by all of these exceptional leaders. We
extend our sincerest congratulations to all!
In addition to their Rising Award, each winner will be presented with Citations
from Warwick’s Honorable Mayor Scott Avedisian, Congressman James Langevin,
Senator Jack Reed, and Governor Carcieri.
Now for our first
award...
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Not-For-Profit Business of the Year
(company
with 1-49 employees)
Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership
Started as a
concept at a Warwick Chamber Board meeting, 19 years later and with 11
employees, this winner has a broad, expansive program that is the state
leader in youth mentoring. Responsible for collaboration, training, and
support to over 40 member organizations ensuring that each Rhode Island
child who needs a mentor…gets one. They operate the Feinstein Mentor
Training Institute. They started the Men2B Program, a 12hour role model
training course for adult males and young men in their communities. Their
core program however is one-to-one school-based mentoring in Warwick,
Woonsocket, and Newport.
Dedicated to their mission of expanding quality mentoring services for Rhode
Island youth they have enhanced the lives of over 10,000 students. In just
one year 53% of the students involved improved their skills in reading; 52%
in Writing and 49% in Math. An astounding 82% decreased the number of times
they faced disciplinary action.
What started with 10 volunteers from MetLife and 10 elementary school
students has grown to include 300 mentoring pairs at all 23 Warwick Schools.
Even with their current level of 4400 mentor/mentee pairs statewide to an
anticipated level of 10,000 by 2012 thousands more Rhode Island children
will still be in a position where they could benefit from the guidance of a
mentor.
Their secret…their ability to engage the business community and the
community at-large in their mission of enhancing the lives of Rhode Island’s
youth through mentoring. Most people want to help improve the lives of our
children and they will continue to strive to show them that Mentoring is the
best way to…
Be the Change! Mentor A Child! Investing today in mentoring will generate an
incredible return in the lives of our children and the health of our
communities for generations to come.
It’s with great pleasure that I present this year’s Rising Above the Rest
Not-For-Profit Business of the Year (company with 1-49 employees) to…
Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership, accepting is President & CEO Arlene
McNulty and her team
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Not-For-Profit Business of the Year
(company
with 50+ employees)
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Close your eyes,
step back in time, and walk with me, as we enter this section of the Park.
You might ask what are those strange noises that you hear? It might be the
“menagerie” of small animals and birds that were established in 1872.
Raccoons, guinea pigs, white mice, squirrels, rabbits, hawks, peacocks and
anteaters were all on display. This
menagerie” led to one of the first official designations as a “Zoo”.
Serving as one of the oldest Zoos in the nation and Rhode Island’s number
one outdoor family and tourist attraction they host an average of 600,000
guests per year plus an array of special events and award winning
environmental education programs for toddlers through teens, and vacation
Zoo Camps.
As a non-profit, they take a number of steps to assure that they are
accessible to all. Including: Free Saturdays; discounted admissions to many
schools and community groups; an annual event in partnership with Hasbro
Children’s Hospital which is dedicated to providing a safe & fun Zoo
experience.
They are supported and managed by the Rhode Island Zoological Society and
owned by the City of Providence. This winner has made a number of additions
over the years, adding animal exhibits throughout the Park and the RI
Zoological Society has undertaken a series of major improvement plans to
continue to transform this facility into one that has consistently earned
praise and loyalty from the public. Now, half way through a $35 million
capital campaign, they are in the midst of what is perhaps the most exciting
time in the history of this Zoo. Almost every area of the Zoo will be
affected and the changes will be momentous – all aimed at enhancing the
visitor’s experience and their understanding of the natural world. From the
return of a world class polar bear exhibit (the only one in new England) …
brand new, breathtaking habitats for seals and bald eagles, to an improved
Africa exhibit, a new veterinary hospital slated to open in 2010 & a
children’s zoo planned for a 2011 ribbon cutting, they certainly have
discovered the Secret To Success.
Their Secret…is two fold. 1. The value that the community places in their
property which creates a positive quality of life in Rhode Island and 2. A
Board of Trustees & staff highly committed to high standards of animal care
and continuing to develop
exhibits that improve the guest experience.
Please join me in welcoming this year’s Rising Above the Rest Not-For-Profit
Business of the Year (company with 50+ employees) Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Accepting is the Director of Marketing
& Public Relations, Janet Mariani
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Volunteer of the Year
Earl M. Pearson
This man began
his business career with his brother in January of 1966 as they started
their own company. Their motto of providing complete Real Estate and
Insurance Services with a “Pearsonal” Touch was the ideal they held true. It
later became Pearson Cronin and Jacobson, Inc. This man retired in 1996 but
still maintained his licenses and served in an active role as he consulted
and operated from his home office. He is a Golden Grad of the University of
Rhode Island, Class of 1950.
Through all this, he was involved in an extensive list of community projects
and organizations. He served as President of the Board for Warwick Rotary,
Cranston General Hospital, Professional Insurance Agents of New England,
American Baptist Ecumenical Churches of Rhode Island and many others. He
serves as an Incorporator for Kent Hospital and is a member with the
Harmony/Doric Lodge of Masons and the Rhode Island Shrine. He volunteers for
RSVP Warwick, where 3 times a week he picks up bread and pastry and delivers
it to the St. Rita’s Food bank; the Silver haired Legislature tracking
legislative issues affecting seniors, and is a member and treasurer for the
Veterans Helping Veterans, an organization that is dedicated to generating
income and resources to help veterans with housing. He is also currently
involved in helping the Animal Lovers’ Foundation try to complete their
campus in Conimicut with a Thrift Shop, Spay-Neuter clinic and an Animal
Lovers Chapel for owners and their pets.
His Secret…family, church, & his Boy Scout admonitions to share his time,
talent and treasure with others who, for whatever reason, have not been as
fortunate. RSVP says it best on their coffee cups. “Volunteers are Priceless
Treasures” Please join me in congratulating this year’s Rising Above the
Rest Volunteer of the Year…Earl M. Pearson.
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Young Entrepreneur
of the Year
Jason Pannone, ASP
Fire & Specialty Products Inc.
What were you
thinking about when you were in high school? Our next winner was all-state
in hockey and golf, then attended Penn State University on a golf
scholarship while studying business. Spending 3 years competing at the
highest collegiate golf level possible, and networking in the business world
he was laying the foundation and learning the skills it would take to be a
successful entrepreneur.
One day as he approached the first tee he was reacquainted with a family
friend, Manny DePointe –who started his own business in 1983. Manny would
play a much larger role in his future than he ever anticipated at that time.
He attributes his involvement with golf and athletics from an early age to
providing him with opportunities to interact, communicate and network
successfully in many areas of his business and life. It gave him the ability
to grow and develop a strong work ethic coupled with a strong determination
to succeed.
Working for Manny summers during college he learned the business
specializing in servicing and supplying portable fire extinguishers and
cabinets to the construction industry and he realized the potential.
Together they developed a business plan and ultimately he acquired the
company. Since the acquisition they have grown in the construction industry
and created a specialty products division. While staying true to the company
mission he has developed a wholesale and distribution division specializing
in division 10, supplying and installing products such as: toilet
accessories, chalkboards, whiteboards, fire extinguishers, cabinets, toilet
partitions, flagpoles and more. In addition they supply other fire
protection companies with sprinkler and safety related products. A one-stop
shop for both fire and specialty needs. They continue to improve customer
service while expanding the product base and have experienced a 43% growth
in the first year.
While dedicating himself to his business he is also dedicated to community
and has created Eagle Development LLC to specialize in the development and
redevelopment of affordable housing. Over the past 4 months they have
acquired 3 properties with over 8 units and have 4 more under contract with
over 15 units. It is a very rewarding process because the goal is to
recreate neighborhoods and allow families to have pride in the areas in
which they live.
Ladies and Gentlemen: This year’s Rising Above the Rest Business Young
Entrepreneur of the Year… from ASP Fire & Specialty Products Inc., Jason
Pannone
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Business of the Year
(company with 1-49 employees)
Flamand &
Associates
With over 20
years experience in the industry this next winner has made great strides in
her accomplishments.
She started in the claims department at MetLife in the 80’s and transferred
to sales in 1990. After some time she went into partnership, started an
agency, and things seemed to be on track - but in 2003 struggling with a
difficult partnership dissolution she was on her own again. Stepping back,
taking some time while a developing a solid business plan in July of 2005
she opened the doors to her own business. Starting from scratch she hired
one employee, acquired 4 companies and worked out of a 400 square foot
office in Gateway Plaza. In 2006 she had grown to occupy the adjoining
office and added 2 new companies and one part-time employee. A year later
she purchased an existing agency, doubling the size of her company and
adding 2 new producers. But by 2008 she had outgrown her space once again,
so out she went to find and ultimately purchase a 5,000sf building on
Jefferson Blvd. Now with 6 employees and 5 producers she represents 11
different insurance companies. 2009 seems to have started off on the right
foot with producers and employees writing plenty of new business.
Throughout all of this she has been extremely generous with her time and
resources by supporting her community. She has served as a Mentor
Coordinator for BNI, been on the Government Affairs committee for IIARI,
served on the Board of Directors for the House of Hope, co-chairing the
Annual Gala in 2008 which raised over $100,000, and currently serves on the
Board of Directors for the Central Rhode Island Chamber after many years as
a Chamber Ambassador.
Her secret…for her the key is hard work, thoughtfulness, compassion and the
love of what you do every day.
Join me in congratulating this year’s Rising Above the Rest Business of the
Year (1-49 employees)… Melanie Flamand, Flamand & Associates
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Business of the Year
(company
with 50+ employees)
Centreville Bank
Tried, true and
full of tradition and loyalty to its customers - that’s what this next
winner is all about.
Since 1828 they have been providing banking products and services for the
residents and business people of Central Rhode Island. Founded on tradition
of fair and conservative banking, they continue to be a fixture in the
community. As our neighborhoods have changed, they’ve remained at the
forefront, by providing the kind of modern convenient services our customers
need to achieve their financial goals. Whether its mortgages, free checking
accounts, online banking, or even their charitable efforts, their customers
appreciate their genuine commitment to their community & neighbors
As a community bank, the officers and employees have offered personal time
and bank resources to numerous organizations throughout Rhode Island.
Including Cornerstone Adult Services’ Celebrity Chefs, the Central Rhode
Island, East Greenwich, and Cranston Chambers of Commerce, Kent Hospital
Foundation, RI Blood Center, the Rotary Club of North Kingstown and Pawtuxet
Valley, The Kent Center, Toys for Tots, The United Way, Westbay Community
Action, the Kent County YMCA and several other organizations dedicated to
serving various religious, educational and social services.
Now with 160 employees and 6 branches their continued success can be
attributed to the continuity of leadership and the dedicated tone set by the
original management in 1828 that has been carried forward by each succeeding
generation. They remain strong and focused on their community.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s Rising Above the Rest Business
of the Year (50+ employees)… Centreville Bank
Accepting is President & CEO Raymond J. Bolster II.
ê Media
Person of the Year
Mark S. Murphy,
Editor, PBN - Providence Business News
Every Monday
morning on NBC 10 News Sunrise, Frank Coletta talks with this man about the
latest business news. “Business Talk” Features key topics faced by the local
business community. Some of the recent topics have included: Waterfront
Values, Energy Projects, Quonset, Bankruptcy, Gambling, Loans, the proposed
Hospital Merger, the Lead Law and the Economic Forecast.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, a master of
science from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a
master of business administration from Columbia’s Graduate School of
Business. Joining Providence Business News as the newspaper’s editor in
November 2005. He previously had served as the editor of Golf World
Business, after working in a variety of editing positions at the Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette.
He has repeatedly demonstrated his dedication to increasing public awareness
of the successes and challenges experienced by business.
As editor of PBN he ensures that a vast number of topics are covered
superbly. Through both print and media he has continued to help business
look at the changing climate, current issues, and the latest in news topics
that will provide solutions for business.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s Rising Above the Rest Media
Person of the Year… from Providence Business News, Editor Mark S. Murphy.
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Business & Education
Advocate of the Year
Rhode Island
Hospitality Education Foundation
This next
winner’s parent company has been in operation for over 26 years and is the
official trade group of the foodservice, lodging, restaurant and tourism
industries, developing and providing programs, services and support to their
members by protecting their interests, promoting industry partnerships,
education and leadership.
Based on the need to recruit and retain quality employees, this winner was
formed and for over 14 years has served as the primary resource to encourage
people embarking on a career in the food service or hospitality industry in
Rhode Island. Educating students and adults, they help others to advance
through their tourism academies.
Their 6 employees work diligently to provide the highest quality service and
programming. They provide training opportunities for current and future
industry employees in areas such as food safety, responsible beverage
service, and customer service. They support Culinary Arts & Lodging
Management Programs sponsored by their national associations. They have
secured grant funding to conduct a Skills Gap Analysis, designed a
customized program entitled “First Impressions: Exceptional Customer
Service™” and established relationships with the netWORKri system and youth
centers throughout the state. Training our future workforce to be the best
they can be. They continue their dedication toward education and business
and over the years have created extensive relationships in the community
with public & private sector organizations. Please join me in congratulating
this year’s Rising Above the Rest Business & Education Advocate of the Year…
The Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation…accepting on behalf of the
organization is President Dale Venturini and Sr. Vice President of Education
Heather Singleton
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Humanitarian of the
Year
Kent County YMCA
This next award
is being given to a solidly established not-for-profit business whose
mission is to provide goodwill and kindness for the betterment of humanity.
Serving the community since 1947 this business builds healthy spirits, minds
and body for all, through programs, services and relationships that are
based upon their core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
They are committed to serving EVERYONE in the community regardless of age,
gender, ethnicity, religion or ability to pay. They provide hundreds of
thousands of dollars in scholarship assistance each year.
While their parent company began in 1844, the Kent County Branch has been
proudly serving individuals, families and entire communities since 1947.
Located on 117 acres of land donated by the Champlin foundation they
currently serve more than 13,000 people, of every age and diverse
backgrounds, in Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, East and West Greenwich and
parts of Cranston.
Their core group of 180 employees which expands to 300 in season is active
in the community, forging over 20 partnerships and ensuring that services
are delivered wherever and whenever possible. Focused on building strong
kids, strong families and strong communities, their caring staff and quality
programs are just two of the tools they use to fulfill their Mission and
bring success to them and others.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s Rising Above the Rest
Humanitarian of the Year… Kent County YMCA… Accepting is the Executive
Director, Eileen F. Barber.
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Chamber
Advocate
Brent Wyrostek,
Arrest-A-Pest
An advocate is
someone who speaks or writes in favor of; one who supports or recommends
publicly – or one that pleads the cause of another. This advocate is someone
who does all of that and more in support of the Central Rhode Island Chamber
He has been co-owner in the family business for over 16 years. Focused on
customer service they have expanded their product line over the years based
on the needs of their customers. While being an integral part in a
profitable and successful business, he has also been an active Central Rhode
Island Chamber Ambassador for more than 11 years. As an ambassador, he helps
businesses build beneficial working relationships with one another while
helping them get the most out of their Chamber membership.
Although quiet and somewhat reserved, you know that whenever a need arises
you can always count on him to be there to support and help, for any and all
Chamber endeavors.
Please join me in congratulating this year’s Rising Above the Rest Chamber
Advocate…
From Arrest-A-Pest, Brent Wyrostek.
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Al Andrews
Community Achievement Award
Philip C. Slocum, The Slocum
Agency, Inc.
Our final award
is in honor of a gentleman who has been described as soft spoken yet dynamic
in his own way… Al Andrews. Al was the owner of AA Sign Company in Coventry,
a Warwick Resident, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Central
Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.
He was a wonderful collaborative leader who deeply touched many lives and
was compassionate and dedicated to helping others. Al was an inspiration of
strength, goodness, and hope for a nice future.
Our award winner this morning possesses many of these same qualities. He is
being recognized for achieving that mark, an individual who has selflessly
made outstanding contributions to the community.
He is co-owner of The Slocum Agency, Inc. and Slocum Realty, he and his
brother Bob Slocum are the second generation in this business that is
currently celebrating its 60th anniversary. By complementing each others’
skill sets and allowing each other to work independently, the pair has
focused their company on providing quality to their customers and support to
the community. They have come up with a winning combination where family is
the key.
Selflessly serving his community, he is a Past-President of the Chamber’s
and Cornerstone Adult Services Board of Directors and has supported the
chamber for more than 25 years. He has coached various youth sports, served
on the Board of Directors for Warwick Rotary and is a member of the Planning
Board for the City of Warwick, re-appointed under two leaderships. He has
served as a Project Impact Partner assisting the City of Warwick in the
development of a disaster mitigation and flood plain management plan. He is
a recipient of the Sam Walton Business Leader of the Year Award. He was
awarded a “Paul Harris Fellow” from Rotary International and the Warwick
Rotary Club for outstanding service in community. In 2006, he obtained his
100ton Captains license from the US Coast Guard.
This individual has served on numerous boards and supported many of the
community’s local non-profit and community based organizations. For his
outstanding dedication and compassion to helping others…It is with great
pleasure I introduce to you this year’s recipient of the Al Andrews
Community Achievement Award… Phil Slocum
A special Lifetime Achievement Award
was presented as well.
Tom Celona
Last year I was
proud and honored to be the first recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year I would like another to join me in this place of distinction.
This man has served the chamber for more than 20 years, both as legal
counsel and as an elected Board member. He is the engaging host of the
Chamber cable TV show, ChamberWorks.
He has an extensive legal background and has been a practicing attorney in
Warwick since 1971. He is admitted to practice in many courts.
He served on the Warwick City Council for 8 years,– served in the Rhode
Island State Senate for 4 years – and is the past president of many boards
within the community including the Warwick Rotary Club District Governor’s
Rep, Rotarian of the year and is a Paul Harris Fellow, which is Rotary
International’s highest honor for service.
Throughout his many years of practice he has always served and been involved
in many community organizations – his extensive contribution to community is
to be commended.
His friends and colleagues shared these thoughts with us…
“Now turn the clock back to when this man was running for State Senator…he
was focused on his
quest and thought of every possible means of promoting his candidacy
including timing his walks on West Shore Road so that commuters would see
him and his wife Jane with their “garb” as they drove to work. Of course, he
also spent a lot of time ringing door bells and meeting people face-to-face.
He would connect with whoever was known in the neighborhood and get him or
her to introduce him around. He was on one such foray in July with Nick
DelSesto when they arrived at a house in Conimicut. There was no answer to
the door bell, but heard a yell from the backyard to open the fence gate and
come around. He and Nick came upon two women in bikinis lying in lounge
chairs. Nick started in with an introduction but the women announced they
were not RI voters. The conversation went silent. For once in his lifetime
this man was at a loss for words.”
“He has a Passion for the betterment of the Rhode Island business climate
and sense of humor.”
“What makes this man special is his passion. He is one of the most
passionate people I have ever met. If you need an attorney, he’s the
attorney you want. If you need a volunteer, he’s your guy. And if you need a
leader, form the line behind this man.”
Ladies and Gentlemen please stand and join me in presenting this Lifetime
Achievement Award honoring Joseph J. McGair.
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