SOUTHINGTON — Members of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce gathered at the Aqua Turf Thursday evening to celebrate award winners and elect incoming officers.
At the 122nd annual meeting, various local businesses were recognized for leadership, innovation, and community partnership.
"Our goal is to celebrate as many good companies as possible," said Sean Moore, chamber president.
Masonicare received the Large Business Leadership Award, “for constantly growing and evolving their service model to reflect modern best practices,” the Chamber said in a statement.
Triple Springs Spring Water Co. and MembersFirst CT Federal Credit Union were both awarded the Small Business Leadership Award. Trifecta Ecosystems, Inc. was recognized for Special Achievement in Innovation Award.
"Trifecta Ecosystems is one of the best example of local, bold, innovative, entrepreneurial thinking,” Moore said. “Trifecta hopes that by giving (people) the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to succeed we can inspire a whole new generation of urban farmers in Meriden… and in the world to join us and make the ‘City that Feeds Itself’ a reality.”
Local architect George E. McGoldrick won the 26th Annual Community Partnership Award for his “many years of service to both the Chamber, city and the community.”
"I was surprised, it was unexpected," McGoldrick said. "I was flattered to get it."
McGoldrick has been involved in the Meriden community for decades, serving on the City Council for more than 10 years, and on various boards throughout the community. For the last five years he’s been Hole 12 Captain for the chamber’s team of volunteers at the annual Travelers Golf Championship, a role which combines his love of golf and “outstanding leadership skills,” Moore said.
"That’s a lesson I learned from my parents: to get the community you want, you have to get involved," McGoldrick said.
Tri-Town Collaborative, an out-of-town youth program for Meriden, Middletown, and Wallingford, was given the Excellence in Education Award. The William Sears Rice Awards went to Gallery 53, Arts & Crafts Association of Meriden, Inc.
Members also voted on the slate of incoming officers: Nathaniel Bottone of Salon Nathaniel as chairman, Daniel Quesnel as vice chairman, Ralph Mesite as secretary, Michael Nowicky as treasurer. Richard Pendred is the immediate past chairman. The incoming board of directors for 2018-2019 include Eric Francis, Christopher Powers, Daniel Vill, Karen Halloran, Miguel Castro, and Edward Dooling.
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