COBLESKILL - The Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce celebrated local business achievements for 2010 during its annual meeting and fundraising dinner last Thursday at the Best Western in Cobleskill.
The chamber recognized Lamont Engineers as the FMA WIB Business Partner of the Year, Gail Breen as Business Person of the Year, the Cobleskill Agricultural Society as Business of the Year and Kathy Smith as Community Leader of the Year.
Chuck Finn accepted the award for Lamont Engineering presented by Breen and the FMS Workforce Development Board. When he accepted his award, Finn said he saw a road sign on a recent trip that read, "worth a visit, worth a lifetime" and said that is how he feels about working and living in Schoharie County.
"Schoharie County is worth that, it's worth a visit and it's worth a lifetime," said Finn.
Breen was then recognized as Business Person of the Year. She has served more than 25 years in work force development, including 20 years as a national trainer. Her resume includes executive dIrector of the Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties Workforce Development Board, Inc since 2000. Breen has also served as director of the New York Employment and Training Institute, University at Albany, funded through contracts with state and federal Departments of Labor. She invested in and oversaw a project that created and delivered curriculum on Triage and Assessment used for designing and delivering services.
"It's difficult to find the words," said Breen, who has also served two terms on the College Council at SUNY Cobleskill, as she accepted her award Thursday night. "I have had a passion for workforce development for over 30 years, there are just no words."
Doug Cater, president of the Board of Directors for the Cobleskill Agricultural Society accepted the award for the 2010 Business of the Year.
The business began in 1876 as a small group of professionals and farmers adopted the bylaws, founding the Cobleskill Agricultural Society which hosted a three-day fair in September of that year.
The Schoharie County Sunshine Fair will be in its 135th year this year, showcasing many historical buildings as well as the addition of the Superior Housing Equine Sports Arena. The Agricultural Society is run by nine volunteers and an office staff.
"The fair has seen a 43 percent increase in fair attendance over the past two years," said Cater. "There is not another fair in the state that has accomplished that."
He thanked other business and local consumers for their support. "You made us look good."
The board of directors, including Cater, are: Sandi Emanuel, vice president; Clarissa Kniskern, secretary; Blair Hartman, treasurer; and directors Dale All, Jim Collins, Lois Goblet, Jack McNerney and Bruce Wright and office personnel, Jo-Ann Corsal and Barbara Harding.
Kathy Smith accepted the Community Leader of the Year award. Smith is general manager of the Best Western Inn of Cobleskill and has been an active member of the chamber;s board of directors since 2006. She has served as vice president and chaired the events and activities and promotional committee.
"This is a great honor," said Smith who is also active on the Schoharie County Promotion Advisory Committee sitting on the occupancy tax board. “It shows what we can do when we advocate for each other. I love my job and I love my community," she said. Smith acknowledged several members of her staff and continues to be a strong advocate of the Chamber's "Go Local" program.
Each award winner received with a Certificate of Merit from the US Congress, presented by Congressman Paul Tonko, the New York State Senate, presented by a representative of Senator James Seward and the New York State Assembly, presented by state Assemblyman Peter Lopez and the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, presented by chairman Harold Vroman.
Dr. Anne C Meyers received the National Honorary SCORE Award presented by Richard Hannis, CEO Upstate NY Rural Initiative and Director Emeritus of SCORE, a program to help with small business and mentoring.
"It is easy to do good work when you work with so many good people," said Meyers.
The Memoriam Presentations followed the awards honoring late chamber members Susan M. Ball, David Huse and T.L. Wright. These awards were presented to family members by Wynn Kintz.
Schoharie County Clerk Indy Jacox presented the chamber with her initiative to start the Innovative Veterans program that would serve the 2,800 veterans in Schoharie County.
Jaycox invited business to be a part of the Schoharie County Veterans discount. This would allow veterans to provide an ID card and/or window decal to receive a discount at local stores. Jaycox said the program was voluntary and the level of discount would be set on an individual basis of each store. She urged businesses to help her get the program up and running.
The next event for the chamber includes the Member Benefit Breakfast on Wednesday, March 30 at 7:30 a.m. This is for businesses to attend to learn more about what the Chamber can do for each business. The RSVP must be received by March 29. For more information please call the camber at (518) 827-3900.
