Barrington Area Chamber Announces 2015 Business Awards
The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) announced its 2015 business awards at its Annual Gala & Silent Auction on Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Stonegate Conference and Banquet Center. The evening was a celebration of Chamber accomplishments and people and attracted nearly 200 local business, community and governmental leaders.
This year BACC awarded the 2015 BACC Leadership Award to Charlotte Neault of Barrington Bank & Trust, N.A. The award honors a dedicated Chamber member who has served, led and guided the organization, been involved in a variety of activities, and set an example of distinguished leadership. Neault served as the BACC Chairman for the past year and a half, and will continue to serve as Past Chairman during 2015.
"Char Neault provided the rock solid foundation needed to steer BACC into a new era of leadership and vision. She has been a forceful and diligent, yet graceful and professional leader," said newly elected BACC Chairman Lisa Caputo of Morgan Stanley - The Schirmann Group. "Char has worked tirelessly to advance the strength and impact of the Chamber. She is a master at navigating the challenging, and directing and motivating her colleagues. Char brings out the best in people and she exemplifies the best of the Chamber," Caputo said.
The BACC Business Excellence Award was presented to Deborah Leydig of Norton's U.S.A. This award honors a Barrington-area business that goes above and beyond the norm to achieve real results, having a positive impact on the local business economy and setting the bar high for service to the community.
"Norton's only sells products made in the USA to keep America strong. Deborah Leydig is a dynamic example of the spirit and entrepreneurialism that make the Barrington area stand out," Caputo said. "Her 'buy American' strategy is keeping jobs across America. Locally, she is a creative, passionate and encouraging voice for Barrington merchants, and a dedicated community champion," Caputo said.
Next, the Chamber presented the Volunteer of the Year Award. This award honors a Chamber member who has given unselfishly, contributing to the overall success of the Chamber through their active participation and ongoing support. The award was presented to Dennis Kelly of FGMK Insurance Agency.
"Dennis Kelly is a regular face at Chamber events. This year he attended a majority of our mixers, ribbon cuttings, scrambles and other special events - in fact it would be difficult to think of an event he did not attend!" Caputo said. "Everywhere Dennis goes he is a staunch supporter and believer in the value and benefit of the BACC mission."
Then, the BACC Rookie of the Year Award was presented. This award honors a new Chamber member who has recently joined the Chamber and become involved with vigor and passion, bringing new energy to the organization and showing the value of the BACC experience. The award was given to Jason Tennyson of Liberty Mutual.
"Jason came on board with a single mission in mind, 'how can I help others?'," Caputo said.
Finally BACC presented a special recognition, the first Young Entrepreneurs award.
"Tonight we are proud to have within our midst the future of our business community, our first winners of the award - FMB Technology, a team of students from Barrington High School who developed an innovative app to help local school families track their school bus for precise drop off and pick up times," Caputo said. "We are proud to have these young innovators among us."
The Young Entrepreneurs Award went to Barrington High School Students Sanjit Narendra, Connor Boundy, Luke Nilles, Massimo Guhde and Jack Lenihan.
About the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce / BACC: The BACC (www.BarringtonChamber.com), founded in 1969, is an association of 800+ member businesses representing more than 18,000 business people dedicated to the success and prosperity of the 11 regional communities it serves: Barrington, Barrington Hills, Deer Park, Inverness, Kildeer, Lake Barrington, Long Grove, North Barrington, Port Barrington, South Barrington and Tower Lakes. The BACC promotes economic opportunities, advocates the interests of business, offers programs for professional development and leadership, and works with and through its Members to foster a robust regional economy.