Brattleboro Chamber Holds Annual Dinner
Braving the elements of a huge weekend blizzard that buried the region under nearly two feet of snow, the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Dinner right on schedule Saturday, January 22. Over 120 area business people turned out for the gala, enjoying the hospitality of the Putney Inn and the music of The Phyllis Isaacson and Bill Shontz Quartet. The highlight of the evening came with the presentation of the Person of the Year and Corporate Citizen of the Year awards, a long-standing tradition of the Chamber.
Catherine Coonan, twenty years with The Richards Group, was honored as the Chambers 51st Person of the Year. Tim Copeland of Downs, Rachlin & Martin PLLC, and President of the BACC board in 2004, presented the award to Coonan, noting her long ties to the area and numerous contributions the community. She has a well-earned reputation in the community for her organizational skills, attention to detail and loyalty to her clients. She has compiled a remarkable list of community activities over the years. Copeland cited her extensive involvement with the local Rotary Club (she is a former President), and her service on the boards of several organizations such as the Austine School, BABB, and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital where she currently serves as Board President. He praised her as a person who has shown unparalleled devotion to the community over the years. A surprised Coonan graciously accepted the award to a standing ovation.
The Corporate Citizen of the Year was awarded to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Newly elected BACC board President, Martha OConnor presented the honor. As a community hospital, BMH is able to offer patients something unique in this day and age: truly personalized attention and care. From their family-oriented, comfortable birthing center to their fully equipped surgical suites, BMH offers health care that combines the best of technology with small-town values. She lauded the mini-city as a lot more than a corporation. Its an institution& a healthcare institution which . . .
gives more than $1.8 million each year in charitable and free care and
provides the community with a wealth of free screenings and educational programs.
Katherine Anderson, interim CEO for BMH accepted the award from OConnor, thanking the Chamber for the recognition.
BACC Executive Director Betsy Gentile thanked the guests for turning out on such a snowy evening. She reported Chamber membership rose 22% in 2004 with 100 new members and noted she and the Board look forward to another amazing year in 2005.