2023 Business of the Year award winner: Gallagher, Flynn & Company
Vermont Business Magazine The Lake Champlain Chamber celebrated its 112th Annual Dinner on Thursday, April 13 with more than 300 attendees at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Four awards were presented to businesses and business leaders to recognize their accomplishments and contributions to our community. The Chamber also welcomed its Chair of the Board of Directors, Ashley Wainer. Chamber President Cathy Davis said of the event, “It's important to take the time to celebrate the businesses, organizations and individuals that create economic opportunity and make really positive contributions to our community. All of the award winners this year are outstanding examples of ingenuity and exceptional impact. It's our collective focus as a business community on the role we play in change that sets Vermont apart as a place to live, work, and do business."
Awards:
Business of the Year - presented to Gallagher, Flynn & Company, LLP
This annual award recognizes a business that exemplifies the hard work and commitment necessary to succeed despite the risks and challenges in business. The winner must also demonstrate a strong commitment to their employees and our community. With offices in South Burlington, Vermont and Lebanon, New Hampshire, Gallagher, Flynn & Company serves a diverse client base that extends around the globe. Their clients run the gamut from private equity owned to non-profits, and startups to industry giants with revenues topping $500 million. Gallagher, Flynn & Company was named as one of the best places to work by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
Community Impact Award – presented to Amy Carmola
This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated consistent, meaningful impact in their community. Amy Carmola leads United Way of Northwest Vermont’s strategic investments to strengthen communities and improve people’s lives across Northwest Vermont. She works with United Way staff, volunteers, and partners from all sectors to identify needs and advance community-defined priorities by investing in programs and services, driving engagement and collaboration, mobilizing volunteers, and facilitating strategic initiatives, and advocating to create systems-level change. Amy joined United Way in 2003 and held a number of roles in the organization before becoming part of the leadership team in 2012. She has taught undergraduate courses at University of Vermont and St. Michael’s College. Amy grew up in St. Albans, graduated from Middlebury College, and completed a doctoral degree at University of Vermont, where she studied lifespan development and community psychology. She and her family live in Richmond.
Community Impact Award – presented to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
This award is presented to an organization that has demonstrated consistent, meaningful impact in their community. With nearly 400 active volunteers, plus generous partners and sponsors, and an amazing base of clients and friends, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been at the forefront of sports and recreation for those with disabilities for more than 30 years. Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is a nationally recognized organization that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreational programming regardless of ability to pay. In addition to sports, year-round programming options integrate environmental, holistic wellness, and competitive training philosophies for people of all ages with cognitive, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities.
Emerging Leader Award – presented to Adam Roof
This award recognizes an emerging leader who combines professional success with community leadership. The individual demonstrates strong commitment to our community, and leadership in their field. By the time he was 25, Adam Roof was elected as an Independent to the Burlington City Council and was reelected in 2018. After serving for 5 years as an elected official, Adam took over as the Chair of the Burlington Democratic Party. Since 2019, Roof has led BTV Ignite, an economic development initiative supported by major public, private, and educational institutions - including the City of Burlington. BTV Ignite has led the deployment of $200,000 of grant funding through Burlington Telecom to local entrepreneurial support organizations. Adam is also a fiduciary financial advisor with Burlington-based One Day In July. He is a founding Board member for Action Beyond Words, an international crisis response NGO established to deliver regular and direct aid to Ukrainians impacted by war. Roof’s efforts have raised $130,000 locally. Earlier this month, Mayor Miro Weinberger commissioned Adam to establish an official sister city in Ukraine by this time next year. Through this relationship, Burlington will provide direct resources and technical assistance in the short term, and during reconstruction.
A.Wayne Roberts Business Award – presented to Little Patakha
The A. Wayne Roberts Business Award honors a new business that demonstrates growth, job creation and ingenuity. Launched in 2021, Little Patakha is a children’s media company based in Vermont. It introduces young minds to diverse ideas, sounds and people they normally wouldn't come across. It is a brand with a unique personality and consistent style building a comprehensive portfolio of different media for different stages of development, all focused on promoting inclusion. Products include books, games, puzzles and other media developed around three themes – look beyond stereotypes to nurture self-respect and inspire acceptance, inclusive stories around STEAM subjects to make them more accessible to everyone and learn a language as a stepping stone to understanding new cultures.
The Chamber also recognized the following companies for their generous support of the dinner: M&T Bank, Northfield Savings Bank; Sheehey, Furlong & Behm; REM Development; KeyBank; The University of Vermont Medical Center; David Seaver Photography.
The Lake Champlain Chamber believes that together, we make Vermont work. Their mission and programs are best summed up by five distinct points: seeking economic opportunity for all; celebrating business ownership and entrepreneurship; promoting a robust, diversified visitor economy; cultivating community leadership; and nurturing emerging talent. For more information about the Lake Champlain Chamber, visit www.lccvermont.org.
Source: 4.13.2023. Burlington, Lake Champlain Chamber
