A St Johnsbury businessman praised for his honesty and professionalism was honored as the Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce’s 44th Citizen of the Year at the organization’s annual meeting on May 21. Wesley Ward, owner of Wes Ward Auto Repair and Westward Equipment Service, was recognized for his extensive volunteer efforts with local and regional civic organizations. Ward, a past president of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber, learned of the award in a surprise video announcement prepared by fellow chamber member and friend, Steve Nichols, from Nichols Communications. The four-minute video featured photos from his life and career with voiceovers from the chamber director and wife Paula Ward, outlining his many area accomplishments.
NEK Chamber President Cindy Robillard presents a surprised Wes Ward with the organization’s Citizen of the Year award at the annual meeting on May 21 at Lyndon State College. Ward, a past president and present board member of the chamber, received a standing ovation following the announcement of the honor.
A St Johnsbury native, Ward graduated from St Johnsbury Academy in 1975 and soon after entered the Army. He graduated from Lyndon State College with a business degree following his time in the Army. Wes Ward Auto Repair originated in St Johnsbury in 1981 at the former Bedard’s Service Center on Portland Street, relocated to Danville in 1988 and then moved back to its present Portland Street location in July 1999.
The shop has received four prestigious Vermont AAA Shop of the Year Awards in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009, recognizing overall satisfaction, courtesy and efficiency of personnel, car ready when promised and willingness to return for future repairs. He has served on three national boards for Parts Plus Car Care Center, a national auto association organization.
Ward has volunteered extensively in the region, serving as a member and president of the St Johnsbury Kiwanis Club, an organizer for the Caledonia County Relay for Life, a guardian ad litem for the court system, a mentor in the schools, a longtime supporter of the Santa Fund, board member and past president of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber and is a present trustee of the St Johnsbury Athenaeum & Art Gallery. He received the Governor’s Community Service Award in 2009, the same year he served as president of the Kiwanis and the chamber. Ward also received the NEK Chamber Ken Clow Memorial Trustee Award in 2011 for his meritorious service to the organization.
“Wes is the type of person whose quiet service may easily be overlooked, but he does wonderful things for his community every day,” said one colleague, singing Ward’s praises in his nomination packet.
Ward’s tenure as chamber president in 2009 was marked by a number of challenges, as the organization was having to offer additional and needed business assistance while it was facing the effects of the state and national recession.
“Wes took on the challenge of leading the NEK Chamber through a difficult time period, and his patience and guidance were extremely appreciated by all who worked alongside him,” explained Barbara Olden, who served as chamber president prior to Ward’s term.
Many of his friends and colleagues speak of Ward as a very dedicated and committed father and as a man who is devoted to changing the lot of children who are in peril. His time as a mentor and guardian ad litem speak to that mission.
“Wes is respected as a guardian ad litem. He is thorough, fully prepared and well spoken. He treats all parties in a respectful manner whether he is in agreement with them or not. Wes has demonstrated an ability to diffuse a potentially volatile situation with a calm and quiet demeanor,” said a colleague who works with him at the courthouse.
NEK Chamber Citizen of the Year recipient Wes Ward is flanked by his mother, Lois, and wife, Paula, at the chamber’s annual meeting held May 21 at Lyndon State College. The St. Johnsbury businessman was recognized for the honor for his extensive volunteer efforts in St. Johnsbury and the Northeast Kingdom.
Ward is the father of Lisa Ward and Rachel Rehder, and he lives in Danville with wife, Paula Ward, and stepdaughter Katelyn.
This Citizen of the Year is presented each year to a Northeast Kingdom business person who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, extensive community involvement and business proficiency. The award is one of the region’s oldest and most distinguished honors and is chosen through a nomination process. Local civic, social and chamber leaders comprise the committee that selects the recipient from nominations given by the public.
Past recipients have included Doug Kitchel, H. Stanwood Brooks, Dr. Howard Farmer, George Young, Mrs. Mildred H. Smith, Wesley Calderwood, Durward Ellis, Joseph Sherman, Rosalie Harris, Kay Ellis, R.J. (Pete) Brisson, William T. Costa Jr., Hon. Sterry R. Waterman, George M. Crosby, Ernie Begin, William Stowe, William P. Kennedy, G. Julian Butler, Howard K. Gieselman, Bernier L. Mayo, Donald Mullally, Alfreda (Freddie) King, Barbara McKay Smith, Dr. John H. Elliott, B.J. Murphy, Dr. John A. Stetson, Doug Drown, Dr. Frederick C. Silloway, the Rev. Mel Richardson, Brent W. Beck, Paul R. Bengtson, Joan M. Wollrath, Donald E. Bostic, Richard Lawrence, Dale Wells, Fred Laferriere, Nat Tripp/Reeve Lindbergh, Elwin Cross, A. Richard Boera, Gregory MacDonald, David Keenan, Robert Swartz and the Rev. Jay Sprout.