The surprises abounded Wednesday morning as representatives from the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce informed representatives from two businesses – the Purple Rose Theatre Company and Chelsea Lanes – that they’d been chosen by a group of their peers as 2012 large and small business leadership award winners, respectively.
Emphasizing the importance of these awards, Bruce Szcodronski, president of the chamber said, “These awards are the business highlights of the New Year and the two big awards of the year for chamber member businesses.”
The first to learn that it had won this prestigious leadership award were the winners of the 2012 Large Business of the Year. Guy Sanville, artistic director, and Katie Frye Hammond, development director, were totally shocked when they arrived in the lobby to find Szcodronski holding a large bunch of balloons that were donated to the winners by GiGi’s Flowers and Gifts.
Flanking him were Bob Pierce, executive director of the chamber and Ian Boone, a board member.
“We are very honored and what a surprise; I’m speechless,” Sanville said when he was called to the front of the theater and learned of the award.
“We are part of a company that attracts a lot of people to Chelsea,” Sanville said, recovering from the surprise. He said he never thought he’d live in a small town but “Chelsea is a very special place and I’m proud to call it home.”
The Business Leadership awards are presented to chamber members “who demonstrate exemplary vision and support of the mission of the chamber to advance commerce to establish and maintain Chelsea as a premier community in which to live, work and recreate,” Pierce said to the winners.
Frye Hammond, who was recently elected to the chamber board, said when she arrived in Chelsea at the end of April to work for the non-profit, she thought it was important to be involved in the community so, she reached out to Pierce to see where she could help.
From downtown, the chamber representatives headed to southtown to Chelsea Lanes, the Small Business Leadership of the Year winner.
Both Ed Greenleaf, Jr. who runs and operates the business, and his mom, Kathy Greenleaf, were on hand for the surprise visit from the chamber representatives.
“I’m pretty overwhelmed,” Ed Greenleaf said, “And very proud. I’m not sure what we did to deserve this, but more than anything, I am so proud to be a part of this community.”
Pierce told them that in all the years that these awards had been given Chelsea Lanes was the first winner to be selected unanimously on the first ballot.
“I cannot emphasize enough the true criteria it takes to win this award,” Szcodronski said.
Winners must have have shown leadership in one or more of the following areas:
• Displaying innovative ideas and services.
• Contributing to economic impact of the City of Chelsea.
• Providing services that meet the needs of the Chelsea area community.
• Enhancing the uniqueness of the community image.
• Demonstrating leadership in their business category.
• Supporting the activities of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.
“What both these businesses do for the business community and for the people living in Chelsea – it’s why people live here and come here to visit,” Szcodronski said.
The formal presentation of the 2012 business leadership winners will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21, during the annual membership meeting of the chamber. Plus, both businesses will also have “a place of honor” in the Chelsea Fair Parade on Aug. 24.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ambassador Club, we congratulate you and your staff for receiving the 2012 Small Business Leadership Award (and the 2013 Large Business Leadership Award),” Pierce told the 2012 winners.
Eddie Greenleaf Jr., is an absolute “true to Chelsea Citizen”, along with his family, he/they always have been and always will. They truly deserve this award.
Congrats Katie. We are proud of you and all you do………Joanie