NVCC 117th Annual Meeting

Former New England Patriots’ offensive guard Joe Andruzzi told the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce that great things can be achieved even during difficult times.

Former Patriot Joe Andruzzi addresses the NVCC Annual Meeting. (Matt McKee photo)

Andruzzi was the keynote speaker at the NVCC’s 117^th Annual Meeting, held recently at Christina’s in Foxboro. As his 11^th year of professional football was about to begin, he began feeling stomach pains while working out. Andruzzi was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a large tumor on his colon.

Having successfully overcome cancer through aggressive treatments, Andruzzi decided that he wanted to give back and help others in need. He helped C.J. Buckley, a young boy battling brain cancer, and started the C.J. Buckley Brain Cancer Research Fund at Children’s Hospital. In addition, Andruzzi and his wife, Jen, started the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, which is geared toward giving financial assistance to people who are struggling from paying doctor’s bills to keeping a home out of foreclosure, according to Andruzzi.

Honorees at this year’s NVCC Annual Meeting included Norwood-based Mercer, which was awarded Larger Business of the Year, and McDonald’s (1600 Providence Highway, Norwood) owners Don and Paula Wright, who were honored as the Smaller Business of the Year.

Mercer, an international human resource consulting company, employs more than 1,300 people in its Norwood facility alone. The company hires primarily local workforce and uses local area businesses. Mercer focuses on social responsibility, environmental initiatives, commitment to the neighborhood, and fiscal responsibility. In 2010, Mercer raised over $35,000 for local nonprofits such as food banks.

The Wrights have been supporting diversity, education, and philanthropy as well as giving to area nonprofits, such as Norwood Manager’s Gift of Warmth Fund, which helps area residents afford heat. The Wrights have also put time and money into encouraging their employees to attend college. In 2010, they donated to the Vid Ativa Center in Cape Verde, which was established to help victims of domestic violence. Many of the Norwood McDonald’s employees come from the Cape Verde Islands.

In addition, Al DeNapoli of Walpole, a member of the law firm of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rogers, was recognized as Business Person of the Year, and Mary Raczka of HESSCO Elder Services in Sharon was honored as the Paul Smith Volunteer of the Year.

The following new officers were also installed: board chair – Anthony Caruso, senior vice president, Bank of Canton; chair elect – Kevin Hallinan, principal, Winning, Inc.; treasurer – Michael Moran, savings loan officer, Dedham Savings; president – Thomas O’Rourke of Norwood, NVCC.

Steve Fradkin, president of the Wizard of Adz in Canton and outgoing NVCC chairman; Debbie Madden of Norwood-based Mercer; and Anthony Caruso, senior VP of Bank of Canton and newly elected NVCC chairman

Outgoing board chair Steven Fradkin, owner of the Wizard of Adz in Canton, said he laid out 10 goals for 2010 and expected to achieve two or three. However, the chamber achieved seven of those goals, including appointing volunteer chairmen and chairwomen for chamber committees instead of using valuable staff time for the jobs.

Other goals achieved included creating a committee to coordinate seminars and speaker programs, and creating a Governance Committee and a Retention Committee. Budget breakdowns were included for each committee. NVCC accounts payable have been reduced to zero.

Caruso, the new chair, said that the chamber renewed 71 percent of its current members, showing that “our members understand the benefits of the chamber, especially during an economic downturn.”

Caruso’s goal for this year is to increase membership, which he said will increase the strength and number of individuals behind the NVCC mission and allow the chamber to touch as many businesses in the Neponset Valley as possible in a positive way.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Feb 10 2011. Filed under News. Both comments and pings are currently closed.