Beverly Chamber To Honor 3 North Shore Leaders At Annual Dinner

BEVERLY, MA — The North Shore Chamber of Commerce will honor three standout contributors to the region during its upcoming Annual Dinner Meeting and Distinguished Leader Awards.

The event is set for Nov. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Danversport.

The event will include the installation of the chamber's Board of Directors and officers for 2027 and recognition of three North Shore leaders.

The program will also highlight the chamber's achievements over the past year and provide an overview of its advocacy work and priorities for the year ahead.

A cocktail reception is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., with the main program starting at 6 p.m. Registration is required through the chamber’s website.

This year's Distinguished Leaders are Leo Bertolino, CEO of Bertolino Foods; Lloyd Hamm, president and CEO of River Run Bancorp and a member of the chamber's Board of Directors; and Jo Ann Simons, president and CEO of Northeast Arc and a member of the chamber's Board of Directors.

The chamber said Bertolino built his career after growing up in his family's meat business and later joining his brothers to establish F.B. Packing in 1990. In 2020, F.B. Packing, Frank Bertolino Beef and Adams, Chapman Co. were brought together to create Bertolino Foods, which later moved to a facility in Peabody. Bertolino also supports the Make-A-Wish, the YMCA of Metro North and Citizens Inn.

Hamm was recognized for leading River Run Bancorp, MHC, a model intended to preserve and strengthen community banking. The chamber said Newburyport Bank, Pentucket Bank and Rollstone Bank & Trust have come together under River Run while keeping their individual identities as community banks. River Run now represents more than $3.6 billion in assets, 25 banking offices and about 300 employees.

Simons was cited for her work as an advocate for people with disabilities and their families. She has served as president and CEO of Northeast Arc since 2016 and has focused on employment, housing, independent living and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The chamber also noted that her son Jonathan helped inspire her life's work.

The chamber listed Wellpoint as the presenting sponsor.

Platinum, title and gold sponsors include banks, hospitals, colleges, utilities, cultural institutions and other regional employers.

The dinner is expected to recognize individual leadership while also setting the chamber’s course for the coming year.