Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce holds Annual Meeting

Wakefield Attorney Eugene Nigro was the recipient of the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce James Chisholm Leader in Business Award at the organization’s annual meeting held recently at the Four Points by Sheraton in Wakefield.

The James Chisholm Leader in Business Award is an annual award presented by the Chamber to a business leader in memory of the founder of JC Marketing Associates who died in 2012. The recipient exemplifies the spirit of Jim’s generosity, guidance, and support of local business and organizations.

Attorney Nigro was selected to receive the award based on his involvement and support for the community as an attorney and as owner of the Law Office of Nigro, Pettepit and Lucas, the Lakeside Inn and Lakeside Office Park, according to the Chamber. In addition to his generosity to local and area organizations, he provides shelter and employment to those in need, is a supporter of the Wakefield Alliance Against Violence and public safety, donates the use of the hotel facilities and grounds for fundraising races and walks for charities and organizations, and is a generous donor to Wakefield sports and scholarship programs.

The annual meeting also included the election of officers and directors, including newly elected co-President Chris Barrett of Christopher J. Barrett Realtors, who will serve in the position with Janice Casoli of First Financial Trust, and newly elected 1^st Vice President Bob Sardella of Sardella Signs and 2^nd Vice President Laurie Hunt of North Star Realtors.

Awards to local businesses and individuals for their efforts on behalf of Wakefield and Lynnfield businesses and residents were also presented to Brightview Senior Living, Wakefield, Business of the Year; Susan Wetmore, chair of the Blossoms at the Beebe, appreciation recognition; and Community Recognition Awards from the Wakefield Police Department and Chief Rick Smith to Bread Shop owners Lauren Donati and Margaret Shimek.

The Chamber also recognized outgoing co-President Attorney Thomas Mullen for his leadership, as well as annual meeting sponsors Lahey Health, The Savings Bank, and First Financial Trust.

The guest speaker for the evening was Jon Hurst, President of the 4000-member Retailers Association of Massachusetts.

As President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, Hurst manages the member services, education and public affairs missions of the organization, as well as the day to day administration. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of the MA Retail Merchants Workers Compensation Group, Inc., a non-profit group organized by RAM in 1991. He also heads the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Health Insurance Cooperative, the first non-profit small business health insurance cooperative authorized in 2012 by the Commonwealth.

Hurst has served on various state advisory boards, including current roles with the Economic Development Planning Council, the Statewide Healthcare Quality Advisory Committee, the Health Policy Commission Advisory Council, and the Workforce Competitive Trust Fund Advisory Committee. Hurst has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the Beverly YMCA, Beverly Main Streets, the National Retail Federation, and also served as Chairman of the National Association of State Retail Association Executives. Prior to serving at RAM, he worked in public affairs roles for the Hershey Foods Corporation and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, as well as at the Ohio House of Representatives.

“Congratulations to all the award recipients, officers and directors,” co-Presidents Janice Casoli and Chris Barrett said. “We are especially grateful to our guest speaker for his very interesting and informative talk.”

Lahey Health was a sponsor of the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce annual meeting held recently at Four Points by Sheraton in Wakefield. Chamber Director and Lahey Health urgent care executive director Terry Giove, right, welcomed Jon Hurst, President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, to the meeting.

Chris Barrett (front row, third from left), and Janice Casoli (front row, fourth from right) were elected co-Presidents of the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce during the recent annual meeting. Joining them at the recent annual meeting are (front row, left to right) Director Cheryl Carroll, guest speaker Jon Hurst, co-Presidents Barrett and Casoli, Directors Suzanne Bowering, Terry Giove and Dr. Nicole Bloor. (Back row, left to right) Directors Laurie Hunt, Bob Priestly, Ann Hadley, Tom Mullen, Executive Director John Smolinsky, Director Cindy Newell, First Vice President Bob Sardella and Director Bob DiBella. Treasurer Joyce Grasso and Directors Sharon Gilley and Catherine Nigro were at the meeting but are not pictured.

Wakefield Attorney Eugene Nigro, right, was presented with the James E. Chisholm Leader in Business Award during the recent annual meeting of the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce. The annual award is presented by the Chamber to a business leader in memory of the founder of JC Marketing Associates who died in 2012. The recipient exemplifies the spirit of Jim’s generosity, guidance, and support of local business and organizations. Attorney Nigro received the award for his generosity and commitment to the community as owner of the law firm Nigro Pettipet and Lucas, the Lakeside Inn and Lakeside Office Park.