Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce holds Annual Meeting

Marilyn J. Barrett of Christopher J. Barrett Realtors was the recipient of the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce James Chisholm Leader in Business Award. The award was presented to Marilyn Barrett at the organization’s annual meeting at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield. The James Chisholm Leader in Business Award is an annual premier 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. Past recipients include Ann Hadley of JC Marketing Associates, The Savings Bank, and Suzanne Bowering of Holiday Travel. According to the criteria, this award is presented to a modest leader who gives all for the business community, someone who is a motivator, inspires great community vitality and is a mentor to other business leaders. Marilyn was selected to receive the award based on her involvement and support of the community, organizations, local businesses and programs, according to award presenter Ann Hadley. “Tonight’s recipient embodies so many of the traits that my father exhibited in his five-plus decades as a Wakefield business owner and community leader,” she said. “He operated on the philosophy that it is better to give than receive. He knew what matters most – family, friendship, trust and respect. He knew that at the end of the day he made a difference. All the character traits our recipient definitely has.” Marilyn and Chris Barrett started their real estate business, Christopher J Barrett Realtors, over 45 years ago. While raising their four sons, she did the company’s books from home during the company’s early years. In 1984 when Chris suffered a major heart attack, she took a more active role, and, following Chris’ death in 2014, Marilyn has run the company, alongside three of their four sons. Marilyn’s volunteerism began as a member of St. Joseph’s Mothers Association where she chaired the Bake Sales, was a room mother, recess monitor, coordinated and participated in the fashion shows, taught CCD, helped with fundraisers and volunteered to welcome the school’s new parents. She was among the first members of the Citizens Scholarship Foundation (now The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield) and was instrumental in changing the fundraising efforts from door-to-door solicitation to the hugely successful annual phonathon. Marilyn is active in the Col. James Hartshorne House as a longtime member of the Board of Directors, with over 30 years of volunteering on almost every committee, including serving as Secretary for several years, and most recently as the chairman of the annual meeting. She was a founding member and President of the Friends of the Wakefield Council on Aging the fundraising arm of the community’s efforts to turn the closed Warren School into the John J. McCarthy Senior Center. Under Marilyn’s watchful eye, Christopher J. Barrett Realtors became a community icon and major benefactor. Nearly every organization in town has been the beneficiary of the generosity and community-spirit of Christopher J. Barrett Realtors. “As a leader, Marilyn has instilled in her sons the importance of giving back to the community and becoming part of the community in leadership roles: chamber boards, nonprofit boards, coaching and much more. She is a person who gets things done.” In addition to the presentation of the James Chisholm Leader in Business Award, the annual meeting also included the election of officers and directors, as well as awards to local businesses and individuals for their efforts on behalf of Wakefield and Lynnfield businesses and residents. Award recipients included Dance Studio of Wakefield, Business of the Year, Wakefield; Christine’s Café and & Confections, Business of the Year, Lynnfield; Early Harvest, Welcome to Wakefield - New Business of the Year; Curious Kids, Welcome to Lynnfield - New Business of the Year; Unsung Hero, Susan Wetmore, Wakefield; and Unsung Heroes, Janine and Victor Saldhana, Lynnfield. The guest speaker for the evening was David Roberts, Jr., of Truro Vineyards. During his remarks, Roberts talked about his family’s involvement in the business and how the vineyard came to be. He explained the process of making wine and explained the intricacies involved in the process as the audience sampled three wines from his vineyard: a 2014 Riesling, a 2015 Rose, and a 2014 Cabernet Franc. “Congratulations to all the award recipients, officers and directors,” co-Presidents Tom Mullen and Cheryl Carroll said. “A special thank you to our guest speaker for his insightful talk about Truro Vineyards and the wine-making process.” Marilyn Barrett, left, of Christopher J. Barrett Realtors, was the recipient of the James Chisholm Leader in Business Award from the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce. Marilyn received her award from Chisholm’s daughter and Chamber Director Ann Hadley, right, during the recent annual meeting. Members of the Barrett family and Realtors from Christopher J. Barrett Realtors attended the recent annual meeting of the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce which honored company founder Marilyn Barrett (seated, right) with the prestigious James Chisholm Leader in Business Award. State Representative Donald H. Wong, right, presented a citation from the House of Representatives to Marilyn Barrett, left, of Christopher J. Barrett Realtors, recipient of the James Chisholm Leader in Business Award from the Wakefield Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce.