Chief Mark Doyle Named Business Leader of Year

On Thursday night, the held its annual Recognition Dinner and Scholarship Fundraiser where they announced the 2011 Business of the Year and Business leader of the year.

The well-kept secret each year allows for a surprise announcement at the awards dinner and no one was more surprised this year than Chief Mark Doyle when his name was announced as 2011 Business Leader of the Year award.

“I was shocked,” Doyle said following the presentation of the awards. “I never expected it at all.”

Doyle said most people don't likely look at the police department as a business, but it many ways it is, and in the past year, especially, the police department has become very involved in the business community Doyle said, especially through their interactions with social media and their presence at business events around town.

During his remarks, Chamber President Tom LaChance said Doyle's can be found participating in numerous non-profit, civic and youth organizations and is "never without a smile."

"He's a master at connecting businesses with the community and each other," LaChance said.

Also recognized , and its owner Rod Buckley, recipient of the 2011 Business of the Year award.

"Many of his customers have really said that he's as honost as the day is long," LaChance said. "To me that only begins to describe his character and attributes."

The final award recipient was Bill Cummings who earned the President's award from LaChance, who spoke in glowing terms of Cummings' dedication to the town.

"It's often rare to find an individual who offers so much to our community and the Chamber of Commerce,"LaChance said.

Preceding the night's awards, nearly 175 attendees that included business leaders, town officials, state representatives and gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne, dined on a banquet-style dinner and bid on silent auction items. The money raised through the auction and raffle tickets will play a big part in this year's scholarship offerings to students continuing their education.

Chamber Executive Director Deb Courtemanche said earlier in the day she was looking forward to the event that would be attended by far more peoplet his year than last.

A keynote address was also given by Master of Ceremonies Robert Chessen, vice president of Brookstone, who spoke about the importance of acheiving excellence in the ever-changing business world.

He spoke of the importance of social media and interacting with people whether they have something nice to say or not, and trying to stay on top of the latest trends for maximum effectiveness.

He urged business owners to try and be as good as possible, as excellent as you can, even with the knowledge that the odds will likely be stacked against you more often than not.

A final total of money raised at the event was unavailable, but according to the program for the night the Chamber has given away more than $20,000 in scholarships.