Business of the Year – Mark Cerrone Inc.
Mark Cerrone, Inc. is Western New York’s Premier Site Contracting and Construction Company. Founded in 1999 and located in Niagara Falls New York they specialize in the highest caliber quality construction services throughout WNY. They excel in specialized and challenging projects that need to be completed in a safe and timely manner. From major public projects to industrial plant maintenance, their clients include the State of New York, the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, many local towns, and major industries including Occidental Chemical, Olin, DuPont, and more.
Business Person of the Year – Mark Laurrie
Mr. Mark Laurrie, is currently the Superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District. Understanding the importance of educating students in skilled trades and the need for a sustainable workforce, Mr. Laurrie introduced new programming into the school district. This program introduces trades, electrical, plumbing, engineering etc., into the classrooms as early as fourth grade. By allowing students to learn these valuable skills, they are being prepared for successful careers in highly needed fields. He has also created an internship program that allows students to go into the workplace and learn from the experts.
Groundbreaking Award – Excelsior Orthopaedics
Excelsior Orthopaedics has opened a much larger facility in Niagara Falls, where new non-surgical and diagnostic services will complement existing care for patients with shoulder, knee, hip, and other ailments. The Niagara Falls expansion will lessen the need for local patients to travel outside Niagara County to receive advanced orthopedic care It has grown to include facilities in Buffalo, East Amherst, Orchard Park, Elma, and Niagara Falls.
Industry Insider Award for Tourism – Destination Niagara USA
Destination Niagara uses the tagline, “Your Niagara Falls USA Adventure Awaits.” And through the County’s tourism organization, they work to ensure visitors from all over the world come here to the many wonderful attractions Niagara County has to offer.
Industry Insider Award for Agriculture – Niagara Wine Trail USA
The Niagara Wine Trail “An array of wineries and attractions rich in history await visitors of the beautiful countryside of New York’s Niagara Wine Trail. Stretching just more than 60 miles across Niagara, Orleans, and Monroe counties, the Niagara Wine Trail was established in 2002 – minutes from Niagara Falls and a short trip from the Buffalo and Rochester areas.” The Wine Trail has done an amazing job of promoting Niagara County’s wineries, just one facet of the rich agricultural economy in the region.
Father Joseph L. Levesque Award for Community Advocacy – Susan Geissler
Susan Geissler is nationally known for her amazing sculptures that have placed her among the elite designers of the human form in the United States. In Niagara County, she has worked on everything from the Journeymen statues at the Lockport Locks to the Tuscarora Heroes Monument to the Freedom Crossing Monument and Nik Wallenda. Her sculptures capture so much of the rich history of the County and her wonderful bronzes bring to life the moments that have shaped the region.
Green Initiative Award sponsored by National Grid – Olin Corporation
Olin is strongly committed to excellence in protecting the environment, health, safety, and security of their employees and those who live and work around their plants. Olin operations worldwide comply with all local requirements and implement other standards as required to protect the environment, health, safety, and security of their operations. Their safety, health, and environmental goals are designed to sustain their drive to Zero incidents. Relentlessly and responsibly. They constantly emphasize the importance of monitoring the safety, security, and environmental impact of their plants. Through day-to-day vigilance, Olin strives to be recognized as one of the industry’s best performers.