Amy Krzanik reports from Stockbridge. The night was sweltering but the mood was festive at the Norman Rockwell Museum, as The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored its 2013 Business Person of the Year, Eugene A. Dellea, on Wednesday, September 11. Mr. Dellea is the President of BMC's Hillcrest Campus and Fairview Hospital, which is celebrating 100 years in the community this year, as well as the longest-serving Town Moderator in Massachusetts' history (West Stockbridge, since 1965). A cocktail reception kicked off the night, with hors d'oeuvres from Castle Street Cafe and wine and beer from Domaney's, Big Elm Brewing, and Cellarbration. A tribute followed, with speakers Chamber President Pat Seward, State Representative William “Smitty" Pignatelli, 2012 Business Person of the Year Ed McCormick, and Dan Johnson, representing U.S. Representative Richard Neal's office, offering congratulations to Dellea and extolling his virtues. While Mr. Dellea's accomplishments are too numerous to list here, speakers offered up instances of his fine leadership and negotiation skills, his interest in education and mentoring, his care and compassion for patients and friends, and his tireless dedication to those in need. Indeed, Dellea truly does fit the Chamber's list of qualities for Person of the Year. (Pictured above: Eugene Dellea and Barbara Alibozek).
Kim Obanhein, Matt Emprimo, and Board Member Vijay Mahida; Ruth McCormick and last year's Business Person of the Year, Ed McCormick.
Penny Hudnut and Cheryl Raifstanger; David Bruce, David Phelps, and Reggie Cooper.
Country Curtains CEO Bill Booth, Attorney Catherine Chester, and Board Member Melissa Lydon; Linda Febles and Gerard Burke.
Gene Dellea and SBCC President Pat Seward; Trent Rivers, Kristina Vaselewski, and Dan Kinney.
Meredith Tiedemann, Jody Law, and SBCC Vice President Richard Aldrich; Ellen Kennedy and Susan Lombard.
Mark De Celle and Michaela Dohoney; Ray Murray, SBCC Secretary Scott Rote, and Ruth McCormick.
Bonnie Masefield, Jane Curtin, and Pete Mirante; Mike Tucker and SBCC Executive Director Betsy Andrus.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
