The 6th annual UVM Grossman School of Business Family Business Awards honored five family businesses at a ceremony in the UVM Davis Center.
Every year the Grossman School of Business recognizes those alumni and Vermont based businesses that have achieved lasting success, and demonstrated a commitment to creating sustainable business through leadership and vision.
This year’s honorees, recognized for their ability to overcome challenging succession issues and for contributions to community and industry, included a dance shoe company, resort destination, heavy equipment dealer, maple syrup producer and a regional truck dealer.
An independent judging panel, composed of past winners, alumni, and local business owners, selected Vermont-based businesses or out-of-state businesses run by UVM's alumni based on the following criteria: financial success; governance structures; contributions to the community and industry; and innovative business practices or strategies.
Dr. Pramodita Sharma, the Daniel Clark Sanders Chair & Professor of Family Business at the Grossman School of Business, told the assembled crowd “Each of our winners has demonstrated a commitment to creating sustainable business through leadership and innovation.”
The 2017 winners were:
Multi-Generational Global Family Enterprise Award
Cardinal Shoe Corporation was founded in 1962 by Harry Bass and now manufactures dance and ballet pointe shoes. Their factory in Lawrence, MA, produces hundreds of pairs every day, and are used by leading dancers at almost every major ballet company in the world including American Ballet Theatre, The Boston Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet, The Mariinsky Ballet, The Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and many more. The award was accepted by Richard Bass.
Vermont Legacy Family Enterprise Award
Basin Harbor Resort & Boat Club is a Vermont lake vacation destination, with accommodations, dining and multiple recreation facilities. A seasonal resort, Basin Harbor Club spans 700 acres of lakeside and countryside. Today, the resort is run by 4th Generation siblings, Bob & Pennie Beach, along with 5th Generation Director of Sales, Sarah Morris, who accepted the award.
Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks is an 8th generation maple syrup producer. In addition to syrup production, they also produce and sell a wide range of Vermont and maple based products, and host upwards of 60,000 visitors to their sugarhouse annually. Burr Morse accepted the award.
Multi-Generational US Family Enterprise Award
Foley Incorporated, is the Caterpillar (Cat) dealer based in Piscataway, NJ. The Foley family traces its roots to their first Mitchell dealership established in 1911 and has spanned three generations of the Foley family. Foley are one of the leading Caterpillar (Cat) dealers in the region, selling, leasing, renting, servicing and financing heavy Cat equipment and machinery. Ryan Foley accepted the award.
New England Kenworth, is a group of Kenworth dealerships located throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The business has been family owned and operated since 1917, and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Considered the largest truck dealer group in New England, the business is proud to now include the 4th generation of the Alosa family in its ranks. The award was accepted by Denise Alosa.