Bernie Brown the recipient of the 61st Annual Shapiro Award
Watertown (WWTI) -- Wednesday afternoon The Greater Watertown – North Country Chamber of Commerce announced that Bernard “Bernie” H. Brown, Jr. has been named the 2012 recipient of the prestigious Shapiro Award.
Mr. Brown is the Chief Executive Officer of Bernier Carr Associates, P.C., a company he has been with since 1984. Starting with the firm as the first Architect in a firm of Engineers and Surveyors, Bernie has led a steady path of growth and expansion that has made the architectural division what it is today. His professional expertise is recognized in the North Country construction industry and beyond.
According to Mr. Brown’s nominator, Dan Villa, the 2008 Shapiro Award Recipient, “Probably one of the most important attributes of good citizenship that Bernie emulates is to lead by example; there are so many things he has done, anonymously and without fanfare, to make our community a better place. Good citizenship is part of his character and who he is as a man, they are inextricable”. Mr. Brown is a graduate of the Jefferson Leadership Institute, has served as Chair of the American Heart Association Heart Walk and continues to be a member of the Executive Leadership Team. He and his wife Beverly were the Co-Chairs of the 2000 Mayor’s Ball. He also leads the BCA community volunteer efforts with BCA Relay For Life Team, Adopt a Platoon, Hospice Angel Tree, and Jefferson Community College Alumni Scholarship Program. He has served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Northern New York Community Foundation, and has served as Senior Warden of the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown. Bernie has also served on numerous boards including the YMCA, Boy Scouts, and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.
Rande Richardson, Executive Director of Northern New York Community Foundation and 2002 Shapiro Award Recipient, said of Mr. Brown, “He always strives to be on the cutting edge of affecting the region for the better, both professionally and personally…I have witnessed several incidences of Bernie’s willingness to extend a helping hand to an individual or organization in need. This type of humble leadership is all too rare, but, inspirational nonetheless”.
The award will be formally presented at a dinner hosted by the Greater Watertown –North Country Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 7, 2013, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Watertown, beginning at 6:00pm. Reservations can be made by contacting the Greater Watertown – North Country Chamber of Commerce at 1241 Coffeen Street or online at www.watertownny.com.
This event is sponsored by ABC 50/The North Country CW and Slack Chemical Co. Inc. The award was established by Arnold I. Shapiro to honor the memory of his father, a long time business leader in the community. A director of the Chamber at the time of his father’s death in 1952, Mr. Shapiro sensed a need in Watertown for a symbolic annual recognition of exceptional leadership on behalf of our city. Over the years, the award has been presented to many deserving individuals for their contributions and service to our community.
This award is made on the basis of outstanding citizenship or for outstanding contribution in civic or social welfare activity. Entries were judged on five key areas (outstanding citizenship, achievement, leadership, dedication, and motivation) by a panel of past Shapiro Recipients.
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