Commerce Chenango will host its annual awards Gala on Thursday evening, June 12 at the Genegantslet Golf Course in Greene. Register now using the events calendar at commercechenango.com. (Submitted photo)

By Sophia Root,

Commerce Chenango

Commerce Chenango will host its annual awards Gala on Thursday evening, June 12 at the Genegantslet Golf Course in Greene. The Gala is a celebration of businesses and business owners chosen for their accomplishments and achievements this past year.

“I am looking forward to honoring our award recipients at our Gala celebration,” noted Commerce Chenango President & CEO, Sal Testani. “These distinguished award winners work every day to make Chenango County a tremendous place to visit, work and live.”

The event begins with networking at 5:30 p.m, with dinner and the awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Grady Thompson.

One of the most coveted awards, Entrepreneur of the Year, known as “The Sammy”, is given to an individual or business that illustrates creativity and imagination and has a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Commerce Chenango wishes to thank Mark Golden of Golden Artist Colors for continuing the tradition of providing the Sammy Award, named after his father, Sam Golden, a true entrepreneur.

This year’s Entrepreneur of the Year award will be presented to Terry Potter.

Potter, former Mayor of New Berlin, has many business and philanthropic ventures such as: Interconnect Wireless, Millenia Entertainment, Children’s Home of Chenango County, and Toys for Tots. As the Norwich Coordinator of Toys for Tots, Potter helped distribute 5,477 toys to 1,226 kids in 2024. Potter serves as the Director of the Children’s Home of Chenango County, which recently opened a location on Virginia Lane in Norwich. Potter has been integral to growing the footprint of the Children’s Home in Norwich to what it is today.

The Commitment to Community Award will be presented to UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

This award is given annually to the member whose mission and work visibly improve the quality of life in Chenango County. Since 1912, Chenango Memorial Hospital has been serving our community as the only hospital in Chenango County. With many primary care destinations throughout the county and their current hospital expansion, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is making quality healthcare accessible to our rural community.

Sundown Golf and Country Club is the 2025 recipient of the Small Business of the Year.

The award is presented to a standout organization that exhibits excellence in their business practices and enhances their community. Owners Bryan Birdsall and Ian Rood installed a new deck, revitalized the clubhouse, and affirmed Sundown’s placement as a hidden gem in Guilford, NY.

Kerry Bioscience, recipient of the Business Member of Distinction award, directly supports the community through donations and volunteerism. As a manufacturing center for biopharma and pharma raw material components and applied health and nutrition ingredients, Kerry in Norwich provides products for billions of consumers worldwide.

The Gala is open to the public, register now using the events calendar at commercechenango.com. This year’s event sponsors are Blueox, NBT Bank and NBT Insurance Agency.