The East Bay Chamber will hold its Annual Awards Dinner and Election of 2017 Officers on Date: October 18, 2017 Place: Ramada Banquet & Conference Center 213 Taunton Ave, Seekonk, MA 02771 Time: 5:30 Social Hour | 6:30 Dinner Cost: $50 per person Please support and celebrate our award winners: Citizens of the Year - Betty & Joe Brito Jr. Business of the Year - WaterRower Outstanding Chamber Member -Joe Hozempa Emerging Leader - Brian Barrett
Sponsored by: Platinum Sponsors: BankNewport, Hope & Main, Navigant Credit Union Gold Sponsors: Roger Williams University, WaterRower Silver Sponsors: BankFive, East Commerce Solutions Bronze Sponsors: A.N. Nunes, East Bay Manufacturers, George C. Lima Funeral Home, John Andrade Insurance Agency, Ramada Banquet & Conference Center, RE/MAX River's Edge Real Estate, RichardsTimko, P.C., Slepkow, Slepkow & Associates, Saint Elizabeth Manor, East Bay, Wood's Heating Service, Farmer & First CPA's
Reservations are $50 per person and must be made by Oct. 6th Meal Choices: Chicken Marsala or New England Baked Scrod
Citizens of the Year: Bette & Joe Brito Jr. This couple’s love of community and dedication to volunteer work is exemplary, and their commitment to improving the quality of life in East Bay is an inspiration to those of us who are fortunate enough to live and work in this beautiful area. By their actions and leadership, the Britos have shown that they are truly deserving of this recognition by the East Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Betty Brito is a life-long educator, with many years of service as an English teacher in the Bristol-Warren Public School System, and five years of service as Chairperson of the Mt. Hope High School English Department. She is currently the Executive Director for the RI Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. This organization’s goal is to improve teaching and learning for the benefit of all of Rhode Island’s school aged children. The Christa McAuliffe Fellowship award was awarded to Betty by the U. S. Office of Education in 1990, and in March 2007 she received The Rhode Island 85 award from the Junior League of Rhode Island. She was honored as one of 85 women throughout the state for commitment to the community that exemplifies the spirit, dedication and values of the Junior League of Rhode Island.
Betty is currently involved in a large number of community service organizations and activities, including Friends of the Bristol Animal Shelter and the Linden Place Bicentennial Jubilee. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Rogers Free Library (including service as chair), and of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Rogers Free Library. She also chaired the Capital Campaign for the construction and renovation of the library in 2007 to 2008. She served as a Trustee of the Mount Hope Farm from 1999 until March 2008 and as Secretary of the Trust from 2000 until 2008. She has served St. James Lutheran Church in Barrington in various positions and she has also been an active member of the Junior League of Rhode Island since 1974.
Joseph Brito, Jr., is president of C. Brito Construction Company in Bristol. In addition to being a leader in the region’s construction industry with professional gas, water, sewerage and emergency services, C. Brito Construction strives to be an exemplary community citizen. As Joe Brito has expressed, “We try to make the neighbors members of the team.” Before a major construction project begins, the Brito team introduces themselves to the residents, explains the job, and has even passed out T-Shirts to the children in the neighborhood with the Brito Logo on the front.
Joe’s professional and civic memberships include the following: National Utility Contractors Association, Utility Contractors of Rhode Island and New England, Connecticut Construction Industries Association, Construction Industries of Rhode Island, Northeast Gas Association, American Association of Blasting Professionals, East Bay and Newport Chambers of Commerce, and the Rhode Island State Troopers Association. In March of 2007 he received the “Men Who Make a Difference” award for recognition as one of the East Bay men who make a difference in the lives of others through philanthropic endeavors. This award is given by the Women's Resource Center and of the awards and citations he has received over the years, Joe has stated that this one means the most to him.
His community service involvement includes the Ever-Ready Engine and Hose Company No. 2, Social member, Hydraulion Engine & Hose Company No. 1, Honorary member, Naval War College Foundation-Lifetime Member, Bristol Yacht Club Executive Committee (2007 to present), Bristol Yacht Club Flag Officer (Commodore – 2015-present), Roger Williams University Board of Trustees (2014-present), Co-chair of the Linden Place Bicentennial Jubilee Event, Trustee, Mount Hope Farm (2010 to present), and President of the Mount Hope Farm Trust (2011 to 2014).
Despite their very busy professional lives and responsibilities, as summarized above, Joe and Betty Brito are truly committed to giving back to their community in many, many ways. Their involvement with numerous community groups and their leadership of civic and community projects and initiatives is inspirational, to say the least. The countless hours of volunteer service and leadership provided by this extraordinary couple has certainly improved the quality of life in East Bay. Joe and Betty are held in great esteem by those in our community, as evidenced by their selection as Chief Marshals for the Bristol Fourth of July celebration in 2011.
Business of the Year: WaterRower, 470 Metacom Ave, Warren, was named in 2016 by Governor Raimondo as manufacturer of the year. Peter King their President/CEO has made a substantial commitment of several million dollars to expand their facilities to keep their HQ and manu-facturing plant her e on the East Bay. Even though they have a worldwide market they continue to grow, hire and train employees locally. Chamber Member of the Year: Joe Hozempa is President of Round Two LLC. Round Two focuses on delivering your business message and building valuable assets that better define the way your business is positioned in the marketplace. Joe is responsible for promoting your company brand and helping your company grow through branding, advertising and creative platforms. Joe's Creative Platforms develop marketing communications focused on lead generation – bringing relevant people to your business. Hozempa also hosts a talk radio show on WBLQ called the Business Roundtable - A weekly radio program highlighting business accomplishments, affairs, and resources offered to the entrepreneur in all of us. Joe has 21 years experience in marketing and sales he holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Rhode Island College. Joe is the Chairperson of the Ambassadors committee, and has been a great asset to developing the committee's charge. Emerging Leader: Brian Barrett has been a tremendous help to the East Bay Chamber, actively participating in 3 committees. He has jumped in and helped out almost everywhere needed and does so with a positive attitude and a willingness to do what is best for the chamber and its members.. Brian is someone that you can always count on to finish whatever task he has been given. He attends ribbon cuttings, business networking and events.