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| Past Winners |
Winner of the 2009 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business:
Nicole Samolis, President of The Events Company |
 Nicole Samolis, CSEP is the president and founder of The Events Company. Since launching the business in 1996 Nicole has become a leader and mentor in the event industry. She has a BPS Degree in Fashion Design and Business Management from Marist College (Poughkeepsie, New York).
Raised in an entrepreneurial family, the transition into the world of business ownership was a comfortable transition. Nicole’s enthusiasm, tenacity, and entrepreneurial instincts enabled her to steadily grow the business.
Ms. Samolis leads the business development, team development, and creative for The Events Company. She has over 20 years experience in sales, business development and operations, product design and presentation, project management, and human resource training and development with 12 of those years specifically in Event Management.
Ms. Samolis is an adjunct professor in Syracuse University’s School of Human Ecology Hospitality Management program.
Nicole has a firm belief in being involved in the community. She is the incoming President of WBOC, board member of WISE Advisory Board, founding board member of Entrepreneurial Society of CNY, President of Signature Music, and board member of Zonta Club of Syracuse, Chair of Syracuse CVB Green Meetings Task Force. She is also a member of ISES (International Special Events Society), Women President’s Organization, and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. |
Winner of the 2009 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for
High Growth Venture:
Rita L. Reicher, Ph.D., President of KS&R |
 Rita L. Reicher is President of KS&R, a global provider of market research and consulting firm employing over 350 people and headquartered in Syracuse, New York. KS&R is listed as #39 on the Honomichl List of the Top 50 US-based market research firms and was ranked #1 in customer satisfaction based on a 2007 Survey of Market Research Supplier Quality and Value.
Rita is a Founding Principal of KS&R and has served in a leadership position in the company since its founding in 1983. In addition to her executive responsibilities as President, she directs KS&R’s research efforts requiring advanced research methods, including market opportunity sizing, pricing and segmentation analysis. KS&R’s clients include a broad array of global companies such as AT&T, Avaya, FedEx and IBM.
Prior to founding KS&R, Rita served as a Research Fellow with the Syracuse Research Corporation. She is a graduate of William Smith College and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University.
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Winner of the 2008 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business:
Theresa Slater, President of Empire Interpreting Service |
 Theresa Slater is the President of Empire Interpreting Service, a business that provides Sign Language and Spoken Language Interpreters throughout NY State, NY City and Northern Pennsylvania. Theresa launched her enterprise in 2003 as a home based business serving only Cortland and Tompkins counties. Five years later the business has two locations, one in Cortland County and one in downtown Syracuse, with 6 full time staff employees and over 140 Interpreters/Translators now serving much of the northeast.
Theresa attended NTID @RIT and Gallaudet University, obtaining her BS in Cultural Studies through Empire State College. Theresa has been involved in many organizations serving the deaf community and promoting professionalism within the Interpreting profession. Prior to the opening of her agency, she spearheaded a local deaf outreach, which served hundreds of deaf individuals across NY State. She was also a founding member of ISN (Interpreter Support Network), networking Interpreters serving in rural areas of NY State.
She is on the advisory board of Women Ties and coauthors “Ask the Entrepreneurs” column for the Syracuse Post Standard. She is a sought after speaker, presenting workshops on professionalism, marketing and entrepreneurship. For more information, visit: www.empireinterpreting.com
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Winner of the 2008 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for High Growth Venture:
Michele Bellso, Founder and President of Make and Take Gourmet |
 Michele Bellso is the Founder and President of Make and Take Gourmet, a chain of meal assembly kitchens. Make and Take Gourmet is a ground breaking new way to solve the dinner-time dilemma through a meal preparation service designed to ease the stresses of everyday life. We have turned homemade into self make. The goal is to provide quality and diversity to daily meals combined with an exciting and unique experience. In just over a year the company has grown to 18 stores, with more on the way. We have reinvented the process of cooking by turning it into a social activity. Our customers save time, save money, and enjoy high quality homemade food with less stress and less mess. Michele is also the President of a full-service advertising and marketing agency – Designworks Advertising that was established in 1992. Designworks has successfully helped national and international clients with the development of strategic marketing programs, branding, and creative development of award-winning advertising materials.
Michele was formerly the Advertising and Promotions Director for Bonwit Teller, a chain or upscale women’s apparel and accessories. She is a graduate of Syracuse University with a dual major in Advertising from the Newhouse School and Marketing from the School of Management.
Michele resides in Syracuse, New York with her husband Dave and 4-year old daughter Julianna.
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Winner of the 2007 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for High Growth Venture:
Doreen Garrett, President and CEO of Otis Technology |
Doreen Garrett is the President and CEO of Otis Technology, Inc. which she founded 22 years ago at age 16 after she patented a compact gun cleaning kit. Currently Otis is the leading manufacturer of firearms maintenance systems regarded by professional firearm users as the most advanced gun care system in the World. Otis products are in service today with the armed forces, FBI, DEA, and law enforcement agencies.
Doreen has taken her small business from the family home to a recently expanded 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in rural Lewis County, New York. Responding to her employees’ compelling need for day care in this rural community, Doreen opened a new $1 million day care center just steps away from the manufacturing facility in 2006.
Doreen received her bachelor’s degree in Business from SUNY Institute of Technology and is the President of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce, on the board of the Lewis County IDA, Lewis County Hospital Board of Managers, Lewis County Economic Development Zone, HSBC Central Region Advisory Board, is a corporate member of the Association of US Army and Young Presidents Organization (YPO). She resides in Turin with her husband and two daughters Ariana, 17 and Ondraya, 14.
Doreen’s achievements include: 2002 NYS Senate Woman of Distinction, 2003 DOD Award for Outstanding Support in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2004 Inducted to NYS Small Business Hall of Fame, 2004 NYS Small Business Woman of the Year, and in 2005 SBA National Award for Outstanding Woman in Business. For more information on Otis Technology, Inc., visit: http://www.otisgun.com/. |
Winner of the 2007 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business:
Carol R. Fletcher, President and Owner of C. R. Fletcher Associates |
Carol R. Fletcher is the President and Owner of C. R. Fletcher Associates, a full service recruiting and contracting firm handling clients on a nationwide basis. Her career includes close to twenty five years in the field of recruitment and staffing. She has a staff handling executive level, administrative, temporary and contract recruiting.
Carol’s professional affiliations and associations include: Lemoyne College Board of Trustees – Executive Committee, Syracuse 20/20, Christian Brothers Academy Board of Trustees, Oncenter Complex Board of Directors, WISE Board of Directors, Community General Hospital Foundation – past Chair, Chamber of Commerce Board Member - Executive Committee, Lemoyne College Board of Regents, past Chair (1995 – 1999), Vice Chair (1994 – 1995, and Secretary 1992 – 1994), Lemoyne College Alumni Board of Governors, past member, and WISE Conference Presenter in 2003, 2004, 2007.
Carol has also been active in chairing several local non-profit events in the Syracuse community including: House of Providence Dinner, Community General Foundation Dinner, Co-chair Community General Hospital Family Golf 2002, Lemoyne College Founders Day Dinner and the Northeast Community’s Centers Hall of Fame. For more on C.R. Fletcher Associates Inc., visit: http://www.crfletcher.com/. |
| Winner of the 2006 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for High Growth Venture: April Stone, Central New York Infusion Services |
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April Stone is CEO of Central New York Infusion Services. She started her company in 1994. CNY Infusion Services provides high-tech home infusion therapy in the safe, comfortable environment of patient’s homes. The Company provides infusion medications along with equipment and specialized nursing allowing patients to leave the hospital sooner. A local infusion industry leader, CNY Infusion focuses on delivering the highest quality of care using the latest technology in home infusion treatments. April has grown the company from nothing to the largest infusion company in the area. She entered into a partnership with St. Josephs’, Franciscan Management Services, in 1999. April participates on the Advisory Counsel of the new Golisano Children’s Hospital, is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected foster children, participated on the Board of Canine Working Companions and was Chairperson of the Logistics Committee for the first Women Build through Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. For more on CNY Infusion Services visit: www.cnyinfusion.com |
| Winner of the 2006 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business: Suzanne Kondra-DeFuria, Potter Heating & Air Conditioning |
M. Suzanne Kondra-DeFuria is President of Potter Heating & Air Conditioning, a commercial and residential business founded in 1944. The firm provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and services as well as metal fabrication. Suzanne believes that education and the golden rule are what make her an effective leader. In 1986 she was the only woman to complete a mentorship program in the Syracuse Builder’s Exchange for women and minorities. She was the first woman elected President of the Syracuse Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, and was recently re-elected for her fourth year as President.
Suzanne received the 2006 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award from the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. CNY Business Journal honored her as one of their 2006 Women in Business
Suzanne is a cancer survivor for over 2 years. “A positive outlook makes a big difference. You can’t let it take you down,” she says. Indeed, this diagnosis and subsequent treatment did not slow her down in either her personal accomplishments or business as evidenced by their double-digit growth during this period and significant volunteer contributions.
For more on Potter Heating & Air Conditioning, visit: http://www.potter-perrone.com. |
| Winner of the 2005 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business: Anne Messenger, President, Messenger Associates, Inc. |
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In 1997, Anne Messenger founded Messenger Associates, Inc., a company that specializes in career management and human resources consulting. Anne has led the company as its president since inception, and grown the company to its current size with offices in Syracuse and Binghamton. As a widowed single mother, Messenger juggled the demands of growing her business with raising an infant daughter, and today has created a well known regional brand in human resources. Anne Messenger is a respected leader and voice in the Syracuse community. She has served on numerous boards including the Museum of Science and Technology Foundation, Syracuse Stage, Leadership Greater Syracuse, and the United Negro College Fund. She is a founding member of the Syracuse Chapter of the Women Presidents’ Organization. For more on Messenger Associates, visit http://amgr.com/. |
| Winner of the 2005 Ann Michel Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for High Growth Venture: Aminy Audi, Stickley, Audi & Co. |
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Our corporate philosophy goes beyond making America's finest furniture for America's most discriminating customers. It is the story of attracting, developing and nurturing people - the outstanding people who add excitement, experience, creativity and new ideas to our corporate structure. Our commitment is both to a vision for the future and to the people who have been selected to get us there. It has been said, "Reputation is precious but character is priceless." The measure of one's character is not what one gets from ancestors but what one leaves to descendants. At Stickley we are keenly aware and justifiably proud of the legacy generated by Gustav and Leopold Stickley. Here in our state of the art plant in Manlius, New York, that same commitment to honest Craftmanship is still revered. Our challenge is not merely to continue that legacy, but to enhance it, constantly looking for new and creative ideas in our ongoing search for excellence. At Stickley the family tradition continues. For more on Stickley, Audi & Co., visit http://www.stickleyaudi.com/. |
| Winner of the 2004 WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur Award for Small Business: Julie Briggs, Syracuse Gift Basket. |
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Julie Briggs, President, Syracuse Gift Basket Company
Julie Briggs is the president of the Syracuse Gift Basket Company, a 6 year old corporate gift service which began as a part-time home-based operation. She developed the business into a thriving full-time venture occupying 3000 square feet in a commercial location. Syracuse Gift Basket has maintained a 20-25% annual growth rate and currently has 2 part time employees and about 15 seasonal employees.
Julie has been invited to teach at the national convention for her industry which is held at the Boston Gift Show. Her company has been honored there two years in a row as one of the “Top 100” gift basket companies nationally. The award is based on revenue, growth and product offering.
She is the president of the Women Business Owners Connection, a support and networking organization dedicated to helping women achieve entrepreneurial success. After taking over the presidency, she reorganized the leadership team to address the changing needs of the group; WBOC has grown to approximately 175 members. She is the former chairperson of the WISE (Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) Advisory Board and has served on the board of directors for Vera House, a shelter for battered women and their children.
Julie co-authors the “Ask the Entrepreneurs” column for the Syracuse Post Standard and has written articles for Gift Basket Review, the trade magazine in her industry. She received the 2003 “WISE Distinguished Entrepreneur” award, the 2003 “40 under 40” award, and the 2005 “Women in Business award”. For more information, visit http://syracusegiftbasket.com/. |
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