Membership Dinner / Distinguished Citizen

Chamber Holds Spring Membership & Election Dinner

Earl Gillen honored as Distinguished Citizen

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Foss Livestock, LLC honored as Business of the Year

Members and guests of the Alden Chamber of Commerce enjoyed dinner and an evening together at the Ripa’s Restaurant on Tuesday, May 14th, for the Chamber’s Annual Spring Membership and Election Dinner. Among the guests were family and friends of Earl Gillen, recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year award and Foss Livestock, LLC recipient of the 2019 Business of the Year Award. Chamber Director and Son of Earl Gillen, Shawn Gillen read an impressive biography of Earl’s achievements before announcing him as the 2019 Distinguished Citizen.  Aunts of Foss Livestock, LLC Chamber Director, Kris Rogers and Alden Historian, Karen Muchow, read how Foss Livestock came to be a successful three generation farming business that is always giving back to the Alden Community, before presenting the 2019 Business of the Year Award to owners, James, Craig and Nicholas Foss. Beautiful plaques from Laser Ace Custom Engraving were presented to Earl Gillen and Foss Livestock, LLC. After a delicious dinner and the award presentation, during which proclamations from the Erie County Legislature John Bruso, New York State Senator Patrick Gallivan’s office, Assemblyman Mike Norris’s office, Town and Village of Alden were given to Earl Gillen and Foss Livestock, LLC the crowd was entertained by Alden Village and Town Historian, Karen Muchow. President Galbraith then recounted the Chamber’s accomplishments during the past year and outlined current and future activities, including the Alden Farmers’ Market and upcoming Taste of Alden on July 11th and the 8th annual Chamber Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament on July 27th.  Vice President, Kara Smith thanked all retiring Directors for their years of service on the Board. Chamber Director Richard Kohl then introduced the nominees for a new three-year term on the Chamber Board.  The nominees were: Charlotte Hart (Meals on Wheels), Laura Ross (The Pink Cow), Brooks Bowman (Elwood Jordans Insurance Agency), John Drogi (Drogi Automotive), and Matthew Derenda (Alden Central School).   The Chamber thanks non-returning Kara Smith, Scott Sitzman, and Richard Pasternack for their time and contributions over the past years. Co-sponsors assisting in making this event a success were Gold sponsors:  Alden State Bank, Bene- Care Agency, Creighton Optical, Foss Livestock LLC, and Northeast Property Works, LLC. Silver sponsors: Carbone’s Pizzeria. The Chamber would like to extend their sincere appreciation for the support from these sponsors.  Thank you also to Country Crossroads Florists for donating the beautiful boutonnieres given to Earl Gillen and Foss Livestock, LLC.