Announcing 24th annual Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards – Bestowed Award Recipients

WRITTEN BY: JESSICA POTTS

Niagara’s business community will recognize its finest entrepreneurs on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala. Recipients will be announced in nine juried categories, in addition to recognizing two bestowed award recipients.

The celebration takes place at White Oaks – itself, a shining local example of an entrepreneurial vision brought to life. This year Len Pennachetti joins White Oaks’ founder, George Wakil (2005 recipient) in receiving the prestigious bestowed Lifetime Achievement Award. Larry Boggio will receive the Jan R. Cook Community Contribution Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Len Pennachetti

From his early days as one of the first farmers to plant the noble grape varietals of Europe in Ontario, to his forward-thinking integration of Niagara wine and tourism, Len Pennachetti has worked to define the future of the Niagara Peninsula.

Len and his family partnered with winemaker and long-time friend Angelo Pavan to found Cave Spring Cellars in the picturesque village of Jordan in the mid-80s. Believing in the marriage of wine, food and hospitality, he and wife, Helen Young, founded OnTheTwenty Restaurant in 1993, and later added accommodations to the equation with Inn On The Twenty. Len has been the driving force in the transformation of Jordan Village from a sleepy hamlet into a bustling tourism hub.

He has been an advocate for the entire region, having played an instrumental role in the founding of Ontario’s appellation control system and the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA), serving as the organization’s President and Chair, overseeing the passage into provincial legislation of the Vintners Quality Alliance Act of 1999.

Jan R. Cook Community Contribution Award – Larry Boggio

Larry Boggio is the owner of Boggio's Pharmacy Ltd. A graduate of the University of Toronto's Pharmacy Program, Larry has a 35-year history as a Pharmacist and business owner, having grown his business to four stores in communities across Niagara - Fonthill, Niagara Falls, Ridgeway and Port Colborne. He now proudly employs over 160 individuals across these communities.

His volunteer governance experience includes Past President of the Ontario College of Pharmacists, Elected District Member of the College of Pharmacists' Council, Board Member of Bridges Community Health Centre, and Past Chair of Port Colborne Community Living.

Larry is currently a Board member of Niagara Health System, the National Advisory Board for McKesson Canada and Port Colborne Community Living.

Larry supports many community organizations, including the South Niagara United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Port Cares, Showboat Theatre, Wellspring Niagara, Cancer Society, The Port Colborne Operatic Society, Author Series, Heart and Stroke Foundation, local sports teams and many local charity events.

Find out more and purchase your gala tickets at www.niagaraentrepreneur.com. 

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Jessica Potts has spent the past 15 years working with entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and live their dreams. She is the President of Inspired Strategy Group Inc. and Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Learn more at www.inspiredstrategy.ca

Twitter: @NEYAwards / @inspiredNiagara / @Inspired_Strat

This article originally appeared in The Business Link Niagara.