United Regional Chamber Announces Person, Business of the Year & ATHENA Award Recipients

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce Announces Its 2014 Person of the Year,    Business of the Year and ATHENA Award Recipients  The United Regional Chamber of Commerce announces its recipients of the 2014 Person of the Year, Business of the Year and ATHENA awards. The awards will be presented at the Chamber's Annual Meeting & Luncheon on Nov. 13 at Franklin Country Club, 672 East Central St., Franklin, 11:30 a.m. The cost is $45; pre-paid registration required. RSVP by calling the Chamber at 508-222-0801.   PERSON OF THE YEAR Ted Dion Edward A. "Ted" Dion has been named the Chamber's Person of the Year. Owner and president of E.A. Dion Inc., Ted serves in an array of volunteer and charitable activities. He is a director/incorporator of Bristol County Savings Bank, and serves on the boards of Attleboro YMCA, Bishop Feehan High School, St. Mary's Foundation, United Way of Greater Attleboro/Taunton, and Sturdy Memorial Hospital Foundation. He is a Good Scout Award recipient from the Anawon Council Boy Scouts and established the E.A. Dion Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit St. Mary's Sacred Heart School. "Ted is the most philanthropic individual I know," wrote nominator Todd Richardson. "He is extremely generous with his time as well as finances. He has no agenda and very quietly does more than most. He does this all in generosity and not for accolades."     BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Attleboro Jewelers will be recognized as the Chamber's Business of the Year. Based in Attleboro, the jewelry store has been in business for 19 years. Founded by Nancy Young in 1982, G. Austin Young (dba Attleboro Jewelers) was originally established to advise five of the leading jewelry manufacturing companies in the Providence-Attleboro area. The company now attracts thousands to downtown Attleboro annually and employs 25 people. "Attleboro Jewelers supports myriad community and civic causes," said nominator Kelly Fox. "In spite of very challenging times for the jewelry industry, Attleboro Jewelers has experienced consistent growth, often in the double digit range annually. It is a business that is here to stay and is an anchor for the downtown business district." Attleboro Jewelers was also nominated by Ken Abrahams for Business of the Year.    ATHENA AWARD RECIPIENT Candace Sallale Candace Sallale will be awarded the international ATHENA Award at the Chamber's annual meeting. The ATHENA Award is presented to individuals who have achieved a high degree of professional excellence and have assisted women in developing their full potential. Founder and owner of Sallale Financial Services, LLC, Candace founded the Trust Alliance of Professionals in 2011 and serves on boards at the Central Congregational Church of Attleboro Falls and the Hockomock YMCA Board of Directors. Additionally, Candace has conducted several workshops advising women on their financial needs and how to protect their assets. An active member in the Women's Success Network (WSN) since 2003, Candace played a pivotal role in the WSN Scholarship Program which supports non-traditional female students who wish to continue their education. Since 2005, when Candace personally undertook a number of fund-raising initiatives to expand the WSN scholarship program, the organization has distributed $75,000 in scholarships. "Candace is an advocate, mentor and a role model for other women," write nominators Maureen Wilkinson and Roxanne Richard. "She has demonstrated her 'can do' attitude time and time again and clearly embodies ATHENA award attributes."

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