AMHERST, NY – Amherst Chamber of Commerce President/CEO A. J Baynes announces that five local small businesses are being honored at the Chamber’s annual Small Business Showcase and Awards Luncheon sponsored by KeyBank.
“Many people think it’s the big companies that keep the economy going,” says Baynes. “The fact is small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. every year. We are honoring these companies for being the backbone of our local economy.”
The honorees are:
Hover Networks, Small Business of the Year Award
Hover Networks is Western New York’s largest cloud phone provider and serves more than 1,000 companies in every U.S. state and ten countries. Its technology sends your phone messages to your email, gives companies the ability to text their customers’ cellphones and allows picture messaging from their business phones.
Tommyrotter Distillery, KeyBank-Sponsored Award
The business went public in 2015 with Robert Finan and Sean Insalaco, who left their careers, inspired to start from the ground up an enterprise all their own. The two rely on handcrafted processes as they create their spirits using New York State grains. Tommyrotter produces American Gin, Bourbon Barrel Gin, Triple Barrel American Whiskey and Small Batch Vodka on its production floor in Buffalo’s Historic Hydraulic District.
Atwal Eye Care, Excellence Award
The practice was founded almost 40 years ago and was one of the first to offer laser-assisted cataract surgery and other eye correcting procedures. Father and son team, Amar and Ephraim Atwal have performed more than 80,000 cataract and refractive surgeries. Their combined expertise is recognized nationally and has established the practice as a Center for Excellence.
Audrey Hall, Eco Serve Pest Services, Women Business Enterprise Award
Two generations of Audrey Hall’s family have been providing pest services to families and businesses, and now Audrey, joined by her husband, is continuing the tradition. Audrey’s management training from the University at Buffalo not only prepared her to take over the reins of Eco Serve Pest Services, it has helped her win accolades from national pest programs.
Ace Flag &Visual Promotion, Family-Owned Business Award
For the Vossellers, Jane, Geoff, son Chad and son-in-law Peter, flags are a family affair, since acquiring Ace Flag Company 34 years ago. Each family member brings his or her own unique talent to the business, helping it grow and evolve from flags and flagpoles to signs and banners!
The Chamber is also honoring the service of longtime Chamber member, Tim Kwiatkowski from the Bank of Akron who is receiving the Friend of the Chamber Award.
More than 350 people will be in attendance, including the following elected officials: State Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Assemblyman Ray Walter and Erie County Legislator Ed Rath.
