Mountain Center Physical Therapy receives Employer of Year Award

Betsy Donovan of Mountain Center Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab received the Employer of the Year Award at the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce's fifth annual Business to Business Expo last week.Other award recipients included Laurie Savoy, of Smart Move Cleaning, Fledgling Entrepreneur of the Year; Marti Mayne, of Maynely Marketing, Entrepreneur of the Year; and Conway Elementary School, Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award.The awards were presented t the Business to Business Expo held at Mount Washington Hotel.Employer of the Year goes to a business owner who recognizes that providing quality products and services to customers starts with considering the needs of the employees. Mountain Center Physical Therapy employees who nominated Donovan described her as "the consummate professional practicing her specialty with expertise and integrity; willing to give freely of her services in situations where she has nothing to gain beyond personal satisfaction; and providing very well for her employees." Donovan was honored for the personal sacrifices she's made for her business and its employees. Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award was given to Conway Elementary School for its school store. The store, which carries school-related products, gifts and food items for students and faculty, provides hands-on learning while raising funds for school activities and causes. Bartlett Elementary School and Kennett High School were also mentioned in comments provided by Tom Chasse, Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce president, for excellence in their school stores. Fledgling Entrepreneur of the Year Award, given each year to a person under 40 responsible for growing a company for more than two years and exemplifying the start-up process, went to Laurie Savoy of Smart Move Cleaning. Starting her business in 1996 with a flyer at Patches Market, Laurie was recognized for entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to take a risk. Smart Move Cleaning has grown to eight employees who are earning an hourly rate more than 50 percent higher than the average pay found in like businesses in the market. Entrepreneur of the Year Award, given to an individual who has maintained management excellence over a sustained period of time, was awarded to Marti Mayne of Maynely Marketing. Mayne was recognized for 15 years of dedicated promotion of travel and tourism, including 13 years of promotion of Mount Washington Valley, and for becoming a leading public relations firm for the bed and breakfast industry.All award recipients received trophies provided by Glass Graphics and credits toward memberships to the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce for the 2003-04 year. For more information, contact Janice Crawford, executive director, at 356-5701.