The Business Council of Greater Montgomery hosted its second annual dinner event on November 2 at Pleasantly Divine Stables, where members and attendees celebrated the council and its partners’ achievements.

Formed in 2020, the council aims to promote economic growth by supporting, educating and preserving Montgomery’s local businesses. The council hosts several events and programs throughout the year, including Tri-Montgomery and its POWER committees that prepare high school students as they enter the workforce.

Residents, council members and business owners got the opportunity to chat, chow down, enjoy cider and whiskey and listen to live music courtesy of Nina and the Blender Brothers.

Council members Randi Picarello and Dickie Baxter spoke before the crowd, starting with a brief board meeting with several updates. The two announced newly elected officials joining their council, called out the winning numbers for the dinner’s raffles and shared the results of their Entrepreneurial Success Program.

“We relaunched the Entrepreneurship Success Program to great reception. I’m proud to announce that as of today, they have successfully graduated 20 aspiring, struggling, evolving and growing business owners, with an additional 10 slated to graduate on November 15,” Picarello said regarding the program.

Picarello also touched on the council’s partnership with the Valley Central School District, giving even more students access to programs that will help them find and succeed in their career choices.

“This year marks year three of collaborating with the Valley Central School District to work these learning programs and integrating our students with our businesses to allow them to experience diverse career options and the many career paths or the many possible paths to get there. We are committed to keeping our district competitive and progressive with certifications and programming,” she explained.

Picarello then reflected on the council’s Tri-Montgomery event held last month and commended its runners for braving through the day’s rainy weather.

“We had a 20 percent increase in participants this year, and each one of them finished safely and happily despite less-than-ideal conditions. There were some tears, there was a 14-year-old legitimately saying prayers and everyone had a great time…we look forward to building this event area-wide next year,” she said.

Lastly, Picarello and Baxter announced four winners for the council’s award program, starting with Cesar Bobadilla Jr., owner of Cesar’s Drywall, who won the “Business of the Year” award.

“The honoree this year molds and supports other local businesses, they’re always willing to give back. Their reach continues to grow and grow each year, and they make a point to use local services whenever possible…they are humble and kind, homegrown and happen to be an ESP graduate by choice,” Picarello said.

The next honoree was Margaret Kranz, who won the “Volunteer of the Year” award for her time and dedication to helping the council with its events, especially during the triathlon.

“Really enjoyed getting to know you. You’ve stepped up for the triathlon, everything that you’ve suggested, and the help that you’ve given, even just the organizational charts and direction, really elevated and helped us solve all the logistical issues. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Picarello said.
After Kranz was Corey Bellarosa, owner of Corey’s Pickles, who won “Community Partner of the Year” for his commitment to serving Montgomery and its events.

“They’re at every event all the time, never a bad word to say about anybody. I’ve been at terrible farmers markets that I’ve hosted with them, not a soul there, and they never leave. They never pack it early and they never give up, they’re always there to share,” Picarello said.

The final honoree was Jon Fallon, who won the “Board Member of the Year” award for contributing his knowledge and planning to the council and community.“I don’t know what we would do without you and your wealth of knowledge. The amount of time that you’ve spent investing in the community and operating a business here is pretty much unparalleled in this room,” Picarello said.

The dinner concluded with desserts, dancing, more music from Nina and the Blender Brothers and a bonfire to keep attendees warm, capping off a successful event and year for the council.