Published: November 19, 2009 12:34 am      

BUSINESS: Chamber of Commerce honors citizen, business of the year

Nearly 150 people filled the banquet hall at Banchetti’s Restaurant in Amherst Wednesday night to honor this year’s recipients of the Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year awards from the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas.

Evelyn Zupo, banking officer and relationship manager at Key Bank in North Tonawanda, received the Citizen of the Year award for her commitment to many not-for-profit groups in the Tonawandas.

Brothers Tom Brosius, Troy Brosius and Terry Brosius, partners in Industrial Tool Sharpening Inc. in North Tonawanda, accepted the Business of the Year honor.

North Tonawanda Mayor Larry Soos said he got to know Zupo through parties and events at the Elks Lodge, the Chamber Clam Bake, Riviera Theatre and the New Year’s Eve ball drop.

“She was not there just to party, although she did that,” Soos joked, “but because she was involved on the committees.”

Zupo’s acceptance speech was laced with self-effacing humor as she did a run down of her many volunteer efforts.

“I’m so honored, so surprised,” she said. “Those at the Chamber are my friends, they opened a lot volunteer doors.”

In addition to being on the board of the Zonta Club of the Tonawandas, treasurer of the Riviera Theatre board, a member of the Elks Lodge and one of the founders of the New Year’s Eve ball drop, she recalled being asked by Meals on Wheels to be on its board.

“I told them I don’t even know how to drive,” Zupo said. “But they told me they’d pick me up.”

“All the stuff I do, I couldn’t do without others to help. In fact, I have raffle tickets in my purse,” she laughed.

“When I meet with a group and I say ‘I have this idea, what do you think?,’ they show up and help. I’ve received more than I give,” she concluded.

Tom Brosius, president of Industrial Tool Sharpening Inc. in North Tonawanda, accepted the Business of the Year honor alongside his brothers and partners, Troy and Terry Brosius.

Opening in 1986 as a part-time business, the company today boasts 16 employees, is growing and recently added a new division, American Coating Concepts Inc.

The three brothers, all North Tonawanda natives, with the help of their father, Donald Brosius, began the business as a tool re-sharpening service with the hopes of supplementing their incomes.

The operation has now expanded and works with companies in 20 states.

When it comes to giving back to the community, the firm has led by example.

“We helped the Boys & Girls Club with its recent kitchen renovation,” Tom Brosius said. “We also sponsor girls softball teams and other sporting programs and we’re involved with the Make a Wish Foundation and the North Tonawanda food pantry.”

Tom Brosius’ son, Jacob, has worked in the company for the past three years since his graduation from high school.

“I hope to carry on the business,” Jacob Brosius said. “Right now, I run the CNC, a sophisticated computerized machine.”

“We just keep getting more and more involved with the community,” Tom Brosius said.

Rhonda Ried, president of the Chamber board of directors, was master of ceremonies for the event which featured the introduction and installation of the new Chamber board of directors.