MANSFIELD ─ Brady Groves said he made some incredible requests of people, sometimes in the last minute, but never got turned down.
That is why when the Richland County Foundation president was presented an award, he gave credit to the community. The Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development honored Groves with the Chairman’s Award at its virtual annual meeting on Friday.
With Groves’ leadership starting in 2011, the foundation has started and facilitated different initiatives, including the Mansfield Rising plan and the Richland Gives platform.
Julie McCready, the foundation’s chairwoman trustee, said the organization’s assets grew from $87 million to $200 million over the past 10 years because of Groves’ efforts.
“You don’t give that kind of money if you don’t trust and (if) you don’t believe in who you are giving that money to. That’s what Brady embodies: the leadership of trust and the ability to serve our community,” she said.
Groves, born and raised in Mansfield, said he does not take the opportunity of working with the community lightly. He has seen the civic engagement over the years and was honored to accept the award on behalf of the people of Richland County.
Deanna West-Torrence, founder and executive director for North End Community Improvement Collaborative, won the Athena Award. The award recognizes women in the community for their professional excellence and community services.
Zoi Romanchuk, a former recipient who presented the award, said West-Torrence has knocked down barriers and been a voice for the voiceless through NECIC’s works. She has also given many young people a chance to grow professionally and helped connect them with the community.
Carol Payton, former NECIC’s board member, said West-Torrence sees every person as an asset, which is the focus of NECIC ─ asset-building. Besides raising her four children, she is also a mother to many kids in the north end.
West-Torrence said the award was an “incredible surprise” and she appreciated the support from her staff and the board members.
“It’s such an honor to work in the community where you’re born, where you’re raised. Working with your former teachers,” she said. “Working with just so many people.”
Also, at the chamber’s annual meeting, Carl Fernyak, Richland Community Development Group chair, presented the Economic Impact Awards to Brian McCartney of K.E. McCartney and Michael Murray and the production design team at Cooper Enterprises Inc.
Fernyak said K.E. McCartney invested nearly $1.5 million in an expansion project for its headquarters in downtown Mansfield during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Brian has driven the process and chose this time in part as a way to support the local business community,” Fernyak said.
Cooper Enterprises created a new production line last year in response to the significant demand for personal protective equipment, including face shields and dividers that can be installed in different locations.
Fernyak said many local businesses were able to take what the company made and get their businesses back open as quickly as possible.
Additionally, the 1285 winery and its general manager Andrew Beilstein were presented on Friday with the Richland Young professionals Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Stephanie Zader, Mansfield at-large city council member and EXP Realty’s owner, won the RYP Community Hero Award.
