Photos by Beth Furman – beth@wellesleywestonmagazine.com

Photos by Beth Furman – beth@wellesleywestonmagazine.com

It has purchased Art in Giving certificates for every member, who will select a piece of art from 15 galleries and studios on Newbury Street and Harrison Avenue, who have partnered with Art in Giving, LLC.

Wellesley Bank, Pinnacle Residential, and Gibson/Sotheby’s International are also clients of Art in Giving.  They honor board members, thank new home buyers and reward employees with certificates as well as decorate offices.  Fifty percent of proceeds fund pediatric cancer research and support programs.

Art in Giving is a corporate recognition company that combines the fine arts with philanthropy.

www.artingiving.com

Poggenpohl Boston is pleased to announce they were recently awarded the “2010 Best Showroom Customer Service” Award by Ted Chappell, President of Poggenpohl U.S., Inc. 

The four-member Boston design team, led by Rosemary Porto, was selected from over 30 Poggenpohl kitchen design studios across the U.S. for their exceptional customer relations and dedication. Poggenpohl-Boston is well-known in the region for engaging with clients to create custom, innovative kitchen designs uniquely fitted to each client. Their approach emphasizes design with a “lifestyle” approach – with the end result being an individual kitchen space that enhances the client’s quality of life. 

“We are very excited about this award,” states Rosemary Porto, Sales Manager and Senior Designer at Poggenpohl Boston. “We offer an extraordinary product so we need to be sure our customer’s experience is just as extraordinary. Our team is totally committed to making each customer their number one priority. We listen, create and follow up on each and every project. It’s a strategy we’re proud of and one that really works. This award validates what we do.” 

Poggenpohl is the world’s leading luxury kitchen cabinet brand with over 30 showrooms across the United States. Established in 1892, Poggenpohl is the world’s oldest kitchen cabinet manufacturer with worldwide headquarters located in Herford, Germany. The Poggenpohl product line has a strong global presence and is available in more than 70 countries. 

Poggenpohl Boston is located at 135 Newbury St. in Boston, MA. To contact the showroom directly, call 617-236-5253 or email at info@boston.poggenpohl.com. For further information, visit www.boston.poggenpohl.com.

 “We are thrilled. Kathy is a talented strategist with experience in both the non-profit and for- profit sectors. She has a proven track record of being able to transform mission and vision into actions,” said Betsy Ridge Madsen, President of the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. “Mass Hort has moved through some challenging times to achieve institutional stability. Because of her combination of business acumen and non-profit spirit, we are confident that Kathy’s leadership will successfully drive and expand the organization’s educational mission.”

Ms. Macdonald spent six years as Vice President of Marketing for Thompson Island Outward Bound, a not-for-profit organization focused on providing experiential education to Boston-area youth.  She was responsible for generating $3 million of annual revenue that supported Thompson Island’s core mission.  She also helped develop an environmental program that combined Outward Bound’s philosophy with environmental studies, to encourage teambuilding and environmental stewardship.  Her business career spans more than twenty five years, and includes entrepreneurship, technology start ups, the Xerox Corporation, the hospitality industry, and non profits. Most recently, she was president of KMAC Marketing, which provides strategic planning and marketing assistance to profit- and not-for-profit organizations.

 “I see an extraordinary opportunity to leverage the turnaround that is already underway at Mass Hort as a launching pad for the organization’s renaissance,” Ms. Macdonald said. “Mass Hort has been part of the environmental movement since 1829, and now is the time to make its voice heard in the contemporary conversation. My goal for Mass Hort is straightforward: to use the organization’s considerable resources to meet society’s changing needs.  To that end, I believe Mass Hort must sharpen its focus on sustainability, protecting natural resources, health, and environmental stewardship.”

Wayne Mezitt, Chairman of Weston Nurseries, Hopkinton , MA , commented on the appointment. “The Massachusetts Horticultural Society has a rich history of providing services to gardeners of all levels with copious horticultural programs. Kathy’s background, energy and long-range vision will enable her to effectively lead Mass Hort and connect its mission with today’s ever-increasing cultural emphasis on the environment and sustainability.”

 “Mass Hort is here today because of the hard work, perseverance and tenacity of many people,” said Ms. Macdonald.  “The Society’s trustees and staff, Master Gardeners, donors, and its many volunteers have seen the organization through a difficult period.  I see my job as delivering on the promise of Mass Hort on their behalf.”

Ms. Macdonald holds an MBA from Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College and a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University. Long active in civic affairs in Wellesley, Macdonald has been an elected Town Meeting member for 24 years. She has served on multiple committees, including the Advisory/Finance Committee, the Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, and the Community Preservation Committee.  She has managed several initiative campaigns including one, in 2002, for the Massachusetts League of Women Voters that focused on campaign television advertising.   Macdonald and her husband Kevin have lived in Wellesley for more than 30 years. They have two adult children, Brian and Bridget.

Founded in 1829, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public’s enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. Headquartered at the historic Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley and Dover, Mass Hort welcomes visitors to the Gardens at Elm Bank for inspiration,  hands-on educational programs, and to view trial flower and vegetable gardens. Mass Hort’s Blooms! at the Boston Flower and Garden Show, an annual Boston tradition, is held in March at The Seaport World Trade Center . Massachusetts Horticultural Society is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Please visit www.MassHort.org to learn more about its mission and educational programs.

It has been a landmark year for Deland, Gibson. The year began with the agency celebrating its 110th anniversary as well as 25 years of sponsoring the Wellesley Townsman’s “Athlete of the Week”. 

Deland, Gibson’s most recent milestone is the addition of Tom Skelly and Skelly Insurance Agency. He will join Deland, Gibson as Vice President of Sales and Operations.  

 Tom has been a resident of Wellesley since 1990 with his wife Kathleen and their three children.  He has served on the Board of Governors at Wellesley Country Club, as a Library Board Trustee and has been a town meeting member for 15 years.  His fondest memories are coaching his children and their friends in baseball and softball.  

Tom comes to Deland, Gibson with over 29 years experience in the property and casualty insurance industry.  The last 20 years he ran his own insurance agency.  He is currently on the board of the Mass. Association of Insurance Agents as secretary/treasurer and in line to become Chairman of the 1,400 agency organization in 2013.  Tom has also served on the board of the Entrepreneurs Organization a 7,500 member international business organization with chapters in 150 countries.  Tom served as President of EO in 2003-2004.          

Tom will bring vast insurance sales, operational knowledge and entrepreneurial experience to Deland Gibson. “I am excited about joining with a firm that shares my commitment to customer service and to reducing our clients total cost of risk while broadening their coverage”. 

J.M. Construction Co., an award-winning residential design/build construction firm located in Medway, MA, received a Gold 2010 Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award – Eastern Massachusetts region – in the “Residential Bathroom over $60,000” category.  

J.M. transformed a cramped and outdated bathroom in a 100+ year old stately Newton home without sacrificing the charm of a home from this time period. Utilizing space from an adjacent useless hallway provides room for a state-of-the-art steam shower as well as additional storage – new fixtures and lighting compliment the cool green tiles throughout and add the final touches to the renovation. 

The annual CotY competition, sponsored by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), is renowned throughout the remodeling industry recognizing exceptional achievement in remodeling and construction. Their ‘Evening of Excellence’ awards presentation was held November 3^rd. 

J.M. Construction is a multi-level design/build company, offering a range of services from complete home remodels to single-room renovations and small projects. Founded by Jeffrey McLinden in 1986, J.M. Construction’s expert team of professional designers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other craftspeople provides its clients with top quality, professional services at competitive prices.  J.M. Construction is a member of NARI and the Metro West Chamber of Commerce, and is EPA-certified to Conduct Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovations. 

For more information on J.M. Construction, Co., call (866) 533-1660 or visit the company website at www.jmconstructionco.com.