R.I. celebrates Business Excellence; nine honored

PROVIDENCE – More than 300 of the Ocean State’s business leaders joined the nine honorees at Providence Business News’ 14th annual Business Excellence Awards celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the Providence Marriott.

Recognized for business leadership was Robert DiMuccio, chairman, president and CEO of Amica Insurance, while the award for corporate citizenship was given to Oliver Bennett, senior vice president, Bank of America. Social Enterprise Greenhouse was recognized for excellence at a nonprofit social services agency.

The Washington Trust Co. was feted for excellence at a large company. ShapeUp Inc. was honored for excellence at a midsize company, and Rhode Island Primary Care Physicans Corp. for excellence at a small company.

NuLabel Technologies was honored for excellence in entrepreneurship, City Year Providence in the not-for-profit category and Ocean State Job Lot for community involvement.

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The keynote speaker was Helena Foulkes, executive vice president of CVS Health and president of CVS/pharmacy, who discussed the company’s recent decision to stop selling tobacco products.

“In large part, our purpose of helping people on their path to better health was at the core of our decision to quit selling tobacco. It was a bold decision to walk away from $2 billion in annual sales revenue. But we made this decision because it was the right thing to do. Tobacco products have no place in a setting where health care is delivered,” she said.

“CVS Health is committed to Rhode Island, and committed to improving the economic climate to foster business and employment growth in the state. I’ve talked about a lot of things this evening, but if there is just one thing that you take away, I hope it’s this: As much as CVS Health has grown over the years, our core values haven’t change. We started out as a local company that, above all else, was focused on the customer and on doing what was right. As we have evolved into a pharmacy innovation company, our purpose is still what drives us. And in the years to come, we’ll continue to drive growth and innovation to make a difference here in Rhode Island,” Foulkes said.

Gene Valicenti, anchor for WJAR-TV NBC 10 and host of the WPRO Morning News show, was the master of ceremonies.

The presenting sponsor for the 2014 Business Excellence Awards program was Bank Rhode Island. Partner sponsors were Bryant University’s Executive Development Center and Graduate School of Business, Cox Business, Gencorp Insurance Group, LGC&D, Partridge Show & Hahn LLP and Tufts Health Plan.

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