WELCOME!
The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is an opportunity to join other business and community leaders and celebrate business people working together for the future of the SouthCoast Community.
The program also includes the election of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, recognition of outgoing board members, and the presentation of the Brayton and APEX Awards.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Ambassador of the Year
Chris Johnson currently serves as the Director of Business Development for Isaksen Solar. A local small business, located in Fall River, Massachusetts. He brings with him over 20 years of sales and marketing experience.
Chris has served on multiple Boards and Committees of Area Chambers of Commerce, Non Profits as well as numerous Networking Groups. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including a Community Service Award, Ambassador of the Year Award, the Presidents Award, and Affiliate of the Year for the Realtor Association of Southeastern Mass. Chris has owned and operated multiple businesses in the hospitality, maintenance and insurance industries spanning from Nantucket to California.
He is very active in his faith, and is a proud father of two children who are now more adults than they are kids. Chris spends a considerable amount of time networking or “notworking” as he likes to call it. Chris Johnson’s favorite part about his position at Isaksen Solar is the ability to serve as a resource for the community, helping them learn the pros and cons of solar and doing his best to improve the perception of the solar industry as a whole, one conversation at a time.
2024 Brayton Award Recipients
2024 Apex Award Recipients
Education – Case High Scholarship Trust
The Case High Scholarship Trust has been awarding scholarships to members of the senior class of Joseph Case High School since 1947. Trustees are members of the community, Friends of the Cardinals, executives, current and retired professional staff. Many Trustees are Case graduates.
For 77 years, Case High Scholarship Trust has had an impact on the lives of countless students who have gone on to a post-secondary education. We could not have accomplished this without the very generous support of many individuals, families, businesses, and organizations in the Swansea community.
Students apply for a Trustee scholarship with a written application and an in-person interview. Awards are then sent to the applicant’s college or technical school to lower the tuition of the student. Our committee looks forward to continuing this tradition for many, many years to come, thanks to organizations such as One SouthCoast Chamber.
Large Business – Community Connections, Inc.
Community Connections, Inc. provides life-enriching services that promote optimal independence for people with disabilities. Through a person-centered approach, individualized programs are designed to build on the strengths of the whole person, enabling them to live as independently as possible in their community.
With eight locations across southeastern Massachusetts, Community Connections offers day habilitation, life skills, employment services, social recreation, community-based day supports, supported living services, and transportation services to over 800 program participants in Fall River, Fairhaven, Wareham, Plymouth, Mashpee, and South Yarmouth.
Non-profit – Swansea Ambulance Corps
Swansea Ambulance Corps was established in 1953 to provide emergency medical services to the Town of Swansea. It initially started with an all volunteer staff responding with a BLS( basic life support) crew to all calls for service. Over the years the Corps has grown , building a new station in 2014, and using a combination of volunteers and paid staff to meet the growing demand of the town and its neighbors in providing ALS (Advanced Life Support).
A non -profit since its inception,and receiving no funding from the town, the Corps remains committed to the town’s citizens, through monies provided through billing, as well as a yearly drive , which is greatly supported from its generous donors year after year.
Small Business – Neto Insurance
Neto Insurance Agency was founded in 1973 by Manuel Fernando Neto in New Bedford, Massachusetts. In 1979, a second office was opened in Fall River, marking the agency’s growth and commitment to serving the personal and commercial insurance needs of families and businesses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Today, the second generation of the Neto family leads the company, with Rosemary serving as President and Stephen as Vice President. Six of Manuel’s eight grandchildren have worked part-time at the agency, with hopes that some will carry on the family legacy into a third generation.
The agency’s staff is regarded as an extension of the Neto family. They embody the company’s core values by providing clients with exceptional service, kindness, and professionalism. Neto Insurance also takes pride in supporting the local community, contributing to many organizations in the greater New Bedford and Fall River areas.
With gratitude for the loyalty of its staff and clients, Neto Insurance remains committed to its mission and to fostering the continued success of the families, businesses, and communities it serves.