Boys & Girls Club CEO Norman Bouthilette

NASHUA – The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua’s leadership team recently gathered in a virtual setting for their Annual Board Meeting. During the meeting, the board underwent a “changing of the guard” as a new state of officers were inducted. The Club also celebrated the long-time commitment of board members, staff, and volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support the Club. Awards were presented for years of service among Club staff and Board members as well as to those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Club over the years.

Years of Service awards, medallions, and pins were presented to Trustees and Board Members including Alison Kalman (Lowell Five Executive VP, 5 years), Trevor Carlton (Firefly Medical Inc. President, 10 years), Tom Monahan (Monahan Companies CEO, 15 years), and Linda Lovering (Lovering Volvo Owner, 20 years). The Club staff members who received Years of Service awards included Bree Cosgrove (5 years), Ashley Fudala (5 years), Michael Mavris (5 years), Janeth Orozco-Sanchez (5 years), Kurt Norris (30 years), and CEO Norman Bouthilette (45 years).

“This is the 19th year the Nashua Club has conducted this ceremonial event honoring Board Volunteers, Trustees and Staff who have dedicated their time and support to the success of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua,” said Bouthilette.

The Champion of Youth Award was presented to the Tulley Family for their commitment and dedication to the Club’s mission and their strong advocacy for youth. For nearly 30 years, the Tulley Family have been ardent supporters of the Club, involving themselves in everything from Back a Kid campaigns to Duck Races, Steak & Burger Dinners and the Auction. Through their company, they have purchased CDFA tax credits to help fund many capital projects including building our designated Teen Center. Their most prominent contribution has been through the Friel Memorial Golf Tournament. For the last 14 years, they have served as the LEAD sponsor, growing their commitment since their first year of involvement and leveraging their sponsorship to solicit others interested in investing in our youth. Their efforts have attracted many new vendors, peers, and golfers to the event.

“This family is a great example of coming together as a community and sharing resources to strengthen the lives our kids,” said Club CEO Norman Bouthilette. “It is people like this family who will ultimately build a stronger community for us all.”

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua board officers are, from left, Vice President Jane Papia, Former CVO Mary Jane King, Secretary Sal Magnano, Treasurer Kathleen Peahl and current CVO Steve Travaglini. Absent is Vice president Alison Kalman.

The From the Heart Memorial Award, created in honor of the late Executive Director Dominick J. Giovinazzo is presented to the individual who demonstrates a deep heartfelt commitment to the Boys & Girls Club mission. This year’s award was presented to Board Treasurer Sal Magnano. Through his involvement on the Board, Finance Committee, as a Trustee and many other committees over the many years he’s served on the board, he has helped create a foundation for what the Club is today. He is also one the Club’s fiercest advocates, arranging Discovery Tours for hundreds of friends and neighbors at the Huntington so they could experience the impact the Club has on the youth in the community.

“We are extremely grateful for the time and dedication Sal has exhibited as a Partner4Kid, a Heritage Club member and supporter of every aspect of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua. He is a treasure to this organization,” said Former Chief Volunteer Officer Mary Jane King.

The final award presented was the Man/Woman and Youth Award which is given to those who inspire others in the community to support the Club. The award was given to Board member and Homework Help volunteer Fernand Martin and his wife Jan. Both of them frequently attend and support all the Club’s fundraising events as well as volunteer to help at internal Club events such as National Night Out. They are both committee members for the Youth of the Year and Hall of Fame Dinner and have served as judges. Their commitment is also shown through their annual Partners4Kids membership, Heritage Club enrollment and the establishment of an endowed Scholarship Fund for members to pursue continuing education after high school graduation.

“There are some people who give of themselves entirely to the betterment of others and for all the right reasons. Ferd and Jan are just such people,” said newly elected Board President Steve Travaglini. “They exemplify the very height of dedication and commitment.”

Also recognized at the Annual Meeting was Club CEO Norm Bouthilette. Norm gave his notice to the board over a year ago that he was planning to retire at the end of 2020.

Norm Bouthilette has served for 45 years as a dedicated youth advocate and leader, first as the Club’s Athletic Director in 1976 and then as CEO since 1999. Over the years, Norm has overseen and contributed to the creation and growth of new Club services, programs, and initiatives. Throughout his legacy, Norm has led the Club to win numerous national awards from Boys & Girls Clubs of America including Best Overall Program in the Country (twice!) regional competitions, and numerous local awards.

“Norm’s Club commitment is an inspiration to us all,” said Board member and Chair of the Youth of the Year and Hall of Fame Celebration Ray Ramas (CH2M Hill Engineer). Norm was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years of service. Also recognized were Fred Roedel Sr. and Lieutenant Carlos Camacho. Their contributions to the Club were celebrated during the Annual meeting since the Youth of the Year Dinner and Hall of Fame Celebration, usually held in March, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A long-time Trustee, Board Member and community business leader, Fred Roedel of Roedel Companies has been an ardent supporter of the Club for many years. Fred shared his business acumen to strengthen the Club’s operations and impact in the community. He and his wife Kay were founding members of the Heritage Club which ensures that the future needs of our youth are met by including the Club in their estate planning. They also established the Roedel Family Scholarship Fund to assist qualifying high-school seniors and alumni as they continue their pursuit of academic success in secondary schools.

Lt. Camacho currently serves on the Boys & Girls Club Safety Committee, working with board members, community experts, and staff on the Club’s Crisis Management Plan and Child Protective Policies. His Club volunteer work also includes facilitating the Mirror Project at the Club to foster positive relationships between kids and police officers, leading the police-run middle school street hockey program, and participating in the Camp Mariposa Program, a year-round camp for youth whose families are impacted by drug addiction.

“All three inductees completely embody the Club’s mission of serving kids who need us most,” said Ramas. “We are beyond thrilled to welcome these extraordinary individuals into the Club’s Hall of Fame.”

At the close of the Annual Board Meeting, former Chief Volunteer Officer Mary Jane King officially welcomed the newly elected Board President Steve Travaglini to take her place. Epic Wealth Strategies President Steve Travaglini joined the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua’s Board of Directors six years ago where he has served as Vice President for the past three years and Chair of the Club’s Bid for Kids Holiday Auction committee for five. His charitable efforts are often directed towards serving the youth population. Being a devoted father of four, he wants to help ensure the growth and success of the next generation.

I have great memories of the Boys & Girls Club in Arlington, Massachusetts from when I was a boy,” said Travaglini. “I feel fortunate to now serve on the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua’s Board of Directors. I am excited for my first year as Chief Volunteer Officer and deeply grateful to Mary Jane King for an amazing two years of service as the President before me. We now look forward to kicking-off the 20/21 year with our virtual Bids for Kids Holiday Auction coming up on Saturday, Dec. 5th!”

The complete slate of board officers for year 20/21 include Chief Volunteer Officer- Steve Travaglini (Epic Wealth Strategies President), Vice President- Jane Papia (Sr. Client Manager at Bank of America VP), Vice President- Alison Kalman (Lowell Five EVP), Treasurer- Kathleen Peahl (Wadleigh Starr & Peters Managing Partner/Attorny), and Secretary- Sal Magnano.

They will all be serving the 2020-2021 term and preside over the Club’s Board of Directors and Board of Advisors. Newly elected to the Board of Directors included Frederick Boucher (Main Street Financial Private Wealth Advisor), Jose Freitas (Barmakian Jewelers Manager of Sales), Renu Gupta (GT Solar Co-founder), and Jon Shirley (CullenCollimore Partner/Attorney). Newly Elected to the Board of Advisors were Lieutenant Carlos Camacho (Nashua Police Department) and Robert Cioppa (NSD Director of Student Services and ELL).