MANCHESTER — The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce will honor Stephen T. Penny with its 2018 Community Achievement Award.
The award will be presented at the 117th annual meeting of the GMCC on Thursday, April 26. It was established to honor an individual’s service to business and the community in the Manchester/Bolton area.
“The honor of it comes from the fact that you join the group of people who have been honored in the past,” said Penny.
Penny is a lifelong Manchester resident. He left briefly for college at Ohio Wesleyan University where he got his bachelor’s degree, and later attended University of Connecticut School of Law.
He first became involved in local politics and community service in 1975 when he was appointed to the Economic Development Commission. He then filled a vacancy on the Board of Directors in June 1977, and in November he was appointed to be mayor. At the time, he was the youngest person to be elected to the position.
“Manchester is really quite a remarkable community,” he said. He had a natural interest in community involvement because Manchester is and always has been his hometown, he said.
In addition to being mayor, Penny served on the Pension Board for 15 years, chaired three charter revision commissions, and is one of five statewide commissioners on the State Elections Enforcement Commission. He is a member of the Rotary Club and previously held the position of president.
He’s also the voice of the Manchester Road Race and has been announcing the Thanksgiving Day contest for 34 years.
He practices law at Penny, Botticello & O’Brien. His areas of focus include real estate, general litigation, labor relations, municipal, and zoning law.
The award will be presented at the chamber’s annual meeting at 8 a.m. April 26 at Adam’s Mill restaurant. Reservations are $25 and are required. Call GMCC at 860-646-2223 by April 21 to make a reservation.
Originally published by the Journal Inquirer.
Jackie Nappo 