VERC Enterprises' Leo Vercollone receives President's Award from May Institute

BOSTON - April 5, 2019 - PRLog -- VERC Enterprises, a leading convenience store and Mobil/Gulf/Irving gasoline operator with locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire was the proud recipient of the President's Award from the May Institute during its "An Evening of Hope & Possibility."  Held at The State Room in Boston on April 4^th, David Wade of WBZ-TV/CBS Boston served as Master of Ceremonies.

May Institute, based in Randolph, is a national leader in the field of applied behavior analysis, serving individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders and other special needs. It created the President's Award to recognize and honor individuals, organizations or corporations who have achieved professional distinction through hard work  and a strong commitment to bringing respectful awareness to and support of special needs.

Leo Vercollone, CEO of VERC Enterprises accepted the award on behalf of the company that has committed to comprising 20% of its workforce with individuals who are intellectually and developmentally disabled.

"I was delighted to present Mr. Vercollone with our 2019 President's Award in recognition of VERC Enterprises' longstanding commitment to employing individuals with special needs," said May Institute President and CEO Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP. "VERC has been one of May's vocational training partners since 2011, and through the years has provided many of our students with valuable work experiences that have helped them develop independence, increased confidence, and great joy."

"What an honor to be recognized by an organization that is dedicated to providing services that meet such a wide range of needs," said Vercollone.  "I speak for the entire VERC Enterprises family when I say that this distinction makes us all proud and

at the same time humbled – and further strengthens our commitment to be a leader in hiring those with intellectual and developmental disabilities."

About VERC Enterprises

VERC Enterprises is a leading, independent chain of convenience stores and gasoline stations, with locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  The company began 50 years ago with a single car wash in Marshfield, MA. The original business was founded by Eugene Vercollone. Today, the business remains under family ownership, with Mr. Vercollone's sons Leo and Paul serving as CEO and Senior Vice President, respectively. Longtime VERC team member Jim Fitzgerald serves as the company's President. With more than 350 employees, VERC is a leader in hiring individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and has more than 20 % of its workforces comprised of IDD (Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled) citizens. VERC maintains ongoing partnerships with organizations including Best Buddies, ARC of Greater Plymouth and others to provide employment opportunities for IDD individuals. VERC is also working with the state's Re-Entry program to provide employment opportunities for former inmates who have been rehabilitated. VERC Enterprises has been recognized by the Boston Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts and as a Leader in Diversity; the company has also been repeatedly honored by the Boston Globe as a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts. In 2017, VERC was named Employer of the Year by both the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and The ARC of Greater Plymouth. For additional information, please visit the website, www.vercenterprises.com, or call 781-934-7300.  To learn more about VERC, please view:  https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLesS4W9hjtufdf6GhvnfUKMk2l2Q-r-MM



VERC Enterprises Awards and Recognitions

• Boston Business Journal Book of Lists, Area's Largest Family Owned Businesses, multiple years
• Exemplary Employer, Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (2017)
• Employer of the Year, ARC (2017)
• Operator of the Year (single location), New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association (2017)
• Leo Vercollone, keynote speaker (2016), Diversity in Workforce, Family Business Association
• Franciscan Leadership Award, Cardinal Cushing Centers (2015)
• Employer of the Year, MAPSE (Massachusetts Association of People Supporting Employment First), 2013
• Central Middlesex Area Department of Developmental Services recognition for work with IDD (2013)
• MetroWest Work Opportunities Coalition, Accommodation Award (2013)
• Grand Spirit Award, Convenience Store Decisions Magazine, for social media
• Grand Spirit Award, Convenience Store News,
• Distinguished Citizen Award, ARC (2010)


PHOTO: Left to right:  Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, May Institute President and CEO; Leo Vercollone, CEO of VERC Enterprises; and Jolie Beaupre, Parent, May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and featured event speaker at "An Evening of Hope & Possibility" where Vercollone accepted the May Institute President's Award on behalf of VERC Enterprises