Hudsonhubtimes.com - Citizen of the Year is a historic choice

Tom Vince

MJ Lehman

by Tim Troglen

Reporter

Hudson -- Tom Vince has had many titles -- archivist, historian, writer, speaker and singer to name a few. Now he will have a new one -- Citizen of the Year.

The Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce has named Vince, archivist at Western Reserve Academy and noted Hudson historian, as its 2009 "Outstanding Citizen of the Year."

Vince will be honored Dec. 8 at an awards luncheon at the Country Club of Hudson.

He will be joined by MJ Lehman, owner of Nicky Nicole, who will receive the "2009 Outstanding Business of the Year Award." Ault Chiropractic and the Hudson branch of National City Bank will receive awards for "Excellence in Customer Service."

The Chamber described Vince as "a longtime resident who has dedicated much of his time and talent to the Hudson community."

"I was taken aback and certainly not expecting it," Vince, who has lived in Hudson for 40 years, said of the award. "I was surprised and pleased that the Chamber had decided I might be worthy of receiving this honor."

Vince, who was the director of the Hudson library from 1969 to 1996, has been the WRA archivist for 14 years. The school's collection boasts about 45,000 photographs, some dating back to 1867.

Vince also has been involved with several organizations in myriad capacities, including the Rotary Club of Hudson, the Hudson Heritage Association, the Cuyahoga Valley Civil War Round Table and Hudson Cable TV.

"And I've been very active in St. Mary Parish for lo these many years," he said.

Vince said he is a lector at the church, was previously an usher for 30 year, and is active on the parish's 150th anniversary committee and Lifelong Adult Ministry. He also has been a volunteer on several city commissions, committees and boards.

Business honorees

According to the Chamber, Lehman was honored "based on the tremendous growth the company has experienced, their reputation for excellence and their tremendous commitment to the community."

Lehman, a Hudson resident who operates three Nicky Nicole stores with her husband and partner, David, said she was "shocked" when she heard the news.

It was so nice -- I had no idea," she said. "It was very nice to be recognized by the community like that. I think it's really important."

Lehman opened the Hudson store in 2005 and has since opened stores in Woodmere and Westlake.

Lehman said she store's clothing and accessories focus on girls 4 to 14 years of age. The store also hosts birthday parties for young girls.

"I think we are in the neighborhood of 30 employees everywhere," she said.

Lehman said she has lived in Hudson for 15 years. Before opening the stores she was an senior vice president with a specialty retail chain and responsible for merchandising and marketing.

She is involved in the "3/50 project," which touts local patronage of neighborhood stores.

"We are on the Web site, and my husband and I have become much more cognizant of shopping locally and we are spreading the word," she said.

Lehman is also active at St. Mary Church and is in the musical group "Quince" and the singer for the WRA Community Band. She is also on the board of and makes costumes for "A Children's Theater."

Two Chamber awards for Excellence in Customer Service also will be presented for "extraordinary customer service."

Receiving those awards will be Drs. Robert and Rebecca Ault of Ault Chiropractic, and Vice President and Managing Officer Laura Goodman and her retail team at National City Bank in Hudson.

The luncheon will be Dec. 8 at 11:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Hudson. The cost is $20 per person, and reservations must be made by Dec. 4 at noon.

Make reservations at www.explorehudson.com or by calling the Chamber at 330-650-0621.

E-mail: ttroglen@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3146