Christopher J. Kotary is this year’s recipient for the Webster Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. The three criteria for this honor are contributions to the Chamber, outstanding leadership, and community involvement.
Chris has served as a member of the Chamber for over 20 years. During his tenure he has even served on the Board helping to make crucial decisions. Chris shows his leadership through his professional experience as well as the numerous community organizations where he dedicates so much of his time.
Chris has practiced law for more than 30 years. He currently practices law with Mark IV Construction Company in Rochester. He also works part time as a small claims hearing officer, arbitrator for the city of Rochester, and a mediator for the NYS Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution.
With all of his experiences in and out of court, it is very important to Chris to share his wealth of knowledge with others. He is an instructor for the American Institute of Banking, the Center for Financial Services, and Bryant and Straton. His classes include Law and Banking principles, preparation for the NYS Notary Public Exam, and paralegal programs. In his public life Chris served as Chairman for the Webster Town Planning Board from 1981-1984, Webster Town Attorney from 1984-1989, and the Deputy Town Supervisor in 1992.
But for those who know Chris, they know him best for his community service. He has served for many years as the volunteer Chairman for the American Red Cross Blood Drives in Syracuse and Rochester. For his work there, he was honored as “Citizen of the Year for the Town of Webster” by the Webster Herald. He is a member of the American Red Cross and the Webster Comfort Care Hospice House, where he also serves on the Board of Directors. He volunteers his time for MS walks/bike rides for the American Cancer Society, for the Epilepsy Foundation, for the American Heart & Lung Association.
On behalf of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, we want to congratulate Christopher J. Kotary as the recipient of the 2008 Business Person of the Year.