ENLARGE PHOTO Staff photo by kevin jacobus Volunteer of the Year finalists the Rev. Dr. Robert Odierna, center left, and David Heath, center right, pose at the Greater Nashua Chamsber of Commerce Eminence Awards luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua on Wednesday with Jim Conway, left, treasurer of Conway Arena, and John Fouhy of Comcast, director of government and community relations for northern New England. Order this photo

NASHUA – Eminence: superiority in character and achievement.

Fourteen people or businesses were honored for theirs and what they contribute to the local community at the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Eminence Awards luncheon held Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Some 300 local business leaders attended the ceremony, sponsored by Comcast.

Peter Davis, president and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital, and Tom Wilhelmsen, president and CEO of Southern New Hampshire Health System, were recognized as winners in the Business Leader of The Year category. Joining them was Michael Buckley, owner of two downtown Nashua restaurants and a new steakhouse in Merrimack.

Different this year was that finalists in each of the five categories essentially shared in the first place awards, though they received individual free-standing glass plaques. In the past, award nominees were honored, but only a single person or business was chosen as the top winner in each category.

“I was just overwhelmed and quite excited about being nominated,” said Davis, of St. Joseph Hospital. “It’s not something you expect or that you do for any accolades.”

Winners were nominated for the awards by their co-workers, employees, admirers and fellow volunteers. The chamber’s Executive Committee, made up of each of the chairpersons of the chamber’s various committees, chose the finalists based on outstanding contributions to the community during the past year.

Business of the Year was awarded to Bellavance Beverage Corp., Citizens Bank of New Hampshire, and Lovering Volvo.

Bellavance, founded in 1902 by Joseph Bellavance, has 66 employees and has always had operations in Nashua. The company supports the local Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boys and Girls clubs by encouraging its employees to get involved with those and other local groups.

“It’s a great reflection of the entire team of employees,” said General Manager Joe Bellavance Jr., who attended the ceremony with his father. “It’s really their award.”

Citizens, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s No. 1 small business lender in New Hampshire, recently launched the Housing Bank, a $200 million initiative to create affordable housing in New England.

Lovering’s employees regularly give their time to organizations including the Nashua Pastoral Care Center, Nashua Soup Kitchen, and Home Health and Hospice.

Deepak Gursahaney, owner and president of ActiveEdge, an integrated marketing agency, was the only person to win two Eminence Awards on Wednesday. He won for Small Business of the Year and Outstanding Chamber Volunteer of the Year.

In addition to designing, building and managing the chamber’s Web site, Gursahaney has nurtured his company to double-digit growth since starting it in 1997.

“We try to make sure that we’re very active and very open within the community, and it’s nice to be recognized for that,” Gursahaney said.

Davis Funeral Home, which has been serving families in the Nashua area for more than 150 years, also won for Small Business of the Year, as did Strategic Directions, a coaching business run by Louie and Kathy Emond.

Outstanding Chamber Volunteer of the Year was also awarded to Carol Connor of the Nashua Pastoral Care Center, Cheryl Freed of Flegal Law Offices, and Richard Jean, owner of Central Realty.

Community Volunteer of the Year was awarded to David Heath of Melanson and Heath Public Accountants and his longtime friend, the Rev. Dr. Robert “Odie” Odierna, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd.

“It’s weird to be thanked for the things that I do out of thanksgiving, really,” Odierna said. “I think it’s great that we’re lifting up people as role models and I’m proud to be one of them.”

Jim Conway, founder of Conway Office Products and treasurer of the Conway Arena, was the featured guest speaker at the ceremony, which was emceed by John Fouhy, director of government and community relations in northern New England for Comcast.

Buckley, owner of Michael Timothy’s, Surf and Buckley’s Great Steaks, said he felt honored by the nomination. His first Nashua restaurant, Michael Timothy’s, won Small Business of the Year in 2004.

“The way I operate my business, I just try to do a nice job for my staff and support the community the best I can,” Buckley said. “You don’t think about getting awards when you’re doing those things, but it’s always an honor to be recognized.”

Karen Spiller can be reached at 594-6446 or kspiller@nashuatelegraph.com.