Richard Lafrance named Benevolent Entrepreneur

Richard Lafrance, President and C.E.O. of Lafrance Hospitality, was recently named Benevolent Entrepreneur, by the Academic Center for Entrepreneurship, at Bristol Community College.

This is the fourth annual entrepreneurship awards ceremony.  Mr. Lafrance was nominated by Ms. Melinda Ailes, Regional Director, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network, with the presentation being made by Mr. Joseph Marshall, of J. Marshall Associates, award recipient in 2007; along with remarks by William Berardi, Director, Academic Center for Entrepreneurship and Dr. John J. Sbrega, President of Bristol Community College.

The recognition cited the great success of the family business under his leadership and specifically, Richard's development and distribution of the Community Cares Coupon program, which is in its' 16th year, infusing approximately $270,000.00 to area-not-for profit programs, to date.

"This is a great honor for my family and myself," stated Richard.  "Right from the beginning my parents, R. Aime and Rita Lafrance, instilled the concept of giving back to the community that supports us," he went on to say.  "I'm proud to say that this tradition is being carried on by the next generation through active board and volunteer work."