Seven winners in four categories were honored with 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in front of more than 200 guests at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, MA, on May 8. All 35 nominees were outstanding examples of Massachusetts entrepreneurs who, as noted by ILC founder and CEO Diane Portnoy, “revitalize depressed neighborhoods, create new technologies, make life-saving discoveries, create jobs, pay taxes and help form the backbone of this country.”
Master of ceremonies Richard A. Davey, Jr., secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and ILC trustee, reinforced those sentiments. “We couldn’t be prouder to count you among the residents of Massachusetts,” he said, before the nominees were given legislative citations and their achievements recognized in a memorable slideshow.
This year’s winners were:
Life Science Business:
Josef von Rickenbach from Switzerland, chairman and CEO of PAREXEL International Corp. in Waltham
High-Tech Business:
Dr. Fauzia Khan and Mansoor Khan from Pakistan, founders of Alere Analytics in Lowell
Business Growth:
Fitzroy Alexander from Grenada, founder and owner of Traditional Breads, Inc. in Lynn
Neighborhood Business:
Rosa and Nisaury Tejeda and Victoria Amador from the Dominican Republic, founders of Tremendous Maid LLC
Find out more about the winners below.
Now in its third year, The 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year Awards brought together members of the economic development, community development, banking, media, state government and diplomatic fields to honor the valuable contributions of Massachusetts immigrant entrepreneurs.
Do you know outstanding immigrant entrepreneurs in Massachusetts worthy of recognition? Tell us about them.
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Life Science Business
Josef von Rickenbach from Switzerland, chairman and CEO of PAREXEL International Corp. in Waltham
Since founding PAREXEL International Corp. in 1982, Josef von Rickenbach has guided PAREXEL through 32 years of technological, market and regulatory changes. By 2014, PAREXEL had helped to develop 95 percent of the 200 top-selling biopharmaceuticals on the market. It has more than 15,100 employees in 50 countries.
“It is truly a great honor to receive this award, which represents all of PAREXEL’s employees who contribute so much to the biopharmaceutical industry, our clients and to those who benefit most, namely patients,” he said.
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, High-Tech Business
Dr. Fauzia Khan and Mansoor Khan from Pakistan, founders of Alere Analytics in Lowell
Husband and wife Dr. Fauzia Khan and Mansoor Khan founded Alere Analytics (formerly DiagnosisONE) in 2003. In 2012, it was purchased by Alere Inc. Mansoor serves as chief executive officer, and Fauzia is the chief medical officer of this medical informatics company.
Alere Analytics provides the health care industry with the world’s largest library of evidence-based medical knowledge. Featuring more than 30,000 clinical rules, the platform ensures improved patient care, fewer errors and better clinical outcomes.
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Business Growth
Fitzroy Alexander from Grenada, founder of Traditional Breads, Inc. in Lynn
Fitzroy Alexander worked his way from baker to business owner with an emphasis on job creation. His first business, Signature Breads, employed 300 people when he sold it in 1998. The next year, he founded Traditional Breads, Inc., a commercial bakery that experienced 37 percent revenue growth between 2010 and 2013.
For his success, Alexander credits his nearly 180 employees, who come from 20 different countries. He said, “I am who I am because of my partners. They’re not my employees. I work for them because without them I am nothing.”
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year, Neighborhood Business
Rosa and Nisaury Tejeda and Victoria Amador from the Dominican Republic, founders of Tremendous Maid LLC
Rosa Tejeda left the Dominican Republic for the U.S. 20 years ago to find better opportunities for her children. Her daughters, Victoria Amador and Nisaury Tejada, graduated from Cornell University and Boston College, respectively.
In 2010, mother and daughters started Tremendous Maid LLC, which has grown to more than 40 employees and a burgeoning list of clients. It was named the 2013 Best House Cleaners by Boston Magazine and Small Business of the Year by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street.