Congratulations are in store to a New Hampshire icon and close friend to the state’s business community.
Alex Ray, owner of the Common Man Family of Restaurants has been named the winner of the National Restaurant Association’s 2009 Cornerstone Humanitarian Award.
A few years back, I remember sitting at the Common Man with Alex, his tremendous PR person Erica Murphy and then Business Resource Center Director (and now Interim Division of Economic Development Director) Roy Duddy to discuss partnership opportunities. Alex had just returned from New Orleans where he was part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Armed with a Common Man van full of cooking supplies, clothes and food, Alex directed kitchen operations at the Baton Rouge River Center, feeding more than 2,500 victims and later assisting with pet rescue efforts.
Closer to home, Alex and his team have assisted local organizations ranging from The Salvation Army in Manchester to The Humane Society for Greater Nashua, The Friendly Kitchen in Concord and many others.
Thanks Alex for all that you do and for always putting people first as you grow your many businesses. We are very fortunate to have excellent business professionals like you in our great state!
Here’s a link to the story that appeared in the New Hampshire Business Review’s online edition this morning: http://www.nhbr.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090918/NEWS06/909179982.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director