Two Keene State College Employees Selected for the 2014 Trendsetter Award
Julio DelSesto and Richard Grogan Honored
Keene State College announces that two of its employees have been selected for the 2014 Trendsetter Award – Julio DelSesto, assistant professor of Journalism, and Richard Grogan, regional director of the Small Business Development Center were honored. The Trendsetter award is given to the 20 up-and-coming business leaders in the greater Keene and Peterborough areas. Business Monadnock, The Keene Sentinel and the Keene Young Professionals Network chose the best candidates exemplifying hard work in the community.
Mr. Grogan is the regional director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Monadnock region. He provides no-cost advising to local businesses. In 2013 Mr. Grogan logged over 1,200 hours in direct consulting and preparation time for 175 businesses. In 2012 the SBDC was a critical part of helping businesses access $25 million in capital. In addition to his daily work, Mr. Grogan serves on the Board of the Hannah Grimes Marketplace, Monadnock Sustainability Network, and Monadnock Buy Local.
Mr. DelSesto has been the advisor for the Keene State College newspaper, The Equinox, since 2008. The paper has won over 70 national and regional awards. In August 2013 he was elected to the Monadnock Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. He currently serves as the public relations director and is currently planning a concert fundraiser event called “Rock the House” to raise money to build a house this summer. Each summer he works with Pine Groves Springs Country Club where he teaches six-week junior golf clinics. In 2013, Mr. DelSesto was named a Cedarcrest Champion for the impact he has had on the center. He volunteered his skills in web design and social media consultation, which were worth more than $20,000 this past year.
A number of Keene State alumni are also being recognized, including Caitlin Caserta of Walpole Valley Farm, Tim Pipp of Beeze Tees, Dominic Perkins of Savings Bank of Walpole, and Eric Gagne of Toadstool Bookstore.
