NORWICH – The public is invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Baden-Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America recognizing Mark Golden, as the 2019 Distinguished Citizen of the Year for his outstanding achievements in Chenango County and our local communities.

The group requests an RSVP to the Baden-Powell Council Service Center at (607) 648-7888 by this Tuesday morning if you would like attend.

The dinner will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 9, at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich.

Mark Golden will be honored by the local Boy Scouts of America Baden-Powell Council. He was selected for the award by a committee of local citizens which includes past recipients and is co-chaired by Joseph Angelino and Neil Bartle. Bartle was the 2018 recipient of the award.

This is the 34th Annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year dinner benefiting the local Scouting program. Each year the Scouts recognize local community leaders for their outstanding contribution to the betterment of the community and service to their fellow citizens.

Mark Golden, CEO and Co-founder of Golden Artist Colors, began the company in 1980 with four employees, his father Sam Golden, mother Adele and wife Barbara. Originating in a cow barn on his parents’ retirement home in rural Columbus, the company made and delivered custom paint colors for artists in Manhattan. Golden's staff of full-time employee-owners is now 220, with facilities in Columbus as well as Norwich. The company sells its products in over 60 countries.

Mark was selected as the 1996 Small Business Person of the Year for NY and recognized by President Bill Clinton for his activities in creating a business exemplifying the spirit of Corporate Citizenship, providing a work environment that values all employees. In 2006, Mark received an award from the American Institute for Conservation, recognizing his contributions to the art conservation field. In 2005, he received the NYFA 2005 Inspiration Award and was honored by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York with a 2005 Wall of Fame Award. In 2011, Inc. Magazine recognized Golden as one of the top 50 small businesses to work for. In 2012, Golden was recognized by Americans for the Arts as a top 10 contributor to the arts in the US. In 2014 Mark received an honorary Doctorate from Colgate University for his work in support of the local and international arts community. In March 2018, Mark was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Art Materials Association (NAMTA). In April 2019, Mark will be awarded the Center for Arts Education Champion of Arts Education Award for being a visionary in the field.

In 1997, Mark and his family began The Sam & Adele Golden Foundation for the Arts to honor their parents. Its mission is to be a significant resource for visual artists. Over the next 14 years, the Foundation donated to numerous artists and art organizations. In 2010, the Foundation began constructing the Golden Residence, a 10,000-square-foot living and work space for invited artists which opened in 2012.

Reservations for the event may be made by contacting the Baden-Powell Council service center at 607-648-7888 or toll free at 1-877-674-8876 and asking for information on the Chenango Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner. Tickets for the event are $75, with tables of 8 or 10 available as well.

-Sun Managing Editor Tyler Murphy

Pictured: Mark Golden (Submitted photo)