Rochester’s Business Person of the Year winners

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) – News10NBC would like to congratulate the Small Business Council of Rochester’s Business Person of the Year winners—Keith Williams from Consilarium and Kevin Shulte with Greenspark. Vic Salerno of O’Connell Electric was awarded the distinguished career award.

These individuals were honored Thursday night during a ceremony at Nazareth College. News10NBC’s Nikki Rudd was honored to serve as the emcee.

In total, 11 finalists were recognized for their success, growth, leadership, and service in the community.

This prestigious Business Person of the Year Award, first awarded in 1983, recognizes for-profit business leaders in Greater Rochester who have demonstrated outstanding success, growth, leadership, and service in both in both civic and professional areas. The Distinguished Career award was newly created this year to honor the legacy of individuals who have a lifetime of business excellence and community service in the Greater Rochester region.

Keith Williams is the Managing Partner of Consiliarium Group, LLC., a privately-owned employee benefits consulting firm located in Pittsford, NY. Keith’s passion and energy sets and guides the Consiliarium team’s vision and customer focus. Keith is involved on the board with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), spent 15 years coaching and mentoring young football athletes, and is frequently involved in health and wellness initiatives benefiting the Rochester community. Most recently, Keith chaired the American Heart Association’s Rochester Heart Walk in 2021, and was part of their Executive Leadership Team in 2020 and 2022.

Kevin Schulte co-founded GreenSpark Solar in 2002 and was named CEO in 2008. By 2015 he led the company to 11th Fastest Growing Business, reaching #1 in 2017, and #2 in 2021. Kevin currently serves on the board of the Amicus Solar Cooperative, a member-owned purchasing cooperative of over 60 independent, values-driven solar energy companies in all 50 states, Washington DC, Canada and Puerto Rico. He has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally for his contributions to the growth of the distributed solar industry. Kevin would point to GreenSpark consistently being named a Rochester Top Workplace as his highest professional accomplishment. Kevin is a graduate of JMU’s School of Integrated Science and Technology.

After 14 years as CEO of O’Connell Electric, Victor Salerno retired in April 2022 with an accumulated 50 years of service to the company. Vic’s leadership has propelled O’Connell to great success, today earning $360 million in sales and employing over 1,000 people. Along with his business acumen, Vic’s altruistic tendencies to support our local communities can be seen by his work with St. John Fisher University, Wilmot Cancer Institute, St. Ann’s Community Foundation, and more. His philanthropy has inspired countless employees and community leaders to volunteer time and resources and has earned him widespread recognition in the Greater Rochester community.