Konica Minolta and Sharp Win Big at Annual Imaging Industry Event That Has Donated $2.6 Million to Charities Nationwide
(Pictured above, left to right: Frank Cannata; Carol Cannata; Joseph Burt, vice president, development, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation; and, and CJ Cannata.)
The Cannata Report’s 34th Annual Awards & Charities Dinner on Thursday, November 7, raised $295,000 for Tackle Kids Cancer, a philanthropic program benefitting the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health. To date, The Cannata Report has collectively raised $1,000,000 through donations and matching funds for Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation, and since its inception has raised over $2.6 million for charities nationwide. Held at The Madison Hotel in Morristown, NJ, the event was sponsored by Hytec Dealer Services, PSIGEN Software and Continuum and honored excellence in the imaging industry with the announcement of the winners of the Frank Awards.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. and Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America won three Frank Awards each, including a Best Female Executive honor for Laura Blackmer, SVP, dealer channel sales, Konica Minolta and a Best Male Executive honor for Mike Marusic, CEO, Sharp. Blackmer is the only recipient of the Best Female Executive award since it was introduced five years ago. The complete list of 2019 Frank Award winners include:
Best Manufacturer: Sharp Imaging & Information Company of America
Scott Cullen and CJ Cannata celebrate Sharp’s win as “Best Manufacturer” with Sharp’s Shane Coffey.
Best-in-Class Manufacturer: Sharp Imaging & Information Company of America
Sharp’s Shane Coffey receives the “Best-in-Class Manufacturer” award from Frank Cannata.
Best A4 MFP Manufacturer: Kyocera Document Solutions America
Oscar Sanchez of Kyocera receives the Frank Award for “Best A4 Manufacturer” from Scott Cullen for the second consecutive year.
Best Production Print Manufacturer: Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta’s Kevin Kern was presented with the “Best Production Print Manufacturer” award by CJ Cannata.
Best Marketing Strategy: Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta’s Nicole Purdy is joined onstage by CJ Cannata with the award for “Best Marketing Strategy.”
Best Leasing Company: GreatAmerica Financial Services
Once again GreatAmerica Financial Services Corp. won the award for “Best Leasing Company.” GreatAmerica’s Jennie Fisher (center) is joined on stage by CJ Cannata (left) and Frank Cannata (right) after receiving the award.
Best Print Management Software Provider: ACDI/PaperCut
Left to right: ACDI’s Mark Hart, CJ Cannata, Adam Weiss of Atlantic, Tomorrow’s Office, and ACDI’s Josh Lane, after the “Best Print Management Software Provider” awards presentation.
Best ECM/Document Management Software Provider: Square 9
Joe Hartnett of Square 9 receives the award for “Best ECM/Document Management Software Provider” from Janene Aul, Cara Spencer and Jacqueline Smith of Systel.
Best IT Services Provider: Continuum
Geoffrey Wilson (left) and John Schweizer (far right) of Continuum, receive the award for “Best IT Services Provider” from CJ Cannata and Patrick Flesch of Gordon Flesch Company (third from right).
Best Female Executive: Laura Blackmer, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, U.S.A., Inc.
Accepting the award for “Best Female Executive” on behalf of Laura Blackmer is Konica Minolta’s Victoria Ringwood (center), joined by CJ Cannata and Sharon Esker of The Cannata Report.
Best Male Executive: Mike Marusic, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America
“Best Male Executive” winner Mike Marusic of Sharp is joined onstage by last year’s winner Doug Albregts (third from left) as well as The Cannata Report’s Frank and CJ Cannata.
The Frank Awards are determined by The Cannata Report’s Annual Dealer Survey of the independent dealer community and are sponsored by TIAA Bank. In addition, The Cannata Report bestowed a Humanitarian Award to Ray Morgan Company of Chico, California, for its inspiring fundraising campaign to assist its employees and the communities affected by the Camp Fire in Northern California in November 2018. Chris Scarff, executive vice president, accepted the award on behalf of Ray Morgan Company.
The most emotional moment of the evening happened when Chris Scarff of Ray Morgan Company (center) accepted a Humanitarian Award for the company’s efforts in supporting employees impacted by last year’s Camp Fire in Northern California. Here he is with Frank and CJ Cannata.
“The Cannata Report’s 34th Annual Awards & Charities Dinner celebrated the Elevation–our event’s theme–of the imaging industry and new, innovative concepts that are accelerating all businesses in the independent dealer channel towards a more value-oriented approach to maximize relevancy and sustainability,” said CJ Cannata, CEO and president. “Our Frank Award winners put a spotlight on the companies and executives who are leading the way with pioneering technologies and trailblazing practices that are elevating the entire industry.”
Frank G. Cannata, founder and editor at large, said, “Words can’t express how grateful we are to all of our partners and donors who have supported the Cannata Dinner over the years and who have made this amazing milestone of $1 million raised for HUMC a reality.”
“Tackle Kids Cancer is honored and proud to team up with The Cannata Report to achieve our goal of ending childhood cancer. Through the extraordinary efforts of Frank, Carol and CJ Cannata and the generosity of the business technology and imaging industry, more than $1,000,000 has been raised to benefit Hackensack University Medical Center. Our heartfelt thanks to the Cannata family for achieving this major milestone and making a difference in the lives of so many children,” said Joseph Burt, vice president, development, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation.
Robert C. Goldberg, general counsel of the Business Technology Association served as the event’s emcee. The evening’s after party was sponsored by NEXERA and Xerox. On Friday, November 8, The Cannata Report hosted a Women Influencers Brunch, sponsored by AMETEK ESP, DM Supplies Network, EFI, and Kyocera to honor leading female industry executives and showcase its 2019 Women Influencers issue.
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