Don Rodman To Receive “New Englander of the Year” Award

The New England Council, the country’s oldest regional business organization, will present its prestigious “New Englander of the Year” award to Canton resident Don Rodman, the President of Rodman Ford Sales, Inc. of Foxboro, MA and Founder of the , at its 2011 Annual Dinner in Boston on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

Over 1,300 New England Council members representing businesses large and small across a wide range of industries throughout New England will be in attendance. 

“Don is a great businessman, but perhaps more importantly, he believes strongly in giving back to his community,” said New England Council President & CEO James T. Brett.  “As the founder and driving force behind the Rodman Ride for Kids, Don’s generosity and leadership have touched the lives of thousands of children and young adults throughout the region.  What started as a small local fundraiser 21 years ago now raises millions of dollars each year for charities throughout the region that work with at-risk youth.”

The "New Englander of the Year" awards are presented each year by the New England Council and honor residents of the New England states for their commitment and contributions in their fields of work, as well as their leadership and impact on the New England region's quality of life and economy. First presented in 1964, over the years the award has been presented to U.S. Senators and Representatives, cabinet secretaries, CEOs, leaders of non-profit organizations, and other leaders who have contributed to the region. Last year’s recipients were Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Northeast Utilities Chairman Charles Shivery. View a full list of past recipients on their website.

In addition to founding the Foxboro-based Rodman Ford Sales, Inc 51 years ago, one of the region’s most successful and respected automobile dealerships, Rodman is also the founder of the Rodman Ride for Kids, a non-competitive cycling tour that raises funds for a variety of children’s charities in New England.  Since Don created the event in 1991, it has raised over $60 million for youth-focused social service agencies, and is now the third-largest single-day athletic fundraiser in the nation. The most recent event, October 1, is on track to raise over $8 million. 

Local organizations supported by the ride include Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Italian Home For Children, DCF Kids Fund and many others.  Through other initiatives under the Ride’s umbrella, Disney For Kids has sent over 1,500 inner-city kids to Walt Disney World in Florida, and through the Marilyn Rodman Theatre For Kids initiative approximately 40,000 at-risk children have attended live theater shows.  

The New England Council’s 2011 Annual Dinner will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Seaport Hotel/World Trade Center in Boston. The reception will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the dinner to follow at 6:00 p.m.  In addition to Rodman, The New England Council will also honor U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. Caroline Kennedy will accept the award on the library’s behalf.