CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Two western Massachusetts convenience store managers were recognized at the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association’s (NECSEMA) annual Operator of the Year Awards. Managers, operators and employees at Massachusetts stores in Marlboro, Gloucester, Gill, North Chelmsford, Ayer, Easthampton and Boston, as well as in Epsom and Chichester, N.H. were honored at the awards held on March 21 in Rhode Island. Free laptop giveaway held at Springfield Boys and Girls Club There were several categories of recognition, including merchandising, food service, customer service, store design and overall excellence. Some were acknowledged for their innovations in customer service and addressing the wants and needs of convenience store patrons. “These awards recognize excellence in our industry and honor the store owners who go the extra mile to provide a great experience for customers,’ NECSEMA Executive Director Peter Brennan said. “Convenience stores are essential businesses and are much more than just a place to buy gas and lottery today. Our stores are part of the fabric of local communities, offering an ever-increasing variety of healthy food options and groceries, and I’m proud to recognize the efforts of all the winners.” The winners this year include: Manager of the Year: Laurie Largess, Alltown Fresh, Marlborough, MA 2nd Place Manager: Danielle Beaulieu, Common Man Roadside, Epsom, NH 3rd Place Managers: Karen Timberlake, The Mill, Gill, MA Bob Barr, Haffner’s, Gloucester, MA Category Winners Managers: Merchandising: Talal Yatim, YATCO Chelmsford Gulf, North Chelmsford, MA Food Service: George Bonderenko, Alltown Fresh, Ayer, MA Customer Service: Maria Colpak, Cumberland Farms, Easthampton, MA Store Design/Interior/Exterior Conditions: Dani Joumaa, Nouria Boston Logan, Boston, MA Community Service Award: Sarah Santagate, Rapid Refill, Chichester, NH Owner-Operated Store of the Year: Marshall Royce, Cha’s Convenience, Winchester, NH Local News Headlines Feds: Connecticut man made down payment on contract murder during Vermont drug buy Former Chief of Staff to Lawrence Mayor sentenced to prison for child pornography charges Mountain Road in Easthampton to close for water main repairs Photos show living conditions of Connecticut man allegedly held captive for over 20 years WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less