Nick Masiello of University of Vermont wins Manomet’s Next Generation Award and scholarship

Plymouth, MA  May 4, 2017  Manomet awarded its first ever “Next Generation” Award and a $1,000 scholarship last night to Nick Masiello of University of Vermont for his sustainability study of a New England ski resort.  The award was the capstone of Manomet’s U360, an experiential internship program designed to deepen college students’ understanding of sustainability and small business management.  The winner was selected by a panel of judges including Jed Davis, Director of Sustainability, Cabot Creamery Co-operative; Rich Grogan, State Director, NH Small Business Development Center; and Quincy Miller, President, Eastern Bank.

From left to right: Quincy Miller, Eastern Bank; John Hagan, Manomet; Nick Masiello, University of Vermont; Rich Grogan, NHSBDC; Jed Davis, Cabot Creamery Co-operative and Dean Steeger, Manomet Board Chair and B. R. Alexander & Co., Inc.

U360 students learn how sustainability can be applied to small businesses by working directly with small businesses from around the U.S. to assess their current practices.  In this way, U360 creates full-circle learning between business leaders and the next generation of sustainable entrepreneurs. “The six million small businesses in the U.S. are often overlooked and underserved when it comes to sustainability.  With that in mind, Manomet developed our U360 internship program.  Our goals of reducing the environmental impacts of the small business sector and training the next generation on practical sustainability, so we can ‘pass the torch’ to the future managers of our world’s critical systems were certainly met tonight at this event,” said Manomet president John Hagan. “We are proud to be providing sustainability tools to the people who can make change happen today and tomorrow.”

Masiello, Junior, Business Administration, University of Vermont, presented his sustainability plan for a ski mountain resort in the Northeast. Masiello “applied for the U360 internship with hopes that it would teach me how small businesses could create a more sustainable business model.” Edie Allard, Junior, Journalism & Sustainability, University of New Hampshire; and Leah Soloway, Junior, Environmental Studies & Business Administration, University of New England came in second and third, respectively.

“I’m so impressed by all three of the student’s ability to connect sustainability and the triple bottom with the success of small business owners.  Their insight into how to drive sustainability really hit all of the core levels of success for a small business—employee engagement, efficiency, targeted revenue opportunities—and tied them together with how to sustainably support our environment and future generations to come,” said Quincy Miller, President of Eastern Bank and one of the judges for the evening.  “Eastern Bank is thrilled to have played a part in supporting these students, Manomet, and U360.”

“I loved the emphasis on sustainability and small business at this event and it was humbling to watch students this engaged in sustainability and small business,” said Rich Grogan, State Director, New Hampshire Small Business Development Center.

“The combination of the social and educational elements really stood out to me. Ultimately, this was a celebration of youth and sustainability,” added Jed Davis, Director of Sustainability, Cabot Creamery Cooperative. “It was incredibly hard to pick the winner—all of the students were clearly immersed in a quality program and demonstrated research skills, creative thinking about business and sustainability and the social skills to present their findings eloquently. It’s hard not to look at these kids and see hope.”

About Manomet

Manomet is a nonprofit organization that believes people can live and work today in ways that will enable our world to thrive and prosper tomorrow. Manomet’s mission: applying science and engaging people to sustain our world. Visit www.manomet.org for more information.