The 2009 Montville Township Chamber of Commerce annual award winners are:

Business Person of the Year

Michael A. Karlan has lived in Montville Township for 41 years, conducting his business as M.A. Karlan Associates since 1987 providing services to many Fortune 500 companies. He is a graphic designer, wellness consultant and Webmaster as well as a recreational fine artist. A graduate of the Cooper Union College of Art, Architecture and Engineering his college was interrupted from 1953-1955 while he served in the U.S. Army. He resumed his studies, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

He married Lynne Greene, joining her son, Stuart, and later daughter-in-law, Mary, and a grandson, Damon, with his own two sons, Philip and Peter. Karlan has been a member of Montville Kiwanis since 2001 participating in all their various charitable projects. He publishes the "Montville Messenger."

As a member of the Montville Chamber of Commerce, Karlan works closely with the town, often providing the service anonymously. He is a vestry member of the Church of the Transfiguration. He has been honored as the 2003-2004 Kiwanian of the Year and was Kiwanis President in 2007. His philanthropic endeavors extend throughout New Jersey through several organizations including The 200 Club of Morris County which honors and benefits the children and families of fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters as well as EMS.

The Silver Service Award

Maida Avallone was born in Germany and arrived in America at the age of 5. She met her husband, Ralph, a World War II veteran, and had two children Ralph Jr. and Dolores. Maida is the grandmother of four.

In 1973, the Avallones moved to Montville and became members and involved with St. Pius X Church. Avallone has been a member of the Montville Township Republican Club and serves on the Montville Township Board of Assistance for the past 30 years. She has been a community asset for many years helping people in need. Avallone assists her husband cooking dinner for Children with Special Needs in Morristown. Her work with Montville UNICO has been invaluable.

As a member of the Rosary Society of St. Pius X Church, Avallone crochets shawls are distributed to the sick and she has volunteered for the Montville Township Chamber of Commerce for many years, never refusing to help. Her efforts do not go unnoticed in the community and for the people of the Dominican Republic.

The Public Service Award

Vincent Sacco has been a resident of Montville for 32 years. He and his wife, Joan, have four children: Susan Berger, Robert, James and Daniel Sacco. They have five grandchildren: Rachel and Ben Sacco, Gregory, Eric and Jeffery Berger.

Sacco was a Little League coach for four years, a Board member for Longview at Montville Town Homes, and has been a member of Montville UNICO from 1985 to present. Sacco initiated the first computer training program at the Montville Township Library in 1998 and it is still active today, with more than 2,000 residents who attend.

As the past president of the Montville Township Library Endowment Fund, fundraising efforts led to a $15,000 grant to the Montville Township Library and he provided computer training sessions for the children in Pathway to Learning. Sacco is assigned as associate director for operations for the Montville Township Library, previously acting library director for eight months.

At present, he is providing his services to spearhead a program to install a rear screen video projector for the unused glass screen in the auditorium. The new arrangement will enhance presentations. A successful trial run was done for a Power Point presentation by Pathways to Learning. Activities outside of Montville include AARP for Morris County, Adjutant Treasurer and Roster Chairperson for NJ AEXPOW Veteran’s organization.

Citizen of the Year

Robert "Bob" Gannon has lived in Montville for 25 years. He grew up in Pequannock and came to Montville in 1983. He and his wife, Linda, and had two children, Christopher, 25, and Michele, 22. Gannon served in the Marine Corps from 1975 to 1978.

He continuously works to better the community. Gannon was a member of the Board of Education for nine years, served as vice president and president. He coached soccer and baseball and is a past member of the Montville Soccer Association and coordinated Soccer Tournament Day for many years.

Gannon is a charter member of the EDC and a charter member of the Montville Education Foundation. He also is an active member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church.

He has been a member of Montville Kiwanis Club for 12 years, serving as president in 2003-2004. As a Kiwanis Club member Gannon has been involved in many projects including the coordination and construction of the Community Park Playground. He has been involved in the coordination and construction of the Camp Dawson refreshment stand, roof, bathrooms and playground.

Gannon served as the liaison to the School Builders Club for the past 10 years and was actively involved in the construction of the William Mason School Playground.

Beautification Award

Ronald S. Soussa designed and constructed the structure and site at 330 Changebridge Road Montville Office Plaza, at the gateway of the community. It took over a decade to develop and was a collaboration between him and the township. A clock tower is provided as a neighborhood amenity, and a child care tenant was sought to service the community.

Public Safety Award

Letitia Huffstutler has been a resident of Montville Township for 38 years, with her husband, Richard, and daughter, Brielle. She received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seton Hall University. Huffstutler is now the lieutenant on the Montville Township Police, where she has been an officer for the past 22 years. She is a graduate of the West Point Leadership and Command School and taught the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program in the schools for 10 years. She was a police explorer advisor for many years.

Huffstutler was a member of the Montville Drug Awareness Council from 1995 to 2002 and has been a volunteer on the Montville First Aid Squad since 1989. Fairfield Police Chief Charles Voelker awarded Huffstutler a Life Saving Award, when she, along with bystanders at the Fairfield pool, saved a person from drowning while off duty.

Organization of the Year

The Montville Township First Aid Squad has almost 100 members who volunteer their time and efforts on a regular basis. Founded in 1964, the Squad provides free emergency medical services to Montville, Pine Brook and Towaco. Naming the First Aid Squad as the recipient of this award, the Chamber noted the many years of exceptional outstanding and dedicated service provided to the residents and businesses in the township.

Legacy Awards

Legacy Awards will also be presented to Chamber members who have been members for 35 plus years: A.R. Van Riper, Jr., Inc., John A. Van Riper Realtors, Denco Exterminating, Inc., John K. McNally, DD., O’Dowd Associates.