Washington, DC - September 22, 2015--Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation will be honored at The Arc's inaugural
Catalyst Awards that will be presented during The Arc's national convention in Indianapolis on October 3.
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Golisano is founder and chairman of
Paychex and the founder and chairman of the
Golisano Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Ann Costello, Director of the Golisano Foundation, will be accepting the award and speaking at the ceremony.
 The national awards were created to recognize individuals, businesses, and other organizations that are catalysts for achievement in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
"The avenue to true equality for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will not be paved by a single person or organization - but by thousands who share a vision and a passion. The Catalyst Awards gives us an opportunity to honor like-minded leaders in fields both inside and outside of our network who are trailblazing to make the future more inclusive.
"The honorees this year have done amazing work that aligns with The Arc's mission. The goal of these awards is to inspire future advocacy and empower others to follow in the footsteps of these champions of inclusion," said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.
During the first year of this signature event, awards will be presented in seven categories. A full list of the accomplishments being honored can be found on
The Arc's website.
- Public Policy Victory of the Year - The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014
- Congressman Ander Crenshaw (FL-4)
- Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8)
- Senator Richard Burr (NC)
- Senator Bob Casey (PA)
- House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23)
- House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-32)
- House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5)
- Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (UT)
- Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (OR)
- Sara Wolff (Moscow, Pennsylvania)
- Stephen Beck will be honored posthumously, his wife Catherine Beck will accept the award on his behalf (Washington, DC)
- John Ariale (Washington, DC)
- Self-Advocate of the Year - Adonis Reddick (St. Louis, Missouri)
- Small Business Employer of the Year - Acadia Windows and Doors (Aberdeen, Maryland)
- National Employer of the Year - SAP (Newtown Square, Pennsylvania)
- Entertainment Industry Excellence - Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates & Gail Williamson (Los Angeles, CA)
- Individual Philanthropist of the Year - Tom Golisano & the Golisano Foundation (Rochester, New York)
- Federal Government Advocate of the Year - Tom Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (Washington, DC)
All nominations were reviewed by a formal selection committee consisting of members of The Arc's Board of Directors, national staff, and members of the National Conference of Executives Steering Committee. Criteria for selection can be found on
The Arc's website.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of 665 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.
Editor's Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.
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