FOUNDERS AWARD
TeamSNUG's highest honor recognizing exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to our community.History of the Award
In 2023, following the merger of the Startel and Professional TeleData user groups, the Don Berry Award and Allen Kalik Award were combined into the Founders Award. Today, the award honors both founders and recognizes members who continue their legacy through service, leadership, mentorship, and commitment to TeamSNUG.
The Founders Award is TeamSNUG’s highest honor, recognizing individuals whose leadership, service, and dedication have strengthened our community and advanced the industry.
Meet the Founders
ABOUT DON BERRY
Don Berry, founder of Startel, helped turn an automation dream into a reality. His vision, dedication, and commitment to customers laid the foundation for the Startel community and the businesses that grew alongside it.
ABOUT ALLEN KALIK
Allen Kalik was a pioneer in the answering service industry and the founder of Professional TeleData. His dedication to innovation, customer relationships, and community building helped shape the Professional TeleData user network and left a lasting impact on countless businesses and industry professionals.
FOUNDERS AWARD RECIPIENTS (2023-Present)
🏆 2025 Ryan Ambs, Ambs Call Center
🏆 2024 Stacy Polinsky, Tel-Us Call Center
🏆 2023 Kelly Davis, Nationwide Inbound Inc.
DON BERRY AWARD RECIPIENTS (1995-2022)
🏆 1995 — Herb Chinoski, Rochester Telemessaging
🏆 1996 — Susan Krems, Tel-Us Call Center
🏆 1997 — Dan L'Heureux, A-Alpha Answering Service
🏆 1998 — Peter Orvis, Central Communications
🏆 1999 — Gwen Corbett, Answer All
🏆 2000 — Randy Singh, Startel Corporation
🏆 2001 — Dan L'Heureux, TeamSNUG Executive Director
🏆 2002 — Barbara Willis, Startel Corporation
🏆 2003 — Chris Bell, MedCom Professional Services
🏆 2004 — Donna West, Focus Call Centers
🏆 2005 — Mary Jones, Answer 1 Communications
🏆 2006 — Larry Kinder, Combined Communications
🏆 2007 — Beth Cooper, Answer Quick
🏆 2008 — Aaron Boatin, Ambs Call Center
⭐ 2009 Special Recognition — Charlie Wich, Startel Corporation (In Memoriam)
🏆 2009 — Dirk Moeller, Business Connections, Inc.
🏆 2010 — Sheryl Denny, Startel Corporation
🏆 2011 — Tom Reandeau, Focus Call Centers
🏆 2012 — Peter Brousseau, MedCom Professional Services
🏆 2013 — Terri Paffile, Answer 1 Communications
🏆 2014 — Drew Ritter, Advantage TeleMessaging
🏆 2015 — Victoria Nelles & Jim Hoopes, Startel Corporation
🏆 2016 — John Carey, Startel Corporation
🏆 2017 — Renita Dorty, Nationwide Inbound
🏆 2018 — Margaret Lally, Startel Corporation
🏆 2019 — Nick Giacopuzzi, Alert Communications
🏆 2020 — John Martin, Startel Corporation
🏆 2021 — Ryan Chinoski, Rochester Telemessaging
🏆 2022 — Matt Bogan, Startel Corporation
ALLEN KALIK AWARD (2011-2022)
🏆 2011 — Ray Shaw, Business & Professional Exchange
🏆 2012 — Ken Goldenberg, Direct Line Tele Response
🏆 2013 — Royce Mitchell, iTAS Solutions
🏆 2014 — Phyllis Shaw, Business & Professional Exchange
🏆 2015 — Angelo Celesia, Professional Services
🏆 2016 — John Freire, Direct Line Tele Response
🏆 2017 — Nate Gefvert, Towne Answering Service
🏆 2018 — Dan L'Heureux, Executive Director, PINetwork
🏆 2019 — Jeff Wood, Contact One Call Center
🏆 2020 — Charlie Crown, Towne Answering Service
🏆 2021 — Jim Graham, Startel
🏆 2022 — Alan Hartmann, Startel
