Bob Wood Honored With This Year's Ankeles Award

Each year the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes one of its members for selfless dedication to the community and strong civic leadership -- qualities in the same spirit as the late Harry Ankeles.

Ankeles was a Peabody resident, lawyer and longstanding member of the Chamber lauded as a great business and civic leader. This year's Ankeles Award winner is Bob Wood of Wood Trucking Corp.

Wood, who will be honored at the Chamber's annual dinner Nov. 6, was praised for being very active in the community, employing Peabody residents and always willing to lend a hand to "benefit the greater good." Wood was selected by the Chamber’s community service committee.

"He is willing to take risks to help others as well as share his time to help someone get back on the right track. He volunteers his time and resources to help make Peabody shine, from landscaping or mulch for one of the public schools or weeds that need to be removed from a city street," reads an announcement from the Chamber.

Additionally, he was lauded for assisting numerous youth and nonprofit organizations throughout the city.

"Bob demonstrates a selfless commitment to Peabody that is very rare. Few people realize that over many years, Bob has volunteered countless hours of his time and his expertise to make the city of Peabody a safer and more attractive place to live and work," said Martha Holden, who chairs the PACC’s community service committee.

Wood joins the ranks of past honorees such as former Mayor Mike Bonfanti, late Mayor Peter Torigian, Chuck and Martha Holden, Bill Power, Warren Waugh and late former City Solicitor Larry O’Keefe.

The PACC came up with the award 20 years ago to recognize business leaders who contribute to the cultural heritage of the city in the same way that Ankeles did throughout his lifetime.

“Society looks to the business community to play an active role in supporting the very fabric of our city. Community service comes in many shapes and sizes, but it is a pleasure to have this opportunity annually to recognize an individual that goes above and beyond,” said PACC President and CEO Deanne Healey.

Wood will be honored Nov. 6 at Spinelli’s on Route 1. The evening gets underway at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Family, friends and business associates are invited to attend. Tickets are $65 per person and pre-registration is required.

And that's not all, there will also be a special keynote speaker -- 7News investigative reporter and mystery author Hank Phillippi Ryan. She recently won the 2013 Mary Higgins Clark Award and released her latest thriller, "The Wrong Girl," in September.

For more information contact the PACC at 978-531-0384.

Past Ankeles honorees

• Tom Gould (2012)
• Mayor Michael Bonfanti (2011)
• H. Ray Wallman (2010)
• Lawrence O’Keefe (2009)
• Warren Waugh (2008)
• Fran McCormack (2007)
• William Power (2006)
• Martha and Chuck Holden (2005)
• Dave Gravel (2004)
• Jack Wells (2003)
• Herb Harris (2002)
• Barbara Kelly (2001)
• Arthur Holden (2000)
• Mayor Peter Torigian (1999)
• Marc Freedman (1998)
• Margaret Pedro (1997)
• Thomas Aguiar (1996)
• James Burke, Esq. (1995)
• Arthur Gordon (1994)
• Ben and Maureen Brodeur (1993)
• Stephen Hendrickson (1992)
• Ted Jones (1991)