ARCC Seeking Nominations for 36th Annual J. Walter Juckett Community Service Award

Pictured: ARCC President Tricia Rogers and 35th Annual J. Walter Juckett honoree Robert Nemer. Photo courtesy of Andy Camp.

It was about 36 years ago, when board members of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce (ARCC) got together and decided to create an award that would honor a community member for their philanthropic work and positive impact in our region. 

They named the award the “J. Walter Juckett Award” after a businessman whose leadership and commitment transgressed a wide range of civic, charitable, religious, political, business and educational activities. 

But who was J. Walter Juckett?
Before making his impact in our region, J. Walter Juckett attended and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in electrical engineering from Norwich University, a private military college in Northfield, Vermont.
He also met his wife Elizabeth there. After his mother, mother-in-law, and wife all succumbed to cancer, Juckett was inspired to find ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. 

With some strategic partnerships, the Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization (LCCRO) was formed in 1979, and after Juckett’s death in 1988, the LCCRO morphed into the J. Walter Juckett Cancer Research Foundation. To this day the Foundation provides funding for continued cancer research projects at the University of Vermont Cancer Center.

After receiving his engineering degree, Juckett began his career at the Hurlbut Paper Company in Massachusetts where his father, Frank A. Juckett, served as President.  But during the depths of the Great Depression, the Juckett father-son team were enticed to move to Hudson Falls, NY to take over management of the Sandy Hill Iron and Brass Works – a manufacturer that specialized in equipment for the paper industry. The Jucketts positively shaped the future of Sandy Hill and the pulp and paper industry.

Aside from his successful business career, Juckett was recognized as a major community leader in his adopted home, the Village of Hudson Falls, and the entire region. He was recognized with honors for his work and contributions to the Boy Scouts of America, New York Business Development Corporation, Salvation Army, Norwich University, Presbyterian Church, Hudson Falls Central School and many other organizations. Juckett also served as President of Richmor Aviation, Director of the Glens Falls Insurance Co., Director of Kamyr Inc., Director of Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company, Chairman of the Lake Champlain Cancer Research Organization, and Chairman of the Adirondack Samaritan Counseling Center. He was a tireless worker for the arts, having served as a director of the Lake George Opera, and a major force in The Hyde Collection Capital Campaign. The list goes on and on…

Juckett left behind a legacy of hard work, community service and inspiration. Scholarships, awards, and foundations carry his name, which made naming an annual community service award after him most appropriate. And here we are, 36 years later, seeking the next J. Walter Juckett Award honoree.

If reading some of J. Walter Juckett’s story has inspired you to do some good work in your community – great! If his story is reminiscent of someone you know, the ARCC wants to hear about it. 

Through July 8th, the ARCC will be accepting nominations for our 36th Annual J. Walter Juckett Award. We are looking to recognize and honor an extraordinary individual who has selflessly gone above and beyond by contributing time and energy to help others. 

Past honorees include Charles R. Wood, Paul E. Pontiff, Esq., Bob Joy, Elizabeth Miller, Mark Behan, Dr. John Rugge, and most recently Robert Nemer. These individuals founded, owned, and operated successful businesses & organizations and gave back to their communities by serving on boards, committees, task forces and more. We are fortunate to live and work in a region where individuals such as them live and work alongside us.

Please visit the ARCC website for more information, and to submit your nominations, before July 8, 2024: adirondackchamber.org/j.-walter-juckett-community-service-award

The 36th Annual J. Walter Juckett Award will be presented at the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on March 7, 2025 at The Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing.