Greater Rochester Chamber’s Small Business Council Affiliate Honors Jackling, Valerio with 2026 Business Person of the Year Awards
JULY 29, 2026 (ROCHESTER, NY) – The Small Business Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce affiliate, announced Glenn Jackling, President & CEO of Applied Image, Inc., and Anthony Valerio, Owner and Founder of Four Winds Chimney, as the recipients of the 43rd annual Business Person of the Year Awards. The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Rochester on Wednesday, July 29th.
This prestigious Business Person of the Year Award, first awarded in 1983, recognizes for-profit business leaders in Greater Rochester who have demonstrated outstanding success, growth, leadership, and service in both civic and professional areas.
Jackling received the award in a category among companies with under 40 employees. Glenn Jackling is a proud Rochester business leader recognized for building high-performing organizations through strategic vision, operational excellence, and a focus on building trusted relationships with all its stakeholders. Trained as a mechanical engineer and quality manager, Glenn began his career at Eastman Kodak, where he developed a reputation for tackling problems head-on, balancing analytical skills with practical leadership. He later transitioned into senior leadership positions in various organizations, successfully leading turnarounds, driving new business development, improving operational performance, and employee engagement. Since joining Applied Image in 2014, Glenn has been a strong proponent of workforce development, actively recruiting from East High, MCC, RIT, and other institutions, as well as sponsoring a unique apprenticeship program.
Valerio received the award in a category among companies with over 40 employees. Anthony Valerio has helped build what has grown into one of the largest independently owned chimney and fireplace companies in the country, scaling to employ more than 80 team members and providing career opportunities in an industry that has traditionally been overlooked as a path to long-term professional success. Under his leadership, Four Winds has made a deliberate commitment to leadership development, training, continuing education, competitive wages, benefits, retirement programs, and advancement opportunities. His commitment to service extends beyond the walls of his company, with active involvement in numerous community organizations and charitable initiatives including CURE Childhood Cancer, Margaret Home, Rotary Sunshine Camp, Habitat for Humanity, and more.
Small Business Council President Jordan Daniels said, “Congratulations to Glenn, Anthony, and all of our finalists! Your achievements have inspired us all, and your contributions to Greater Rochester make our community a better place. A special thank you to our event attendees and sponsors for supporting our small business community. Here’s to their continued successes!”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bob Duffy said, “Our region would not be the vibrant, diverse, thriving community it is without its small businesses. Our small businesses invest in the long-term vitality of our community – from sponsoring youth sports teams to prototyping innovative technologies of the future, these are the organizations that are truly integral to Greater Rochester’s DNA. Congratulations to Glenn, Anthony, and all of our finalists – the impact you have each made on our community through your business and community success is indelible. Thanks to our Small Business Council volunteers for organizing today’s ceremony, and to the over 300 guests who joined us to celebrate.”
Through its SBC Cares initiative, our Small Business Council affiliate also presented Community Partnership Award grants to The Community Place of Greater Rochester/Charles Settlement House and The Enterprise Center at PathStone. Each organization received an $8,000 donation to support its mission and help empower additional entrepreneurs and business leaders in Greater Rochester.
A complete list of 2026 finalists for the Business Person of the Year Awards is below:
Under 40 employees:
- Gino Broccolo, CEO, ninety two
- Nat Harrington, Founder & Owner, Nat's Nuts
- Glenn Jackling, CEO & President, Applied Image, Inc.
- Brian O'Sullivan, President, Frontier Abstract
- Susan Reuter, Owner, Flight Wine Bar
Over 40 employees:
- Cindy Shuman, Founder, Owner & COO, Lattimore Physical Therapy
- Naomi Silver, President, CEO & COO, Rochester Red Wings
- Mark Tolbert, President & CEO, TOPTICA Photonics Inc
- Anthony Valerio, Founder & Owner, Four Winds Chimney
- Alex Vigneri, CEO, DeCocoa Chocolate Crafters
To learn more about the 2026 finalists, please see the Business Person of Year Award Event Publication.
About Small Business Council
The Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, is led by a dedicated group of volunteer business leaders committed to supporting our local business community. Each year, the council hosts about events and charitable programming through the SBC Cares initiative to support a unified commitment to the community we serve.
About Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is the region’s one-stop shop for business support, influence, and community connection. Rooted in advocacy, compliance, talent, and belonging, our organization combines an unmatched depth and breadth of business support with the agility and dedication to turn possibility into progress and accelerate opportunity and action. Here, you’re in good company. Learn more at GreaterRochesterChamber.com.