This year marks the 46th anniversary of the founding of Gorman Richardson Lewis Architects (GRLA), and in keeping with a commitment made in 2016, the firm continues to work on initiatives that contribute to the community in a meaningful way, including providing pro-bono design work, volunteering and charitable giving.

“Our original 40 for 40 commitment has just organically extended as we enter our 46th year as a firm,” said Scott Richardson, the company’s president and founding principal. “During the pandemic we’ve seen how vitally important it is to be engaged with the community, and our staff is always quick to suggest an initiative or to volunteer when asked.”

When a local family was displaced after a fire destroyed their home, GRLA provided pro bono design work on a new home. The firm also has offered in-kind services to the United Way of Tri-County as it looked to relocate its food pantry and provided master planning services for three camp properties belonging to the West Suburban YMCA.

“One of the community-based programs we are happy to support is Life-Skills, Inc. We provided them with substantially discounted design services for their recent relocation in Gardner,” offered Richardson. “They provide a wide variety of services to individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical and emotional disabilities throughout Central and Western Mass.”

Supporting the arts and cultural institutions has been a mainstay of the firm. The Hopkinton Center for the Arts has benefited from GRLA’s involvement in every phase of its growth and expansion and GRLA currently is assisting on the master planning for its next era of growth. GRLA’s other recent pro bono work includes consulting with the New England Air Museum in Connecticut and with the historical House of Seven Gables in Salem.

Since 1976, GRLA has nurtured a company culture that emphasizes service to others and working with organizations that contribute to the broader community.

Resident named VP of Make-A-Wish board

Hopkinton’s Timothy Grady was named vice president of the Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island Board of Directors.

A board member since 2019, Grady will chair the audit committee and continue to serve on the executive committee.

Grady is the managing partner of PwC’s trust solutions segment, which comprises PwC’s legacy assurance and tax compliance and reporting businesses. He is responsible for directing the strategy and operations for the firm’s trust solutions segment across all markets of the United States and Mexico.

“[New Chair Al Rose] and Tim are extremely passionate about our mission and I’m confident that they’ll guide us toward achieving our goal of reaching every eligible child in Massachusetts and Rhode Island,” said Sean Holleran, CEO of Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “The dedication Al, Tim and the rest of our Board have to our organization is an inspiration to us all.”

Make-A-Wish is an organization that fulfills wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Blackstone advisors recognized

Hopkinton-based Blackstone Valley Wealth Management’s two advisors, James A. Valis and Gregg R. Manis, were recognized with the 2022 Five-Star Wealth Manager Award in the February edition of Boston magazine. This is the eighth straight year they have been honored, since the opening of Blackstone Valley Wealth Management in 2013.

Valis and Manis are managing partners at Blackstone Valley Wealth Management, located at 22 South Street, and have been providing financial services to clients in the New England area for more than 40 years collectively.

Hopkinton native wins writing award

Hopkinton native Z.T. Bright was named a winner in the Writers of the Future contest and will be honored April 8 at an awards gala in Hollywood.

Now a financial planner living with his family in North Salt Lake, Utah, Bright was the winner of the inaugural Mike Resnick Memorial Award in 2021. His writing ranges from science fiction short stories to middle-grade fantasy novels.

Oasis Wealth’s McNamara honored

Connell McNamara, a financial advisor with Hopkinton-based Oasis Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, was named a recipient of the 2022 Five-Star Wealth Manager award by Five Star Professional. The award goes to less than 7 percent of the wealth managers in the region based on research administered by Five-Star Professional, a third-party research firm.

To receive the 2022 Five-Star Wealth Manager award, a wealth manager must meet 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria associated with providing quality services to clients including client retention rates, client assets administered, firm review and favorable regulatory and complaint history.

McNamara, a graduate of Bryant University with a degree in business administration, has nine years of experience serving clients in the financial services industry.