Gary Rogers Receives Woerner Kollmorgen Award
Nazareth College is pleased to honor the recipient of this year’s Woerner Kollmorgen Award, Gary Rogers, for his admirable efforts in improving the Greater Rochester community through his activism and volunteer work. The award recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions to the Rochester community in enhancing the quality of life for its members.
Well-known in manufacturing, former Jasco Tools President Gary Rogers is the founder and CEO of three local companies: Dock Hardware, Surplus Select, and AWR Rigging. A leader inducted into the Rochester Tooling and Machining Association’s (RTMA) Wall of Fame, Rogers developed training programs now taught at Monroe Community College’s Applied Technologies Center and youth job programs. The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) awarded Rogers its highest honor, the National Member Award, for developing national political advocacy and affinity programs that raised more than $1 million.
Rogers’ extensive community involvement includes terms as president of the RTMA, chairmanship of the Private Industry Council, and board membership with the Work Investment Board and the Boys and Girls Club. He co-chaired the Rochester Backs the Bills Stadium Committee. As honorary chair for the Salvation Army’s Roof Sit, he and Scott Spezzano raised $250,000. A longtime board member and past trustee of the Chamber of Commerce (Rochester Business Alliance), Rogers supports the group’s candidate endorsement process and fundraising efforts.
Passionate about voter rights, he founded Voters in Partnership (VIP) to support small businesses providing voter registration and education to become a strong, cohesive voting bloc. This program, implemented across the U.S., registered 10,000 new local voters its first year. In recognition, the Monroe County Board of Elections awarded him the Chiavaroli Citizen Award.
Under his leadership, Rochester won the All-America City Award, a valuable national designation for economic development. In 2012, he and his wife Suzette founded The Mia Foundation, an international not-for-profit that helps animals with birth defects. His hard work and dedication make Gary Rogers a deserving recipient of the prestigious Woerner Kollmorgen Award. The award was established by Louise Woerner and former Nazareth trustee Don Kollmorgen. Previous award winners include Walter Cooper, Ph.D., Robert Wayland-Smith, J. Christine Wilson, Justin Vigdor, T. Franklin Williams, M.D., and Carter Catlett Williams, C.S.W., A.C.S.W.
Don Kollmorgen, Gary Rogers, and Louise Woerner at the Woerner Kollmorgen Award presentation.