Sharp Wins Big with Four Frank Awards

Hamburg, N.J. – Winners of the Frank Awards were announced at The Cannata Report’s 33rd Annual Awards & Charities Dinner at The Madison Hotel in Morristown, N.J. on Thursday, November 8. Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America dominated by taking home four trophies and industry icon Tom Johnson, founder of Global Imaging Systems of Tampa, Florida, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The event raised and pledged $180,000 for Tackle Kids Cancer, a philanthropic program benefitting the Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center. Official sponsors included Hytec Dealer Services, PSIGEN Software, and Continuum. 

Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the Frank Awards that acknowledge excellence in the business technology and imaging industry. The awards are determined by a survey of the independent dealer community sponsored by TIAA Bank and are given in 9 categories:

• Best-in-Class Manufacturer: Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America
• Best A3 MFP Manufacturer: Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America
• Best A4 MFP Manufacturer: Kyocera Document Solutions America
• Best Production Print Manufacturer: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
• Best Marketing Strategy: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
• Best Leasing Company: GreatAmerica Financial Services
• Best Software & Services Provider: ACDI
• Best Male Executive: Doug Albregts, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America
• Best Female Executive, Laura Blackmer, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America

The Cannata Report’s Annual Dealer Survey was conducted in 2018 and its findings reflect performances for the calendar year 2017. Ms. Blackmer, who is the only recipient to have won Best Female Executive since the award category was introduced four years ago, joined Konica Minolta earlier this year. Mr. Albregts was named executive vice president and group CEO of Scientific Games earlier this year.

This is the fourth time The Cannata Report has partnered with Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and to date, it has collectively raised close to $750,000 for the foundation. The Cannata Dinner has raised close to $2.5 million since its inception.

“Our event celebrates the vibrancy and the vitality of the business technology and imaging industry and the innovative companies and executives who are leading the way. This year we celebrated the past by honoring Tom Johnson and his extraordinary accomplishments that paved the way for the future of the independent dealer channel. We honored the present by acknowledging the leaders who are driving the industry in new and exciting directions. And, we look to the many possibilities that the future holds for an industry that is Alive & Kicking, as our theme so aptly describes,” said Frank G. Cannata, president and CEO, and CJ Cannata, EVP/publisher.

“Frank Cannata’s passion for his profession is only surpassed by his commitment to helping others. Tackle Kids Cancer is overwhelmed by the generosity of The Cannata Report. Our team of talented researchers, compassionate physicians and nurses and courageous kids, extend our heartfelt gratitude to Frank, his wife Carol and son CJ and all of the dinner participants, for partnering with us to Tackle Kids Cancer,” said Joseph Burt, vice president, development, Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation.

Robert C. Goldberg, general counsel of the Business Technology Association, served as the event’s emcee. Immediately following the Awards & Charities Dinner, an official after party sponsored by All Covered, the IT Services of Konica Minolta, completed the evening’s festivities. The next day, The Cannata Report hosted a Women Influencers Brunch, sponsored by AMETEK ESP to honor leading female industry executives and showcase its recently published Women Influencers issue.

Celebrating at The Cannata Report’s 33^rd Annual Awards & Charities Dinner are (from left to right): Scott Cullen, editor-in-chief, The Cannata Report; Shane Coffey, vice president, product management, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America; CJ Cannata, EVP/publisher, The Cannata Report; Joseph Burt, vice president, development, Hackensack University Medical Foundation; and Frank Cannata, president and CEO, The Cannata Report.