Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick will be honored by the chamber for her 30 years of service to the town and food entrepreneur Stacy Madison will be the guest speaker at the annual Needham Night Dinner on Jan. 29

Needham Night, presented by Needham Bank and Kaplansky Insurance, is a special evening dedicated to celebrating the town’s economic and cultural vitality. The event at the Needham Sheraton Hotel will also feature award presentations to local merchants, cocktail reception and a three-course dinner.

“Needham Night is our marquee annual event focused on the people, the companies and the nonprofits that make Needham a great community and a great place to do business,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “We’re especially excited to be shining the light this year on two individuals that exemplify this town’s strengths and spirit.”

Madison is the founder of Stacy’s Pita Chip Company, which PepsiCo, Inc. acquired in 2006 for $250 million. She now operates Stacy’s Juice Bar on Highland Ave. in Needham and has just launched a unique new line of raw energy bars under the BeBOLD brand.

“Stacy's success story goes from push cart to Pepsi Co, but through it all she supports her local community, stays true to her passions and strives to be bold,” said Samantha Sherman, Chief Development and External Relations Officer at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and a member of the chamber’s board of directors. “Her story is inspiring.”
 

Fitzpatrick was appointed as Needham’s first town manager in 2005 and has served the municipality since 1990 as town administrator, assistant town administrator and personnel director.

“Kate Fitzpatrick is the epitome of integrity and purpose in public service,” said State Rep. Denise Garlick. “Throughout her 30-year career in Needham and her tenure as town manager, her dedication and steadfast commitment has strengthened community initiatives and rebuilt the many public assets on which the people of our town rely.

“Kate consciously uplifts women leaders in the community and serves as a role model for the daughters of Needham,” Garlick added.

Prior to serving in Needham, Fitzpatrick worked in a variety of human resource roles for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is currently a member of the national League of Women in Government, past chair of the ICMA Leadership Advisory Board, and is a founding member of Women Leading Government in Massachusetts. Fitzpatrick received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the College of Holy Cross in 1984, and an MBA, with a concentration in Public Management, from Boston University in 1993. She is an ICMA Credentialed Manager.

“There’s just no way that Kate has worked for the Town of Needham for 30 years -- she hasn’t aged a bit,” said John Bulian, chair of the Needham Select Board. “Congratulations Kate.”

The third annual Needham Night Dinner, presented by Needham Bank and Kaplansky Insurance, takes place Weds. Jan 29, 2020 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Sheraton Needham Hotel, 100 Cabot Street, Needham. Tickets are available by clicking here.