The GCC Foundation Board of Directors recently presented Edward N. Tombs with the GCC Foundation Distinguished Service Award at the Foundation's Annual Meeting. Tombs, a Greenfield resident, has been the Foundation's Treasurer, Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee, Chair of the 2003 Annual Fund Campaign, and President of the Board of Directors from 2004-2006.

In presenting the Award to Tombs, Foundation Board President Elizabeth Sillin, said, "Ed has been a tireless advocate for GCC since 2001 throughout all sectors of the community, willing to tackle any assignment, no matter how big or small. He has been a tremendous asset to the Foundation, focusing on the important details of any issue while always keeping in mind the bigger picture. He has a great business sense and is a wonderful person with whom to work."
The GCC Foundation Distinguished Service Award was created by the Foundation Board of Directors in 1969 to honor Board members whose commitment and accomplishments on behalf of the Foundation and the College are extraordinary. The first award was given in 1969 to Al Lumley, the first president of the Foundation Board and one of the original incorporators. Prior to Tombs, the last two recipients were Robbie Cohn in 1998 and Bill Freeman in 2000.

Tombs worked at Greenfield Savings Bank throughout his career, including serving as President and Chief Executive Officer, until he retired in 1999. He graduated from Greenfield High School, Northampton Commercial College and the Graduate School of Savings Banking at Brown University. Since he retired, Tombs has volunteered for the United Way, Baystate Franklin Medical Center, the YMCA, and Greenfield Community College. In 2004, Tombs received the Recorder Citizen of the Year Award for his work in the community.

Reflecting on Tombs' service to the College, GCC President Bob Pura said, "Ed's retirement from leadership at Greenfield Savings Bank paved the way for his extraordinary leadership on the GCC Foundation. Over the years of his service, Ed has brought the experience of his past, vision for our future, and day-to-day guidance of our present. We are so fortunate that Ed has given so much of himself to GCC."

Commenting on his work with the Foundation, Tombs said "When I retired, I wanted to give back to the community that had supported me when I was president of the bank. I realized that GCC is such an important facet of Greenfield and Franklin County, impacting so many lives. My three daughters graduated from GCC and I can't imagine this community without it."

He continued, "I'm surprised and very honored to receive this award, as I know it has been awarded only a few times. Volunteering for the GCC Foundation and other organizations in the community has been a two-way street. It has given me a chance to stay active in the community and to stay connected with many people I've known for years."