Massachusetts convenience and gasoline retailer VERC Enterprises was honored for its outstanding leadership in hiring candidates who have gone through the Massachusetts Re-entry Program. State representative Eugene O'Flaherty (D) presented the award to VERC top executive Leo Vercollone during the August 14th ceremony held at Bunker Hill Community College. The re-entry program, facilitated by the Massachusetts Department of Career Services, recognizes the importance of building self-worth and instilling dignity by helping to find meaningful work for formerly incarcerated individuals, a Leo Vercollonesentiment that VERC Enterprises has taken to heart. Over the past three years the company has hired 25 individuals who have undergone the program; presently, VERC employs eight people who have taken the program. "We are honored to receive this award," said Vercollone. "Far too often, people coming out of prison and back into society face hurdles finding work, with the sad end result being a return to incarceration due to lack of opportunity. The Re-Entry Program, working in conjunction with businesses, seeks to turn that scenario around. The program provides careful screening regarding both rehabilitation and skill set, making the transition from formerly incarcerated to currently employed a straight-forward one." VERC Enterprises is a leading convenience store and Mobil/Gulf gasoline operator with locations throughout eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It has more than 230 employees and is a leader in hiring those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In 2011 VERC Enterprises was recognized by The Boston Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts and as a Leader in Diversity and in 2011 and 2012 by The Boston Globe as a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts.