Suffolk Construction Company, Inc. CEO John Fish received the 2008 Hamilton School at Wheeler Life Achievement Award during the school's 20th anniversary celebration at the Providence Biltmore. Each year, The Hamilton School at Wheeler selects a noted individual who has overcome the challenges of learning differences to succeed in life - John Fish himself overcame dyslexia as a youth and has become a successful and influential entrepreneur and business leader. On March 7th, Fish visited the Hamilton campus to talk with students about his learning differences and visit classrooms. Students planned a construction theme of special activities to honor Fish's career with Suffolk.
Since its founding 25 years ago, Suffolk has grown into one of the most successful privately-held general building contractors in the country. In 2007, Suffolk's revenue exceeded $1.22 billion and its offices span the east coast, southeast, mid-Atlantic and west coast regions of the country.
Fish sits on numerous boards and industry posts responsible for improving the lives of children and families through education.
"Each year our students get very excited about meeting a successful person who has experienced the same struggles with learning as they have had. We are delighted to honor this year's recipient as he exemplifies the determined nature and inner strength that many people with learning differences must have to overcome adversity and the challenges of learning to read," said Jon Green, director of the Hamilton School at Wheeler,
Other past recipients of the award have included the late Fred Friendly, president of CBS News; children's author Avi, TWISTER game inventor Reyn Guyer, former NFL player Duke Fergerson, and migrant farm worker turned pediatrician Dr. Mary Groda-Lewis, among others.