By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
Many people in Orion Township know the face of Roberto Vecchi. And many more will come to know him.
The Orion Area Chamber of Commerce recently named Vecchi, the General Manager of the Lake Orion Buffalo Wild Wings, as Business Person of the Year for 2014. The 2013 awardee was Joe Zimmer of Culver’s.
The chamber honors members like Vecchi for giving back to their community. This was the first year business members of the chamber nominated their fellow associates, unlike previous years where the chamber board of directors selected the nominees and winners.
‘He’s so positive and upbeat all of the time,? Alaina Campbell, director of the chamber, said. After receiving several nominations from business members, the board of directors selected Vecchi based on several different criteria.
First, nominees have to own or run a successful business. Check.
Secondly, nominees have to be involved in the community and giving back some way. Double Check. Vecchi estimated that since his time as GM, Buffalo Wild Wings has donated over $150,000 for local fundraisers.
Lastly, nominees have to be active chamber members. Check, check, check. Not only is Vecchi an active business member in the chamber, he volunteers for the Chamber Ambassador Committee which introduces new business members to the wonderful world of networking.
‘Our main function is to welcome them in, make them feel at home and invite them to networking events. We act as a conduit and show them how to get plugged in to maximize their benefits with the chamber,? Vecchi said.
This is exactly how Vecchi has grown to know so many different organizations outside of the business world in Lake Orion and Orion Township.
By connecting.
‘I just took the time to be really immersed within the community. Really, I just followed the leaders that are already doing great things, so winning the award is humbling because I’m just following the example of so many other great people,? he said.
Vecchi’s main goal since he became the GM Sept. 27, 2010, has been to increase Buffalo Wild Wing’s reputation not only as a business, but as being an active community member, ‘even beyond a partner, where we are a member of the community.?
Buffalo Wild Wings in Lake Orion currently hosts about 48 in-store fundraisers a year, where the restaurant matches a portion of the money raised by outside parties.?
This does not include all of Vecchi’s running around outside of the store, slinging chicken wings and smiles.
‘Go ahead and try to stop me. Try to stop me from bringing food,? Vecchi said to Matt Pfeiffer, owner of Northern Flooring and Interiors in Orion Township that hosted a fundraiser for Shop with a Hero’Wednesday.
It is fundraisers like these that have introduced Vecchi to the world of giving.
And he can’t stop.
Vecchi attends every fundraiser he comes across. He was out delivering food to volunteers during the Orion Area Cleanup after the horrendous April storms. He donated food to benefits for the Let Them Play handicap accessible playground that is ready for construction next spring. He’s at all the Concerts at the Park for Orion Township and Oxford. He’s a major presence at Dragon on the Lake, and a sponsor for high school and community sports in both Lake Orion and Oxford. This is only naming a few.
His second greatest accomplishment is opening the Lake Orion story to the fine tastes of Michigan’s microbrews.
Before, Buffalo Wild Wings offered the basics, a couple of popular brews, like Oberon or Blue Moon.
Now the list is huge, and the store offers 12 drafts of different Michigan microbrews.
None of this would have been possible without the amazing support of his superiors, who trusted him enough to introduce new aspects to the Lake Orion store.
‘It’s a great franchise to work for. They really take the third bullet point of their mission statement’which is being community connected’to heart, and they allow me to do a lot. You have to give back, that’s what the community wants. That’s what the community deserves.?
He also owes the success of his store to his ‘genuine? staff who have become like his family.
Still, he attributes his work with the chamber as one of the main reasons for Buffalo Wild Wing’s community oriented reputation.
?’The main thing I was exposed to was opportunities to help within the community,? he said, ‘because it’s such a great connected business community that extends to the family community and every other aspect. Being on the chamber opened up so many avenues to give back, and that’s what I really wanted to do.?
‘The more you get involved the more people want to support you because they see that you’re not here just to take their money as a business, you are here to enhance their lives, and that’s what I enjoy doing.?
Vecchi lives in Royal Oak, but said it feels like Orion Township is already his home. He plans to move here when he can. He’s a family guy, has four kids, and is working on his second book of poems.
He remembers one of his favorite fundraisers, gathering donations to help Alayna Zalac, who was diagnosed with leukemia.
‘I think her mom hugged me for a full minute, a genuine, great hug, and that’s what it’s all about. Changing people’s lives with what you can do. So that’s why I do what I do, for moments like that. Do they happen a lot, no, but they do. And that’s why I do it.?
He will be honored at the Orion Township Chamber of Commerce annual award luncheon’Dec. 4’to be held at Kings Court Castle at Canterbury Village.
Also, don’t miss him in the Lighted Parade’Dec. 6’waving from the convertible.