Vanden Brul Awards

The Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award was created in 1984 through an endowment fund established by Mr. Vanden Brul in conjunction with RIT's Saunders College of Business. The award is presented annually to an individual or business that has improved the economic life of Greater Rochester or whose innovation management skills have changed the course of an existing business. The award recipient is selected by a committee of area civic and business leaders and RIT faculty.

June 28, 2017

Giovanni "John" LiDestri, owner and CEO of LiDestri Food and Drink, was named the 2017 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award recipient.

In 2002, John LiDestri bought Cantisano Foods and changed the name to LiDestri Food and Drink. At that point, they were making spaghetti sauce and salsa and he decided to reinvent themselves. Today, they have expanded into the beverage and spirits industry, with brands such as Bai, an antioxidant infusion drink brand.

His commitment to LiDestri Food and Drink's employees and the Rochester community, while also delivering high quality products is the reason why he is honored with such an award.

For event photos, please check out our event photo highlight page. 

April 21, 2016

Thomas Bonadio, founder and chief executive of The Bonadio Group, was awarded the 2016 Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award.

As an active member in the Rochester community and visionary in the accounting industry, Thomas Bonadio encompasses all traits that Herbert W. Vanden Brul set out to recognize.

For photos of this event, please visit the event photo highlight page. 

April 21, 2015

Saunders College is excited that the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Award symbolizes the links that join RIT and the Rochester Business community. The 2015 Vanden Brul Award Honoree was John Smith, Chairman and CEO at Brite Computers. Read John Smith's full speech on "what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur."

Previous Winners