BOSTON – The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) New England Chapter honored the A.D. Makepeace Company Board of Directors at a festive ceremony in Boston on May 4.

“With a 160-year history in the cranberry business, the A.D. Makepeace Company, based in Wareham, Mass., is the largest private property owner in Eastern Massachusetts and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and land and water stewardship,” the NACD said in announcing the award. “John Makepeace was one of the three original founders of the Ocean Spray Co-Operative, in 1930. The board embraces a culture of responsible governance, with independent directors holding 40 to 50 percent of the board seats.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Chairman Robert Karam was Vice Chairman Eric Strand, with Jim Kane, president and chief executive officer of the company. Mr. Kane described the company’s advances in cranberry production.

“The company has thrived due to vertical integration and diversification,” Mr. Kane said. “Last century, the company manufactured its own scoops and wooden boxes. Today, we continue to fabricate our own harvesting equipment. An aggressive renovation program is increasing production, in some cases quadrupling the per-acre return. Abel Makepeace would be pleased with the progress we have made.”

Mr. Strand discussed its real estate development, notably the new village known as Redbrook in Plymouth, and the Rosebrook development in Wareham.

“What these two developments have in common is that they were constructed around cranberry bogs,” Mr. Strand said. “Jim mentioned that Abel Makepeace would be pleased with the progress we have made with cranberry cultivation. I like to believe that he and the other members of the Makepeace family are equally proud of this new element of the company, and how we have worked to celebrate our founder’s legacy.”

Also honored at the event were:

• Public Company Board of the Year: Boston Scientific Corporation
• Leadership in Corporate Governance Award: Corey E. Thomas
• Myra H. Kraft Award for Non-Profit Leadership: Benaree Pratt Wiley
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Jack F. O’Brien

The NACD New England Chapter is part of the larger National Association of Corporate Directors network, the only not-for-profit membership organization founded by and for corporate directors. NACD empowers more than 23,000 directors to lead with confidence in the boardroom. As the recognized authority on leading boardroom practices, NACD helps boards strengthen investor trust and public confidence by ensuring that today’s directors are well prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. World-class boards join NACD to elevate performance, gain foresight and instill confidence. Fostering collaboration among directors, investors, and corporate governance stakeholders, NACD has been setting the standard for responsible board leadership for 40 years.