Nutley Hall of Fame Inducted 8 New Members
Ceremonies were held Sunday, November 19, 2023
The 10th biennial Nutley Hall of Fame induction honored eight persons in ceremonies on Sunday, November 19. The selection included David Verdi, a top NBC Executive who was a Nutley High School graduate as well as Silas Mountsier, a well-known Banker and Philanthropist. Among the other notables were Mike Volpe, another Nutley High School graduate who has made his mark in the entertainment world as a music producer.
The 8 inductees include:
- Geri V. Bergen (1930-2018): Raised in Nutley and a 1948 Nutley High School Graduate. A forester and conservationist who turned her love of the outdoors into a groundbreaking career in forestry, a lifelong commitment to conservation, and a successful leadership role in natural resource management. A pioneer in the field of forestry and remembered as a “Woman of Many Firsts,” her most widely recognized “first ” was as the first woman in the U.S. Forest Service to serve as a Forest Supervisor
- William (Bill) Callanan Jr.: Raised in Nutley, a 1959 Nutley High School Graduate, and renowned jazz organist and recording artist. Toured worldwide as the pianist for Joey Dee and the Starliters before moving to Las Vegas to perform and conduct in orchestras for famous headliners. Bill later founded a jazz quartet of Las Vegas all-stars called the B3 Conspiracy where he played organ as a soloist and toured worldwide.
- Ron Corio: Raised in Nutley, a 1979 Nutley High School graduate, and innovator and influencer in the global renewable energy sector. Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Array Technologies, which pioneered solar tracking technology in 1989. His vision for renewable energy has led Array Technologies to become a world leader in solar tracking solutions.
- Silas Mountsier: Life-long resident, 1946 Nutley High School graduate, and a prominent figure in Nutley. He is celebrated for his distinguished career in banking, his unwavering commitment to philanthropy, and his influential roles in many local and national organizations. One of the many crowning achievements was his co-founding of the Mountsier-Hardie Gardens, which opens to various groups for both educational and fundraising purposes.
- Louis Joseph Riccardi: Resident of Nutley for 34 years, a 2008 Nutley High School graduate, and a thirteen-gold medal winner at the Saginaw, Michigan Area 22 Summer Special Olympics. As an athlete, commended for bringing attention to the Special Olympics, and demonstrating that with hard work and dedication, it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve excellence.
- Eaton Stone (1818-1903): Retired to Nutley in 1867 where he remained for twenty-seven years. Nicknamed “The Wizard Horseman,” he began as a plate spinner, a tumbler, and a horse groomer before he went on to become an international star, one of the leading riders in the country, and the first circus rider to do a backward somersault on a speeding barebacked horse.
- David Verdi: Raised in Nutley and a 1974 Nutley High School Graduate is an award-winning, seasoned media professional with a distinguished career spanning over three decades at NBC News. As the Senior Vice President of Worldwide News Gathering at NBC News, he exemplifies a deep commitment to journalistic excellence and news coverage and holds the reins of NBC’s newsgathering operation on a global scale. Throughout his career, Verdi has won three Emmy Awards, two Edward R. Murrow Awards, and a Peabody Award.
- Michael Volpe: Raised in Nutley, a 2005 Nutley High School graduate, and music producer. Known professionally in the industry as beat-maker “Clams Casino,” has garnered attention from distinguished hip-hop artists for his original productions and new sounds, and is one of hip-hop’s most in demand rhythm designers and producers. Also known as an architect of “cloud rap” or “based” sound, he has released multiple mixtapes, extended plays, singles, and signed with Tri Angle, Columbia Records, and Sony Music.
The November 19 induction ceremonies opened with a champagne welcoming toast at 2 p.m. with live music. Following the formal program starting shortly thereafter, guests enjoyed Nanina’s in the Park’s selection of foods at the congratulatory reception designed as an opportunity for guests to meet individually with the newly inducted Hall of Fame members. The event took place at the Nutley Public Library.