Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja of the United Way of Greater Nashua presents Mark Katis with the Ron Kraus Outside the Profession Award, which he accepted on behalf of his father George Katis during the Nashua Education Foundation’s annual Excellence in Education Awards ceremony on Oct. 18. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – Business mogul George Katis recently became the eighth recipient of the coveted Ron Kraus Outside the Profession Award during the Nashua Education Foundation’s annual Excellence in Education Awards ceremony.

During the Oct. 18 ceremony, Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja of the United Way of Greater Nashua lauded Katis for his continued support of the Nashua Goes Back to School event, which he helped launch 20 years ago.

“George has been the driving force in providing funding for that event,” she said, adding that Katis continued his financial support despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “The year of COVID, he ordered 1,500 jump ropes and 1,500 packets of chalk.”

Katis, the longtime owner of the Nashua Wallpaper and Decorating Center, also ran the Magic Carpet Ride and provided books for the Fairy Tale Festival.

In addition to Nashua Wallpaper, Katis has owned Queen City Paint, Dean’s Carpet and W Carpet since 1993.

“It’s very appropriate that he’s receiving this award,” said Melizzi-Golja.

In previous years, Katis was honored as Business Person of the Year, Citizen of the Year and is a recipient of the Good Scout Award.

Prior recipients of the Outside the Profession Award include Stanley Stoncius, Robert Sherman, Dr. Carl Quimby and Helen Honorow.

The ceremony also recognized 14 Nashua educators for excellence in their subject areas.

Among them were Neeta Masand of Nashua High School North who was named High School Teacher of the Year, Joy Simeone of Pennichuck Middle School who was named Middle School Teacher of the Year as well as Melissa Dimeo and Erin O’Connell of New Searles Elementary School who were named Elementary School Teachers of the Year.

Since it was founded 13 years ago, the Nashua Education Foundation has provided $150,000 for more than 100 enrichment projects across the district.