Waterford — Scott Gladstone and Neil Ryan, co-owners of five Wireless Zone stores in the region and long-time supporters of nonprofit organizations, will share the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s annual Citizen of the Year Award, the chamber announced Friday.

The award will be presented at a dinner this spring.

Gladstone and Ryan own Wireless Zone stores in Groton, New London, Putnam, Dayville and North Windham, employing about 50 people. They recently sold five other Connecticut stores as well as one in Brattleboro, Vt.

In 2015, they worked with the Wireless Zone Foundation For Giving to deliver $43,000 in grants to the Center for Hospice Care, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, The Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Madonna Place, Thames River Family Program, Waterford Country School, American Friends of Kenya, Windham Hospital Foundation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut.

The business partners, both 46, met as freshmen at Keene (N.H.) State College. Gladstone lives in Waterford and Ryan in Mystic.

“Scott Gladstone and Neil Ryan have shown through their hard work and dedication that it is possible to grow a small business community in eastern Connecticut,” Tony Sheridan, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, said in a statement. “They are successful business owners who dramatically grew their business through smart management. Since 1992, their Wireless Zone locations have introduced us to exciting communication technologies while providing top-notch customer service.

“They also take care of the communities in which they live and work. Their charitable giving has provided a better future for countless children and families in our region. The Chamber is very proud to recognize them on behalf of the business community.”

The time, date and location for the Citizen of the Year dinner have yet to be determined. Last year, the award was presented to Mitchell Etess, who subsequently retired as president and chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority.