Fairfield County Newsmakers, 10.13.2014

Houlihan Lawrence celebrates year in Connecticut

Houlihan Lawrence recently marked the one-year anniversary of its Greenwich office. The office first opened with 14 agents and has since expanded to 36 agents.

“We”™re so proud of the success of our Greenwich office, which has sustained incredible momentum since day one of opening,” said Chris Meyers, managing principal of Houlihan Lawrence.

AmeriCares airlift benefit raises $2 million

Stamford-based AmeriCares”™ Airlift Benefit on Sept. 20 raised $2 million for emergency response and the global health organization. AmeriCares supporter and actor Tony Goldwyn was the special guest and featured speakers Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn spoke about their latest book, “A Path Appears.” NBC News”™ “Weekend Today” co-host Erica Hill served as emcee. More than 850 guests attended the event at Westchester County Airport.

First County Bank appoints Sweeney

Stamford-based First County Bank appointed Patricia A. Sweeney to the bank”™s commercial banking division as an officer and portfolio manager. Prior to joining, Sweeney was a commercial lender for more than 15 years at The Wilton Bank, which was later acquired by Bankwell.

Lockwood-Mathews awards and gala

In a reception to be held at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, author Steve Berry and the museum”™s education committee will honor six students at the museum”™s young writers”™ competition award ceremony, Oct. 18, 6 p.m., 295 West Ave., Norwalk.

The award presentation at 7 p.m. will be followed by “Mystery at Elm Park: The Mansion”™s Pen and Inkwell Gala” featuring Berry as keynote speaker, followed by the exhibit preview, “Hidden Treasures: Artifacts from the LMMM Collection.” Berry and his foundation will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from his appearance to the mansion.

Sponsors include M.F. DiScala & Company Inc., Klaff”™s, Xerox, Mimi and David Findlay Jr., People”™s United Bank, Macy”™s, David Scott Parker Architects, Lillian August, ShopRite/Super Grade A, GGP, The Hour Newspapers, media sponsor Connecticut Cottages and Gardens and graphic design sponsor TFI Envision. The event is co-chaired by Michael DiScala and Joseph Passero.

For information, call 203-838-9799, ext. 4, or email info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com.

Boys & Girls Club appoints Frieser

The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford appointed Neil Frieser, the vice president, internal audit for Frontier Communications Corp., to the club”™s board of directors.

Prior to joining Frontier, Frieser was vice president, internal audit for Warner Music and was responsible for managing Viacom”™s global Sarbanes-Oxley compliance function.

Johnson receives leadership award

Michele Johnson of Fairfield, a Sacred Heart University graduate, was granted the University College Alumni Leadership Award at the Sacred Heart University Alumni Association awards luncheon.

Johnson is vice president and chief risk officer at Bankwell. She also founded the Bank Compliance Association of Connecticut in 1989.

Mary Kay Foundation donates $20,000 to Women”™s Center

Danbury”™s Women”™s Center received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization”™s annual shelter grant program to maintain critical services. The Mary Kay Foundation awarded a total of $3 million to 150 domestic violence shelters in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam for October”™s domestic violence awareness month.

Schoebel joins Nations Equipment Finance

Norwalk-based Nations Equipment Finance LLC has appointed Adam Schoebel as vice president of business development. Schoebel will be responsible for Nations lease and loan origination activities, working out of the Newport Beach, Calif., office.

Schoebel previously served as senior account executive at Harbor Capital Group and held former positions at First National Capital Corp. and Partners Capital Group.

First County Bank grants $27,000 to nonprofits

Stamford-based First County Bank Foundation awarded six New Canaan-based nonprofit groups a total of $27,000 in grants to support the organizations, which include: Waveny Life Care Network, $10,000 to upgrade its nurse call system; Getabout, $5,000 for its senior rides program; Horizons Student Enrichment Program, $5,000 for its summer program; The Community Fund of New Canaan, $2,500 for their local programs; New Canaan Mounted Troop Inc., $2,000 for their therapeutic riding and horsemanship program; and Silvermine Arts Center, $2,500 for its art partners outreach program.

WSHU ”˜Thank You”™ event

Fairfield-based WSHU Public Radio Group recently held its annual Eastern Connecticut “Thank You” event in appreciation for its supporters, including members of its Leadership Circle and Broadcast Society. This year”™s events were held aboard the Mystic Whaler, which sails out of New London.

Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.