Accounting for good behavior
New Canaan-based accounting and consulting firm Reynolds & Rowella L.L.P. recently donated a “Day of Caring” by 38 staff members and partners to improve the grounds of Tarrywile Park, a 722-acre estate in the city of Danbury.
Since its 1985founding, Reynolds & Rowella”™s mission has been, in part, to make a difference for people living in local communities. The firm”™s efforts on behalf of Tarrywile Park represented nearly 300 volunteer hours.
The work this year included foliage trimming along 2.5 miles of Tarrywile hiking trails and laying three truckloads of new gravel along pathways in the Children”™s Garden. Employees and partners also weeded and cleaned up around the gazebo. The firm donated a park bench of recycled material to be placed in the gazebo.
Six lawyers are tops ”” bar none
Attorneys across Fairfield County were honored for their legal expertise and success Aug. 15 by being named to the 20th edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.”
In all, 6 Fairfield attorneys were selected: Michael A. Meyers of Meyers Breiner & Kent; Elaine S. Amendola of Amendola & Amendola; Scott Wilson Williams of Williams Moran; Richard G. Kent of Meyers Breiner & Kent; Amy E. Todisco of Braunstein and Todisco;Â and Louise T. Truax of Lax & Truax.
Lawyers nominated as “Best Lawyers” are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are evaluated by their peers on the basis of professional expertise and undergo an authentication review to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.
Those named a “Lawyer of the Year” received the highest scores in their practice area and region this year. “Best Lawyers” evaluated more than 131,000 lawyers globally and collected more than six million voting results for the awards.
Business development director for Stark
Tracey A. Di Brino has joined Stark Office Suites as director of business development.
With the recent announcement of its Greenwich location opening in fall 2013, the company will soon operate seven locations that feature full-time offices, virtual office services, a broad menu of technology options, high-end amenities and a staff known for providing unmatched service.
Di Brino will help the Stark brand grow its business throughout the metropolitan region.
“Tracey is a perfect fit for the Stark culture with her industry experience, dedicated work ethic and strong reputation for customer service,” said Adam J. Stark, president of Stark Office Suites. “Tracey is joining at a pivotal moment in the growth and expansion of the Stark brand in the Fairfield County market.”
New med school, new hospital agreement
The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University has signed a five-year clinical affiliation with Waterbury Hospital. The state”™s new $100 million medical school”™s inaugural class of 60 students started classes Aug. 19.
“Waterbury Hospital has a long tradition of training residents and medical students,” said Dr. Bruce Koeppen, founding dean of the medical school and vice president for health affairs at Quinnipiac. “We are pleased that they will now be teaching our students.”
Medical school students at Quinnipiac will have the opportunity to complete clinical rotations with required supervision at Waterbury Hospital beginning in the summer of 2015 and physicians working with the students will be appointed clinical professors at the School of Medicine.
Commercial focus;Â veteran banker
Citi Commercial Bank announced the promotion of Jonathan DeMarco to Business Banking director for New York”™s Hudson Valley Region/Westchester and Connecticut. His responsibilities include managing a portfolio of commercial banking customers and providing banking solutions to small- and mid-sized companies. Based in Stamford, DeMarco will lead a team of eight relationship managers who serve clients throughout the region.
“Jonathan”™s impressive track record makes him a natural choice for this position,” said William Howle, head of Citi”™s U.S. Commercial Bank. “Our focus on relationship banking is fundamental to our culture, and Jonathan has consistently demonstrated his ability to connect with clients by understanding their business challenges and providing the right solutions.”
DeMarco joined Citibank in 2003 as a senior vice president and relationship manager for Citi Commercial Bank.
How”™s business?
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks with Paul Lowe of Greenwich Admissions Advisors at the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce”™s annual picnic held at Byram Park Aug. 14. The picnic is designed to showcase western Greenwich and is sponsored by the chamber”™s volunteer Ambassador Group.
New CFOÂ at Reynolds & Rowella
Reynolds & Rowella L.L.P., an audit, accounting and consulting firm with offices in Ridgefield and New Canaan, announced the appointment of John D. Priola as the firm”™s CFO. Priola joined Reynolds & Rowella July 15.
Priola began his career in the construction and real estate industries at several New York accounting firms, rising to the level of principal, where he was responsible for all aspects of client management and service, from both the audit and tax perspective.
In 2001, Priola joined Northwestern Mutual Network/The Blumberg Group as CFO. In 2009, in transitioning from Northwestern Mutual/The Blumberg Group to Mass Mutual/True North Financial Solutions, he developed and implemented an administrative and operations plan to make a seamless transition to the Mass Mutual systems. He recruited two “Blue Chip” producers to Mass Mutual that ultimately led to five more productive agents joining the agency.
Priola is treasurer of the Richter Park Authority in Danbury, and has been a volunteer board member of Danbury Youth Baseball.
New countywide liaison for nursing
Stamford resident Dawn Pelazza, a registered nurse, has joined Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County as a community liaison nurse. In this role, Pelazza conducts patient assessment visits at all area facilities throughout Fairfield County, builds relationships with community and healthcare centers and serves as the primary nurse for consultation, assessment and coordination of care for all hospice patients receiving inpatient care. She recently received her certification from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.
Pelazza holds multiple nursing and health sciences degrees and certifications, including as a CPR instructor.
Dealmaking is on the menu
Ralph Michel, senior vice president at Westport-based HK Group, recently closed deals to sell John Dough”™s Pizza, Tim”™s Philly Steaks and Backstreet Restaurant. Michel has had 20 transactions in the past 12 months and he was recently named senior vice president.
The John Dough”™s deal featured the 3,300-square-foot restaurant and bar at 77 N. Main St. in South Norwalk. The buyer, Sweet Lucy Lynn”™s, will make renovations before opening for business. The Tim”™s Philly Steaks deal featured the 1,400-square-foot, free-standing building on US-1 at 336 Westport Ave. in Norwalk.
Kennedy Center revs up donations
The Kennedy Center, headquartered in Trumbull, has partnered with Cars 4 Causes to process vehicle donations. Car donations will help raise money for The Kennedy Center.
The program accepts cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, boats, trailers, gadgets, RVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, motorcycles, motorhomes, heavy equipment and personal consumer electronics. Cars 4 Causes will tow your car at no cost; send a receipt for your taxes; and make your donation to The Kennedy Center from the proceeds of the sale. Call (888) 392-8278 to donate.
