Fairfield County Newsmakers 9.2.2013

The compass pointed to Wilda

The Women”™s Business Council of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce has honored Wilda Hayes, former president and CEO of Ann”™s Place, The Home of I Can, as its 2013 Heart of Women Award recipient.

Hayes retired in July after serving for the last 16 years.

“We received many outstanding nominations this year and our committee was tasked with making a difficult decision; however, in light of her years of dedication, extraordinary accomplishments and the fact that she did all of this without ever accepting a salary, our compass kept directing us to Wilda,” said JoAnn Cueva, coordinator of the Women”™s Business Council and a member of the nominating committee.

Hayes will be presented with the award at a formal dinner reception Oct. 17 at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury. The WBC will also present special Honorary Heart of Women recognition to First Selectman Pat Llodra of Newtown, and Janet Robinson, former superintendent, Newtown Public Schools. For more information, contact JoAnn Cueva at 743-5565.

Healthy while working

The Business Council of Fairfield County”™s “Healthy Workplace Employer Recognition” program has become the No. 1 award in Connecticut recognizing the outstanding achievements of businesses and organizations in implementing employee health and wellness initiatives.

To promote participation and accommodate the busy time surrounding employers”™ benefits open enrollment, the “Healthy Workplace” application is now available at the Business Council website. Deadline is January 6. Self-nominations are entirely appropriate.

In 2014, the Business Council will honor employers in three levels: platinum, gold and silver. In addition, a “best practices” panel of chosen honorees should add significant substance to the event. Call 705-0668 for details.

A little fishy told me ”¦

Responding to the new and expanding digital opportunities for connecting with visitors and supporters, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has hired an associate of social media engagement.

Cara Kenefick will represent the aquarium across various social platforms, creating and contributing original content, responding to posts, managing the aquarium”™s social accounts and assisting with digital branding strategies.

“Doing social media well at the Aquarium has become a full-time job and Cara will be an integral part of expanding our outreach,” said Chris Loynd, marketing director. “It is important that our visitors always have new and exciting ways to connect with us and to share information about the Aquarium, events, programs, IMAX movies and more.”

Pullman & Comley with 25 top lawyers

Twenty-five attorneys from Bridgeport-based Pullman & Comley L.L.C., were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America 2014,” compiled by Woodward/White Inc. of Aiken, S.C.

The Pullman & Comley attorneys included in the 2014 edition include Michael J. Andreana, public finance law; David P. Atkins, legal malpractice law; and defendants, commercial litigation and ethics and professional responsibility law; Elizabeth J. Austin, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law; Deborah S. Breck, trusts and estates; Frank B. Cleary, public finance law; Geoffrey F. Fay, real estate law; Andrew A. Glickson, land use and zoning law, real estate law; Eliot B. Gersten, commercial litigation; Andrew C. Glassman, corporate governance, compliance and mergers and acquisitions law; Alex V. Hernandez, criminal defense, white collar; Joshua A. Hawks-Ladds, litigation and labor law; Lee D. Hoffman, energy and environmental law; Frederic L. Klein, energy and water law; Nancy D. Lapera, employee benefits law; Christopher P. McCormack, environmental law; Jonathan B. Orleans, litigation, labor law; Alan S. Parker, trusts and estates law; Michael G. Proctor, real estate law; Richard C. Robinson, litigation and construction law; Gregory F. Servodidio, eminent domain and condemnation law; James T. Shearin, litigation, securities, antitrust, banking and finance, intellectual property and commercial litigation; James B. Stewart, trusts and estates; Marcy Tench Stovall, ethics and professional responsibility law; James P. White Jr., real estate law; and Diane W. Whitney, commercial litigation and environmental law.

In addition, Jonathan Orleans was named to the “Best Lawyers”™ 2014” list as a “Lawyer of the Year” in Stamford. The firm has offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury and White Plains.

Battling for babies

In the spirit of volunteerism, Northwestern Mutual, through its charitable foundation, is recognizing Marycatherine Parr for her work with the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter as part of the company”™s 19th annual community service program. Parr is an associate wealth management adviser at Northwestern Mutual, The Bender Financial Group, in Westport.

The award honors Northwestern Mutual financial professionals that demonstrate exemplary service with a local nonprofit. In addition, the award secures a $10,000 grant for the nonprofit the representative supports.

March of Dimes helps women have full-term pregnancies and researches the problems that threaten the health of babies. Since 2005, Parr has held numerous fundraising events and served on various March of Dimes committees. Parr and her family have been ranked among the top 25 Connecticut teams.

“My family and I began our March of Dimes relationship in 2005,” said Parr. “Since I couldn”™t imagine life without my two daughters, it was important to support an organization whose researchers are seeking causes of premature birth and ways to prevent it, giving every family the chance for a strong, healthy baby.”

March of Dimes will use the grant to support research aimed at preventing birth defects, premature delivery and infant mortality.

In fiscal year 2013, the foundation will contribute $16.9 million to nonprofit organizations across the country.

Real estate lawyer joins Pullman & Comley

Michael A. Ceccorulli has joined Pullman & Comley L.L.C. as an associate in the real estate department, the law firm reported. He will work from the Hartford and Bridgeport offices.

Ceccorulli represents clients in all aspects of commercial real estate and corporate matters, including the acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing of commercial real estate and the sale and acquisition of privately held businesses. He also represents clients in land use and zoning matters. Prior to working in Connecticut, he practiced law in New York and represented national telecommunications companies and an international chain of convenience stores in real estate matters.

Walking the walk of good health

Kevin Byrne has signed on as regional director for the American Heart Association where he will oversee the Fairfield Heart Walk event, set for Saturday, Oct. 19, at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. The Heart Walk is part of the “My Heart. My Life.” campaign, a comprehensive health, wellness and fitness initiative.

The Heart Walk is the AHA”™s top event for raising funds to battle this country”™s No. 1 and No. 4 killers: heart disease and stroke. Through the year-round campaign, company and community groups are encouraged to promote walking 30 minutes daily to improve heart health.