Fairfield County Newsmakers, 9.8.2014

Reynolds & Rowella helps Danbury residents

New Canaan and Ridgefield-based Reynolds & Rowella L.L.P. recently donated a “Day of Caring” to make playground improvements on the Family and Children”™s Aid main campus at 75 West St., Danbury. A total of 29 volunteers merged two playgrounds on the property to create a more parklike environment.

Reynolds & Rowella L.L.P. began its Day of Caring in 2010 and has volunteered to help the Danbury Women”™s Shelter, Amos House, Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights Inc. and Tarrywile Park & Mansion in Danbury.

Carolee Jewelry to benefit AmeriCares

Stamford-based AmeriCares recently collaborated with jewelry company Carolee to create the AmeriCares collection. The collection is part of Carolee”™s new initiative, “Word Play,” which enables customers to wear their personal stories. The AmeriCares Word Play includes bangles, bracelets, a necklace and earrings. Carolee will donate $5 to AmeriCares for the sale of each item, with a minimum donation of $5,000. The jewelry will be available at carolee.com and select Macy”™s stores starting Oct. 15.

Stacey Tank awarded ”˜40 Under 40”™

Stacey Tank, 33, of Fairfield was awarded “40 Under 40” 2014 by PRWeek recently. Tank is the senior vice president and chief corporate relations officer at Heineken USA.

Tank has boosted Heineken”™s reputation among stakeholders and updated its communications strategy, the company said. She has also boosted employee engagement from 22 percent to more than 68 percent, an all-time company high.

Union Savings Bank awards $500

Union Savings Bank awarded Brenda Arnold of Newtown, Eddie Pittman of Danbury and Hector Rodriguez of Danbury $500 as part of its “Happy Debit Day” sweepstakes. The sweepstakes ran May 12 to June 30.

Quinnipiac students join L.A. program

Quinnipiac University in Los Angeles, a year-round program that incorporates internship and coursework, has 14 student participants. The students are: Nikki DiRico of Lynnfield, Mass.; Kimberly Fears of North Attleboro, Mass.; Lindsay Goldstein of Woodcliff Lake, N.J.; Kortney Kesses of Woodbridge; Brendan Latran of Long Valley, N.J.; Jasmine Martin of Sicklerville, N.J.; Jacob Morris of Brewster, Mass.; Taylor Roberts of Toms River, N.J.; Shayna Rothschild of Wayland, Mass.; Zachary Ruboy of Sharon, Mass.; Jessica Salem of Oceanside, N.Y.; Jennifer Salomon of Garnerville, N.Y.; Paige Sherman of West Haven and Lawrence Stayton of Avon.

Students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and Engineering and the School of Communications interned at such businesses as Coldwell Banker, Conan, Nickelodeon, the Television Academy and Warner Bros.

WSHU Public Radio Group picks news director

The WSHU Public Radio Group in Fairfield has named Dan Katz as its new news director. Katz previously served as producer of WSHU”™s most-listened-to program, “Morning Edition.”

In his new role, Katz will manage a team of six reporters. In addition to producing various segments and programs at WSHU, he also has reported on a wide range of topics, from politics and the economy to education reform, and was involved in planning, editing and production of WSHU”™s news programming.

“I am thankful for every moment I get to spend with our talented news team,” said Katz. “I”™m also grateful to our former news director Naomi Starobin for her mentorship and guidance.”

Banking in the library

Stamford-based First County Bank recently announced the addition of a new ATM, which is available in The Ferguson Library in downtown Stamford.

Union Savings partners with Red Cross

Union Savings Bank joined the American Red Cross for the bank”™s fourth annual blood drive. Last month, bank employees, their partners at Venutra, Ribeiro & Smith, with five offices in Connecticut and New York, and Danbury residents donated what organizers said was enough blood to save 120 lives.

Baumann joins Discovery Museum and Planetarium

Bridgeport-based Discovery Museum and Planetarium recently announced Stephen H. Baumann as its new executive director. Before joining the museum, Baumann served as president and CEO of the Starfinder Foundation and a founding member of the Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative. He received a B.A. in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.S. in science education from the University of Virginia.

DiElsi showcases bouquet collection

Director Danna DiElsi of Norwalk-based The Silk Touch is showcasing her handcrafted silk, floral bouquets at The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, 295 West Ave., Norwalk. The bouquets reflect the Victorian era”™s secret language of flowers. For ticket information, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com or call 203-838-9799.

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