Meeting highlights gains and one loss

The Greater Valley Chamber”™s Breakfast Club meeting in Shelton recognized businesses and their leaders for entrance into the community, and honored a recently deceased comrade of Shelton”™s business community, Bill Coffey, the founder of Latex International.

“Events like this are very informative; you get to know who”™s in your backyard and it gives you the ability to cross reference different businesses,” said Mayor Mark Lauretti of Shelton.
The keynote speaker was Rick McEttrick, president of BIC Corporation, which will be relocating to Shelton from Milford, bringing 350 employees.

During the event, salutes were offered to Paul Lambdin, president of Health Net of the Northeast; Richard F. Begley, president of Perkin Elmer Analytical Sciences; and Derek Chalmers, president of Cara Therapeutics.

The chamber offered Health Net honors for its position in the community as the valley”™s largest employer and leading taxpayer.

Begley was offered a salute by the society for his appointment as president last year and for the global launch of the company”™s latest initiative, dubbed EcoAnalytix.

The club offered Chalmers and his company honors for their relocation and expansion in Shelton as the Valley”™s first biotechnology company.

The Coffey family was in attendance representing the founder of Latex International who died Dec. 31.

Bill Coffey was born in Shelton in 1927. After he graduated from Shelton High School, he joined the Navy, serving until 1946. He graduated cum laude from Boston College in 1951 and then began a career in latex foam manufacturing that would last for over 50 years.

In 1975, he co-founded Latex Foam Products, now known as Latex International. Coffey was, at various times, its president, CEO and chairman of the board. During his long career, he also helped establish latex foam plants in Brazil, England and Canada.

Coffey was described at the event as an active volunteer and supporter of his community, often honored for his dedication and generosity with awards from the United Way and the Birmingham Foundation.

“I think even people who didn”™t know him, when they heard what kind of impact Bill had on the community and his involvement, found it hard not to feel some connection to him in the business community,” said Lauretti.

Coffey”™s family was in attendance. His children John, and Maureen, both on staff at Latex International, accepted the honor on his behalf.

Also in attendance was Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele, who reported on the efforts the state is making to improve the business climate. He declared that trade missions and recruiting operations to Europe and domestically would soon announce some successes in businesses moving to Connecticut.