Tackling cystic fibrosis
Innovative Network Solutions Corp. a Stamford-based IT firm, and football legend Boomer Esiason, pictured, of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, announced the launch of GenietheGene.com ”“ a new educational character launched as an online comic book that aims to help children battling cystic fibrosis with easy-to-understand answers.
“Genie the Gene is the latest addition to Mr. Esiason”™s crusade against cystic fibrosis,” said Mike Dolce, leader of Innovative App Solutions, the web development arm of Innovatiove Network Solutions, who was instrumental in the creation of the Genie the Gene website. “Boomer became a passionate advocate for patients of cystic fibrosis when his own son, Gunnar Esiason, was diagnosed with the fatal disease at age two.”
Esiason played for the Giants, Jets, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. After retiring, he became an analyst full time.
“We are honored to have been able to team up with such a high profile client for such a good cause,” said Dolce.
Brown promoted at Wislon Elser
The law firm Wilson Elser has promoted Stephen P. Brown to deputy regional managing partner of its Connecticut offices. The firm has had a Stamford office since 2004 and recently opened an office in Hartford. His immediate focus will be on helping to grow the litigation practice in Hartford, an office the firm opened to support its growing government affairs practice and to better service the firm”™s insurance company clients.
Stew”™s and M&T boost water safety
M&T Bank joined the ranks of businesses supporting the Stew Leonard III Children”™s Charities in Norwalk with a $2,000 contribution to help fund swimming lessons for youngsters. Pictured, from left, are: Doreen Minor, director of the Stew Leonard III Children”™s Charities; Kim Leonard, co-founder of Stew Leonard III Children”™s Charities; Sam Tingley, M&T Bank”™s Connecticut group manager for commercial banking; Stew Leonard Jr., CEO and president of Stew Leonard”™s and co-founder of Stew Leonard III Children”™s Charities; Vince Summa, executive vice president and CFO of Stew Leonard”™s; John Parisio, M&T senior relationship manager for commercial banking; and Chris Beutel, M&T Bank associate. The Leonard family, which lost a child to drowning, has funded swimming lessons and water safety for thousands of area children.
Tales from the living past
Connecticut”™s proud history of invention and innovation is on display at Discovery Museum in Bridgeport.
State Sens. Andres Ayala, with scissors left, and Anthony Musto, right, helped cut the ribbon on a new exhibit showcasing Connecticut”™s industrial history. Display items include a high-wheel bicycle, letters from Mark Twain, photographs of Connecticut factory workers from the early 1900s and more.
“This exhibit is a reminder of where we”™ve been and where we”™re going, as Bridgeport rebuilds into a major center of commerce and industry,” said Ayala.
“In a rapidly evolving world economy, science, technology, engineering and math are four fields that are increasingly critical to the education of Connecticut”™s young people ”” and those are just what is on display here at the Discovery Museum,” said Musto. “This museum continues to be a great enrichment tool for people of all ages looking to further their educations.”
The museum has been educating Connecticut residents for more than 50 years.
Housatonic luncheon gives award
The Housatonic Community College Foundation announced its award recipient and chairman of the “Distinguished Citizen” luncheon for 2014. The announcement came prior to the second annual luncheon, March 13, at the Beacon Hall Events Center at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport. The lunch chairman was Michael LaBella, pictured, market president of TD Bank and a resident of Trumbull. LaBella has been the Connecticut market president for TD since 2009 and manages the bank”™s four regional offices in Wilton, New Haven, New Britain and Hartford. This year”™s Distinguished Citizen Award recipient is Michael E. Niedermeier, retired partner at BlumShapiro and also a resident of Trumbull.
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Mangan Recognized
Webster Financial Corp., the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A., announced Terry Mangan, senior vice president, investor relations, has been recognized on Institutional Investor magazine”™s 2014 All-America Executive Team list for excellence.
Mangan joined Webster in 2003 and has headed up the organization”™s investor relations function since that time. He received a bachelor”™s degree from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from the University of Bridgeport. He resides in Wilton, and is a member of the Finance Committee of the United Way of Greater Waterbury.
