Chamber Announces Regional Chamber Awards Winners

 
Waterford, CT – The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is pleased to announce the winners of the Regional Chamber Awards, which will be given at the Chamber’s March 3, 2015 Annual Meeting featuring CT Governor Dannel Malloy. 

Winners are Joshua’s Limousine Service for Small Business of the Year, FoxGlove of East Lyme for Community Revitalization Leader of the Year, Dianne Kent for Volunteer of the Year, and Cathy Zall for the Chamber’s Board of Directors Special Award.

A highlight of the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, the Regional Chamber Awards are presented to businesses and individuals who display an outstanding commitment to further developing eastern CT.  Recipients are recognized by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT for their work making the region a great place to live, work, and play for residents, prospective residents, and visitors alike.

 “These individuals and organizations represent the heart of our region,” said Tony Sheridan, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. “Through their hard work and dedication, they prove that our community is fortunate to have so many talented people working to raise the bar for living and working in the area.  The Chamber is very proud to recognize all they have accomplished for eastern CT.”

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting will be held 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. March 3, 2015 at Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton.  It will feature a keynote presentation from CT Governor Dannel Malloy, a look back at the Chamber’s accomplishments in 2014, projections into 2015, the introduction of the Chamber’s new Board Members, and the presentation of the Regional Chamber Awards, followed by a heavy hors d'oeuvres reception. Admission is $40 per person.  Register and learn more online at www.ChamberECT.com/events.

The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative (CMEEC), Pfizer, Joshua’s Limousine Service, Savings Institute Bank and Trust, A Beautiful Company General Contractors, Covanta Southeastern CT, Minuteman Press, New London Harbour Towers, and Siegel, O'Connor, O'Donnell & Beck, P.C.

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Joshua’s Limousine Service, Small Business of the Year, offers private clients and business travelers dependent, elegant ground transportation in the region.  The Chamber congratulates Joshua’s Limousine for its continued success and growth in CT after 20 years.  Joshua’s Limousine keeps jobs and talent in eastern CT and supports a breadth of community non-profits and initiatives.

FoxGlove, Community Revitalization Leader of the Year, is a new development in East Lyme, owned by Seema Mukherjee and home of her business Kumon Math and Reading Center of East Lyme. The property, formerly a blighted building on CT Route 161, was fully renovated and expanded and now offers space for a number of other vendors. A ribbon cutting for the project was held in January of 2014, and work continues to be done to improve the space for new businesses coming in.  

Dianne Kent, Volunteer of the Year, is a Senior Specialist for Community Relations for People’s United Bank.  Dianne is an ever-dependable presence at Chamber events, assisting the Chamber in many capacities at awards ceremonies, Business Breakfasts, Business After Hours Networking Events, and community events throughout the region.

Cathy Zall, recipient of the Chamber’s Board of Directors Special Award, is Executive Director of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.  Her constant push for innovative strategic partnerships embodies the Chamber’s mission to build the community as one whole region, and the Chamber admires her unwavering dedication to finding lasting housing solutions for those in need.

Recipients for 2013 were A Beautiful Company General Contractors for Small Business of the Year, David Preka for Volunteer of the Year, Norwich Community Development Corporation for Community Revitalization Leader of the Year, and Maggie Jones, who won the Chamber’s Board of Directors Special Award.

About The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut:
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is a collaborative of business and community leaders dedicated to securing and enhancing the economic vitality of eastern Connecticut. The Chamber works to create value for its members and the region by providing forums for business networking, leadership and discussions of issues that affect the region; providing opportunities for members to showcase their products, services and accomplishments; helping small businesses succeed through educational programs; and working to reduce the costs of doing business in Connecticut. For more information: www.ChamberECT.com.