Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council Chairman Elected Board Chair of United Way

Rodney A. Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut at the organization’s Annual Meeting on January 26, 2018. He takes over for Brian A. Orenstein, President and CEO of Charter Federal Credit Union, who served two years as Chairman and will remain on the board.
 
Virginia L. Mason, United Way’s President and CEO, said that “Rodney cares deeply for the health and well-being of our community. He understands United Way and our mission, and how we are best positioned to change lives and make larger-scale impact. His leadership, dedication, and expertise are an asset to our organization, in addition to his genuine, caring nature, which will continue to strengthen United Way and its role in southeastern Connecticut. We look forward to working with him as our Board Chair.”
 
Butler was first elected to United Way’s Board of Directors in 2009 and was serving as Vice Chairman of the board for two years prior to his election as Board Chairman. He has also served for many years on United Way’s Campaign Cabinet which oversees the annual fundraising effort, and as Chair of Leadership Giving. Butler is engaged in the United Way Campaign at Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation/Foxwoods Resort Casino by helping with the fundraising effort, special events such as Stuff the Bus, sponsorship of United Way Agency bus tours, and much more.
 
A local Montville High School alumnus, Butler earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Connecticut, where he played Defensive Back for the UCONN Huskies' football team. Prior to service on Tribal Council, he worked as a financial analyst at Foxwoods Resort Casino. He later became Chairman of the Tribal Business Advisory Board; an executive body responsible for overseeing the Tribe’s non-gaming businesses and commercial properties.

Butler was actively involved in resort expansions at Foxwoods, as well as the Phase VII housing development on the Reservation. As Tribal Council Chairman, his focus is to ensure long-term stability for the tribal government and its business enterprises.

Butler is the founding Trustee of the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe Endowment Trust. In addition to his volunteer service with United Way, he serves on the Board of Trustees for Roger Williams University, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Mystic Aquarium.

About United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
United Way of Southeastern Connecticut is a locally-based non-profit organization supporting a network of 75 health and human services, programs, and initiatives in New London County that work together to help people in need and improve community conditions. Supported programs include early care and education, child development, employment training, physical and mental health care, crisis intervention, shelter, employment training, emergency/disaster preparation, and response and recovery service.
 
United Way operates the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center which provides food to 85 free emergency food programs, including a Mobile Food Pantry, at no cost to those in need. United Way supports 2-1-1 Connecticut for free information and referral 24/7 and Project Warm-up for one-time, emergency heating assistance. Visit United Way online at www.uwsect.org to get involved.