Chamber President Looking Ahead to Support Troops/Honor Veterans Breakfast

The 2012 Middlesex County Business to Business Expo, originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 30th, has been POSTPONED. The event has been rescheduled and will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 with setup occurring on Monday, March 11th.  The Business to Business Expo will be held at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell. 

The Middlesex County Career Fair, originally scheduled for Tuesday, October 30th has also been POSTPONED.  The Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 following the Middlesex Chamber Member Breakfast Meeting with Governor Dannel P. Malloy.  This event will be held at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell and will run from 10:30 A.M. until 2:30 P.M. 

The Middlesex Chamber Membership Drive Winner’s Circle Event, originally planned as part of the Expo event, will be held on Monday, November 26, 2012.  This event will be held at the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam as part of the Chamber’s Business After Work Networking Event. 

Last week was another busy one in Middlesex County.  Tuesday afternoon brought me over to Commerce Drive in Durham for an Open House which celebrated the new Connecticut location of TMC Environmental.  TMC is a fast growing environmental remediation firm based in Massachusetts.   I was happy to spend some time with Matt Clark, President and CEO, and Tom Clark, Executive Vice President, and I welcome them to Middlesex County. 

On Thursday, I met with Andrew Gibson, CEO of AeroCision LLC in Chester, and Greg Guay and Paul Hughes from the Middlesex County Revitalization Commission.  AeroCision is a high level aerospace component manufacturer which is expanding in Chester.  We look forward to working with Andrew on some of his exciting new initiatives in the near future. 

Later on Thursday, I attended an open house at the Middletown offices of ARCADIS which celebrated the company’s recent expansion.  ARCADIS is an international firm that provides consultant services in the fields of infrastructure, water, environment and buildings.  I want to thank the ARCADIS team for their great work and for inviting me to this function. 

On Monday, November 5th, the Chamber will hold its 11th Annual Support the Troops/Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting.  This year’s event will once again be held at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell, with Networking beginning at 7:00 a.m., Breakfast Buffet opens at 7:45 A.M. and the Breakfast Meeting Program 8:00 to 9:00 A.M. 

We are pleased to welcome back as guest speaker, former Army Captain Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha, a recipient of the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military honor.  Each November, we gather to honor the Veterans who have served our country so bravely, and show our unwavering support for the troops who are currently serving.  Buddy Bucha is a terrific speaker and we are thrilled that he has agreed to once again address our membership. 

On Friday morning, I had a productive meeting at the Chamber with the owners of Ramani’s Menswear and Formal Wear, and Lastrina Girls Bridal Salon. This combined store will offer men’s tuxedos and women’s bridal gowns, and will be located at 308 Main Street.  I am happy to welcome my former player Scott Colavito, who manages Ramani’s Menswear and Formal Wear, and Krista Lastrina Matthers, Owner of Lastrina Girls Bridal Salon, to the downtown community. 

Friday evening brought me to the Northeast Collaborative Architects office in Middletown for a reception celebrating Oddfellows Playhouse and its National Endowment for the Arts: Our Town Grant. It was a great event that recognized quite an achievement for Matt Pugliese and Oddfellows.   

I must close this week’s column on a sad note. Jack Spangler, a longtime friend to me and strong supporter of the Middlesex Chamber, passed away recently.  Jack was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served on the Destroyer USS Jeffers during WWII. 

He was a fine businessman and a longtime member of the Chamber and our Board of Directors. Jack was the former owner of Esico-Triton International in Deep River, a manufacturer of hand soldering tools. He was a terrific man, and he will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this difficult time. 

For more information on Chamber events and activities, please contact Jeff Pugliese at jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com.