Chamber Corner with Larry McHugh

It is Christmas week in Middlesex County and around our great nation.  The holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year, express appreciation for those most important to us, and look ahead with a positive attitude to the year ahead.  I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce for their terrific support in 2013.  Our Chamber is truly lucky to have a dedicated Board of Directors which is led by our outstanding Chairperson Darlene Briggs.  Darlene has traveled all over Middlesex County and has shown outstanding leadership during the first half of her term.  Our county based divisions and industry based councils and committees continue to be very active and have had another terrific year.  We have had another great year of Member Breakfast Meetings and Business After Networking events which provide terrific opportunities for our members.  I am very proud of my dedicated staff which is made up of high quality men and women who I consider my colleagues, and more importantly, my friends.  Finally, I am blessed with support from my wonderful family and a great group of friends.  I want to wish everyone in Middlesex County, and throughout the State of Connecticut, a very safe, joyous, and happy holiday season.  I also ask that as we celebrate the holidays, we keep in mind the men and women of our armed forces who are serving at home, and around the world, to keep us safe and free. 

Last Thursday afternoon, the Chamber’s Board of Directors held its December meeting at The Gelston House in East Haddam. The Gelston House looked terrific as always, and the lunch that their staff served was delicious.  Anthony Assante, a past chairman of our Chamber and longtime supporter of the organization, sponsored the meeting as he does on an annual basis.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Anthony and his company, Egidio Assante Wealth Management, LLC, for supporting the Board luncheon and this Chamber.  We were joined at the Board meeting by Commissioner Catherine Smith of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).  Catherine provided an update to our group on the state’s economic development strategy including the Small Business Express loan program, and international outreach initiatives aimed at attracting investment into the state.  Commissioner Smith has done a terrific job during her tenure and I appreciate her accessibility, and her willingness to consistently visit and work with our members. 

On Friday afternoon, I attended a reception at the Middletown Fire Department on Main Street which honored the retirement of Chief Gary Ouellette.  Chief Ouellette served the Middletown Fire Department with distinction for 35 years.  I would like to wish Gary the best in his retirement, and thank him for his service to the city. 

I have attended many other functions over the past week and have enjoyed them all.  I want to offer many thanks to all of the hosts, and a special thanks to Ray Klick and Joe Serra for inviting me every year to their long running holiday events which bring a cross section of our community together.   

The Chamber is not missing beat as we look ahead to 2014.  Our Role Model of the Year Member Breakfast Meeting will be held on Friday, Jan. 3rd, as we welcome Army Sergeant First Class Joe Kapacziewski to Middlesex County.  Known as “Joe Kap” by his comrades and friends, Joe is the only amputee in the history of the United States Army Rangers to return to combat.  Joe was born in Durham and was educated in Bristol. He was injured by an enemy grenade on October 3, 2005 when his element was ambushed in Northern Iraq.  He suffered severe damage to his lower right leg, tissue damage to his right hip, and his brachial artery and median nerve in his right arm were severed. He spent seven months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center undergoing limb salvage before returning to Fort Benning, Georgia. In March 2007 SFC Kapacziewski had his leg amputated below the knee due to complications with range of motion and chronic pain.  He then went to Brooke Army Medical Center for six months of physical therapy and learned how to walk with a prosthetic.  Joe’s goal after being injured was to return to a squad leader position and lead Rangers.  He re-qualified on the Ranger physical standards by conducting an Army Physical Fitness Test, 5-mile run in under 40 minutes, 12 mile road march in less than 3 hours, fast rope out of a helicopter, and parachute with a combat load.  He then regained a squad leader position and was promoted to a platoon sergeant position.  Joe was the first Ranger to return to the line with a prosthetic and has deployed to Afghanistan five times with an artificial limb.  He has deployed ten times in support of the Global War on Terrorism and has been honored with a number of awards and decorations.  We look forward to adding the Chamber’s Role Model of the Year Award to that list.  Joe Kap is the author of “Back in the Fight”, a terrific book about his amazing story.  Copies of “Back in the Fight” will be available for sale, and a book signing will be a component of the Member Breakfast Meeting.  AT&T is the sponsor for this important Chamber event and we appreciate their strong support.  We are also looking forward to our February 10th Member Breakfast Meeting with Senator Richard Blumenthal, and our March 17th Member Breakfast Meeting with UCONN Head Women’s Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma.

I am afraid I must end this week’s Chamber column on a sad note.  John Simonzi, a long-time friend of mine who lived in Middlefield, passed away recently at the age of 82.  John was truly a good man who leaves behind a large family that loved him dearly.  He worked for the Connecticut Department of Labor for many years and was involved in a number of community initiatives including serving on the Board of Directors for the Levi E. Coe Library, volunteering at the Dinosaur State Park, and serving as a life member of the Mortlake Fire Department.  He was also a great member of the 5:30 a.m. morning YMCA team.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Millie, and their entire family at this difficult time.  John Simonzi will be missed. 

For more information on Chamber events and activities, please visit www.middlesexchamber.com