Find out what’s happening on the local business scene

EMPLOYMENT

Leslie McKillip of Madison recently joined Chelsea Groton Bank as vice president and commercial loan officer. Most recently, she was a vice president, senior commercial loan officer at Liberty Bank in Middletown. Prior to that, she was assistant vice president, small business relationship manager at J. P. Morgan Chase Bank in Milford. For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com.

Wendy Gencarelli has been promoted to staff development manager at Westerly Community Credit Union. She will continue her role as a registered representative of CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. and a licensed insurance agent. She has been with WCCU for more than 14 years, most recently serving as financial service manager of the Dunn’s Corner Branch. Jillian Jarrett has been promoted to financial service manager of the Dunn’s Corner Branch. She has been with WCCU for more than six years. For more information, visit www. westerlyccu.com or call (401) 596-7000.

Electric Boat President Jeff Geiger has announced the retirements of Ken Blomstedt, vice president of quality and radiological controls, and Terry Fedors, vice president for design and engineering. Blomstedt retired on June 28 following 40 years of service. Fedors will retire on July 26 following 33 years of service.

Will Lennon has been appointed vice president — quality and radiological controls. Lennon, who most recently was vice president of the Columbia-class submarine program, will be succeeded in that role by Beth Rafferty, formerly director of engineering–integrated power systems. Rafferty will be succeeded by Christian Drew, formerly senior manager of the compatibility test facility integration and main propulsion motor development. Both Lennon and Rafferty will report to Geiger. Drew will report to Emil Casciano, who has been named vice president for design and engineering. Taking over that role is Dave McCann, who will be responsible for all nuclear operations, nuclear test, fueling operations, and nuclear overhaul and repair engineering.

WORKSHOPS

SCORE will host “Developing Your Networking Skills.” Monday, July 22, 5:307 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road, Groton. For more information contact Anne Driscoll at anne. driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT hosts a seminar on ConnectiCare Medicare Plan Information presented by Mark Lee of Mark Lee and Associates on July 18. The seminar will explain how Medicare works, when to sign up and how to get additional benefits with a Medicare Advantage plan. The seminar is free and will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices, 914 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Women’s Business Development Council will host:

“Personal Finance Counseling” Samantha Cross, Coach, Wednesday, July 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St, Suite 419, New London.

“Build Your B.A.I.L. (Banking, Accounting, Insuring, Legal) Team,” industry panel, July 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

“QuickBooks Counseling” Carla Demers Coach, Thursday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St, Suite 419, New London.

Programs are free. Register at www.ctwbdc.org or contact Susan Hackett at shackett@ ctwbdc.org.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT with Miranda Creative present a workshop “Wertz on Words: Best Practices for Google Products to Drive Conversions” on July 24 from noon to 1 p.m. Digital Media Specialist Ron Wertz of Miranda Creative will discuss how Google Ads allow businesses to digitally serve their products or services to targeted users while they are searching the internet for the things businesses offer. Space is limited, and preregistration is requested with a cost of $5 for chamber members, $15 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT brings a panel of transportation experts to its July Business Breakfast: By Land, By Sea, By Air. On July 24, 7:45-9:15 a.m., an update on transportation in the state will be provided by Joseph Giulietti, commissioner of the Department of Transportation; Kevin Dillon, executive director of the state Airport Authority, and Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, who is Chairwoman of the Connecticut Port Authority. The event will be held at Banquets by La Luna Ristorante in New London, and registration is $17 for Chamber members, $25 for nonmembers before July 22, with $5 added after. For more information about the event, sponsorship or advertising in the program, visit www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

Community Concierge is hosting a Let’s Go Local event that takes participants on a Shoreline Brewery Tour on July 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kicking off in Mystic, the tour on a motor coach heads to 30 Mile Brewing Company in Old Saybrook, then to The Beer’d Brewing Company and Barley Head Brewery. Cost is $80. The program is organized by Tours of Distinction. Community Concierge is a program of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT. com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Southeastern CT Women’s Network is sponsoring its monthly luncheon on Wednesday, July 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Langley’s Restaurant of Great Neck Country Club, 28 Lamphere Road, Waterford. A summer picnic is planned with a cookout on the covered patio. The Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network Annual Awards will be presented. Registration and networking begin at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon. The public is welcome. Reservations are required by midnight on Sunday, July 14 at www.sectwomensnetwork.org/events. The cost is $25, or $30 at the door. Cash or check only.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is holding a State of the Thames River Region: Groton, New London and Thames River Innovation Place on July 19 from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m at the Submarine Force Library and Museum. The speakers are New London Mayor Michael Passero, City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick, Groton Town Manager John Burt and TRIP Executive Director Liz Pasqualini. For more information visit www. ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT holds its July Business After Hours at 5:30 p.m. July 17 at Tamarack Lodge in Voluntown. For information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call 860-701-9113.

Business After Hours for the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce on the Argia has been rescheduled to Monday, July 15, at 5 p.m. Registrations will be transferred to the new date. Contact the chamber if you can’t attend.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce’s “Mystic Matters” cable show will feature artist Trevor Corallo on July 22 at 8 p.m. and artist Maureen O’Grady on July 29 at 8 p.m. To view previous Mystic Matters visit www.SEC-TV.org, or for more information contact Kristin@mysticchamber.org.

EVENTS

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is in need of volunteers for the upcoming 62nd Mystic Outdoor Art Festival on Aug. 10 and 11. To volunteer, visit www.mysticchamber.org or call (860) 572-9578.

Applications for the Mystic Chamber of Commerce’s Groton Fall Festival are open. The festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Poquonnock Plains Park. Register for a booth at www.mysticchamber.org or call (860) 572-9578.

MILESTONE

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will join Binet Cuts to celebrate their one-year anniversary on July 26 from 2-4 p.m. at 944 B Poquonnock Road, Groton. Binet Cuts is a barber shop specializing in all types of haircuts and hot towel massages. The celebration with remarks at 3 p.m. and complimentary refreshments are free and open to all. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

GRAND OPENING

Kevin Merchant, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, has announced plans to open a new, full-service branch office in Pawcatuck. Located in front of Donahue Park at 46 W. Broad St., the newly renovated 2,800-square-foot office will feature a contemporary lobby staffed with customer service specialists, a drive-up window, on-site parking and a 24-hour drive-up ATM for customer convenience. When the office opens, which is expected to occur later this summer, it will be the bank’s sixth full-service office location.

Leading the Pawcatuck branch office will be Shannon Haeseler, who was recently promoted to serve as the branch manager. Amy Panciera has joined Jewett City Savings Bank and will assist Haeseler as the branch supervisor of the Pawcatuck office. For more information, visit www.JCSBank.com/Pawcatuck.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is celebrating the grand opening of the Robert F. Schumann Artists’ Trail on July 22 at 11 a.m. at the Florence Griswold Museum, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. For more information, visit www. ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

GIVING

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich has been selected as a beneficiary of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program. The Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which launched in May 2019, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Norwich will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased designating them as the beneficiary. For more information, visit www.ccfsn.org and www. stopandshop.bags4mycause. com.

Eastern Connecticut Savings Bank Foundation presented The Arc Eastern Connecticut with a $1,000 grant to support its Community Life & Advocacy program. To learn more about The Arc ECT’s programs throughout eastern Connecticut, visit www.thearcect.org or contact Denise Tift at (860) 889-4435, ext. 116.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation is accepting 2019 grant applications from local 501(c)(3), 170(c)(1), and other qualified non-profit organizations in the communities served by Jewett City Savings Bank. Guidelines and grant applications for 2019 are available online at www. JCSBank.com. Completed applications must be received by Aug. 31. Funding will be awarded by Dec. 31.

AWARDS

Some local restaurants have received 2019 Restaurant Awards from the Wine Spectator magazine for their outstanding wine offerings. They are: Caputo Trattoria, David Burke Prime Steakhouse and Vue 24, all at Foxwoods Resort Casino; Kenginston’s at the Spa at Norwich Inn; and Spicer Mansion restaurant in Mystic. For more information, visit www.winespectator.com.

Local banks recently were honored with 2019 Banking Awards. They winners from eastern Connecticut were: Customer Service, bankHometown, first; United Bank, second; Dime Bank, third; Technology and Tools, bankHometown, first; TD Bank, second; United Bank, third; Community Contribution, Chelsea Groton, first; Dime Bank, second; bankHometown, third; Overall Quality, bankHometown, first; Chelsea Groton, second; and United Bank, third. For more information, visit www.ambizmedia. com.

Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has announced that its two assistant vice presidents who oversee its extensive branch network in eastern Connecticut have successfully completed the Credit Union League of Connecticut’s intensive management program for high-potential executives. Michael Ballirano and Sonya Armstrong, Charter Oak’s assistant vice presidents and regional retail sales managers, were among the small group of credit union executives selected annually for the competitive two-year program at the Meriden-based Credit Union League of Connecticut.

Ballirano joined Charter Oak in 2011 as a member service representative and was promoted earlier this year to assistant vice president and regional retail sales manager. Armstrong has been with Charter Oak since 2005. Prior to her promotion to assistant vice president and regional retail sales manager, she had served as the Branch Officer of Charter Oak’s Dayville, Willimantic, and Killingly High School branches.

For more information, visit www.CharterOak.org.

Chelsea Groton Bank has achieved another Superior 5-Star Rating from BauerFinancial. For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com and www.bauerfinancial.com.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT welcomes its newest members: FamilyWise Behavior Solutions; Maxim Skin, LLC,; Meatballs Ristorante & Pizzaria, and Westerly Education Center. Visit www. ChamberECT.com to discover a full Chamber member directory.

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