Find out what’s going on in the local business community

EMPLOYMENT

Joni L. Weglein has been named chief financial officer at EASTCONN. Weglein has been EASTCONN’s acting CFO since last fall. Prior to joining EASTCONN as its Business Office manager in 2019, Weglein served for more than 10 years as a senior internal auditor at United Natural Foods, Inc., in Rhode Island. Her experience includes working as an internal auditor for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Ledyard, where she also served as director of finance at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. EASTCONN is a public, nonprofit, Regional Educational Service Center. Learn more about EASTCONN at www. eastconn.org.

PROMOTION

Defender Industries, Inc., has promoted Terry Hart, of South Windsor, to director of operations. Hart joined Defender in 2001 as director of fulfillment. Founded in 1938 in New York, Defender Industries is a family owned marine outfitter and supplier of boating equipment, accessories, apparel, inflatable boats and outboard motors at www.defender.com, through its Contact Center at (800) 628-8225, and the Defender Warehouse Outlet Store, located at its headquarters in Waterford.

ELECTED

President Greg Hanner took the oath of office for Eastern CT Association of Realtors on Jan. 9 at Langley’s Restaurant at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford. He is a designated Realtor and broker/ owner of Garden Realty in Waterford, and resides in the same town. Sen. Paul Formica was the installing officer and Susy Hurlbert, chief executive officer of the ECAR, was the master of ceremonies.

Other Officers installed included: President-Elect, Bonnie Nault, William Pitt Soth; Treasurer, Paula Turley, RE/ MAX Realty Group; Secretary, Melissa Giangrasso, Signature Properties of New England; Immediate Past President, Ryan Lajoie, Johnston & Assoc. R. E., LLC. The 2020 Directors include: Molly Bruno, William Pitt Sotheby’s Int’l; Merry Cassabria, RE/MAX Realty Group; Carol Christiansen, RE/ MAX Realty Group; Quincy Clayton, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Stephanie DeBiasi, BHHS New England Properties; Rose Eapen, BHHS New England Properties; Melody Edelman, William Raveis Real Estate; Norm Krayem, BHHS New England Properties; Marilyn Lusher, RE/MAX Legends; Cathy Newlin, RE/ MAX Legends; Shelita Petersen, Garden Realty; Weimin Quian, Wayne Realty, LLC.

Connecticut Realtors 2020 Directors include: Gregory Hanner, Garden Realty; Bonnie Nault, William Pitt Sotheby’s Int’l; Paula Turley, RE/ MAX Realty Group; Melissa Giangrasso, Signature Properties of New England; Ryan Lajoie, Johnston & Assoc. R. E., LLC; Marilyn Lusher, RE/ MAX Home Team.

WORKSHOPS

SECT Women’s Network’s Network At Night: “Social Media Best Practices For Business Engagement,” featuring speaker Barbara Naugle, Connecticut Humane Society’s Director of Development, will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, 6–8 p.m.at Connecticut Humane Society, 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill. Reservations are required at www. sectwomensnetwork.org/ events. The cost is $10. Cash or check only at the door.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a

Chamber 101: Membership Benefits and Orientation on Feb. 5, 4-5 p.m., at the Chamber offices, 914 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a workshop series “Speechcraft: Improve Your Communication” presented by Niantic Toastmasters. The four-workshop series will have sessions on Feb. 10 and 24, March 9 and 23 from 5–6:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices, 914 Hartford Turnpike, Waterford. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

SCORE will host: “Small Business Retirement Plan Options,” Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Sponsored by Grove Street Financial.

Q & A Panel on “Funding Sources for Your Small Business,” Monday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road. Presenters from Charter Oak Credit Union, Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region, Small Business Administration and Community Investment Corporation.

“Creating a Web Presence,” Monday, Feb. 24, 10-11:30 a.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road. Instructor Anne Driscoll. Sponsored by R.B. Kent & Son Inc.

For more information, contact Anne Driscoll at anne. driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

The Women’s Business Development Council will host:

“Scale Up: Utilizing Financing Tools to Grow Your Business,” Beth Scarborough, instructor, Part 2 - Feb. 5, 6-8 p.m., Chelsea Groton Bank, Groton.

“Personal Finance Counseling

Day,” Samantha Cross, coach, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., by appointment only, WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

“Let’s Talk: Get Real Estate Savvy,” Molly Bruno, instructor, Friday, Feb. 7, 9-10:30 a.m., Foundry 66, 66 Franklin St., Norwich.

“Build Your B.A.I.L. (Banker, Accountant, Insurer, Lawyer) Team,” Tuesday, Feb. 11, 5:307:30 p.m., WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

“Business Concept Clinic: 6-part program,” Jacqui Torcellini, instructor, Thursday Feb. 13, 5:30-8 p.m., application required, WBDC, 300 State St., Suite 419, New London.

Programs are free. Register at www.ctwbdc.org or contact Susan Hackett at (860) 5749246 for an appointment.

NETWORKING

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host Coffee & Contacts: Networking with the Chamber at NoRA Cupcake, 63 Bank St., New London on Friday, Feb. 14, from 1-3 p.m. This is a free event, but an RSVP is requested at www. ChamberECT.com/events or (860) 701-9113.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT joins Wireless Zone for a Business After Hours on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 5-7 p.m. at 351 N. Frontage Road, New London. $15 for members, $15 for nonmembers before Feb. 3, add $5 after. To register or learn more, visit www.ChamberECT.com/ events or call (860) 701-9113.

NEW LOCATION

My Dog’s Place, on Avery Street in Mystic for the last 25 years, is moving to a new location in the Taugwonk Business Park at 50 Taugwonk Spur in Stonington. Owner Marge Lineweber said a bigger more accommodating space became necessary. Convenience and parking were also factors in the choice to move. The Stonington location boasts 8,000 square feet inside, and 5,000 square feet outside (with fencing). My Dog’s Place also has a location at 7 Capital Drive, East Lyme. My Dog’s Place offers classes, training, daycare, and the popular “Puppy Socials” daily. For more info visit www. mydogsplace.com or call (860) 572-7755.

HONORS

Rich Balestracci, VP, commercial loan officer for Chelsea Groton Bank, was recently selected as a New Leader in Banking by the Connecticut Bankers Association and American Business Media. This honor is awarded to up-and-coming professionals from across Connecticut. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut in 2007 and a MBA for emerging leaders from the University of New Haven. He completed the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program, and is a recent graduate of the American Bankers Association’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania. He lives in Pawcatuck. For more information, visit www. chelseagroton.com.

GIVING

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation has awarded $13,000 in grants to support seven area food pantries. The Foundation awarded grants of $2,500 to four food pantries: Friends of Assisi Food Pantry in Danielson, Project PIN Food Pantry in Moosup, the Saint Mary Food Pantry in Jewett City and the Preston City Congregational Church Food Pantry. Receiving a $1,000 grant was the United Way of

Southeastern Connecticut to support the Gemma Moran United Way/Labor Food Center and Mobile Food Pantry. Also awarded was a grant of $500 to the Town of Pomfret Food Pantry and a $1,500 grant to the Jonnycake Center of Westerly. For more information, visit www.JCSBank.com.

Lake of Isles in North Stonington was the venue for the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors 25th annual Community Benefit Raffle & Auction. Organizations receiving funding this year are: Always Home, Inc., Care & Share of East Lyme, Inc., Catholic Charities Diocese of Norwich, Covenant Shelter of New London, Inc., CT Alliance for Foster & Adoptive Families, Enders Island, Habitat for Humanity of Eastern CT, Madonna Place, Matt’s Mission – End the Stigma of Drug Addiction, New London Community Meal Center, Inc., New London Homeless Hospitality Center, Perceptions Program, Reliance Health, Inc., Safe Futures, St. Vincent de Paul Place, Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc., The CT Coalition to End Homelessness, The New London Area Food Pantry, The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Inc., Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group (TEEG) and United Community & Family Services, Inc (UCSF).

MEMBERSHIP

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT welcomes its newest members: Alewife Cove Conservancy, Burke Enterprise, LLC, Charles Schwab Independent Branch in Mystic, Chuck Davis Creative, and Holmberg Orchards & Winery. Visit www.ChamberECT.com to discover a full Chamber member directory.

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