Celebration of Success award winners to be honored June 29

TORRINGTON >> Since 1991, the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut has recognized individuals and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional and unselfish service to the Northwest Corner with their Celebration of Success Distinguished Leadership Awards. The awards for Business Leader, Community Leader and Quality of Life will be presented on Thursday, June 29 at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility.

Litchfield Bancorp is the premiere sponsor of the Celebration of Success Awards. “Litchfield Bancorp is proud to be the sponsor of this signature event for the past 15 years,” said CEO and bank president Thomas J. Villanova. “The people and organizations that have been past and current recipients are of the highest caliber and do tremendous things for our shared community. It is an honor for our organization to be associated with them.”

“The 2017 honorees are admirable role models for us all,” said JoAnn Ryan, chamber president and CEO. “Their list of contributions to the communities we serve is extensive. They are friends that can be counted on; they have shown compassion and care by brightening people’s lives; they have grown their business and invested in our communities; they have each earned our respect by taking on regional challenges; and most of all, they strive to make this a better place in which to live and work for all citizens. I look forward to celebrating their contributions to our region on June 29.”

Based on their contributions to the business environment, the 2017 Business Leader award recipients are Tim and Susan Cook of Cook Funeral Home. Married for 26 years, the couple has been giving back to the communities of Northwest Connecticut since before Tim Cook purchased the former LaPorta Funeral Home in November 2001. Tim, a Winsted native, and Susan, from Torrington, graduated local schools including Northwestern Connecticut Community College.

Tim Cook is a member and past President of the Torrington-Winsted Rotary Club, a member of UNICO, the Elks and past President of the Winchester Knights of Columbus. Susan Cook is currently a member of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Auxiliary Board and a Corporator of the Torrington Historical Society. The Cooks have been avid supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Altrussa Club and Friends of Hospice. They also hold an annual Veterans Day memorial service and community Shred It events. The Cooks have generously donated Christmas gifts to the attendees of the Chamber’s Holiday Celebration for nearly 15 years.

The community involvement of Kenneth W. Merz has earned him the 2017 Community Leader award. Merz is the Corporate Secretary for O&G Industries, Inc. where he has directed all administrative activities for the State’s largest privately-held construction firm, and one of the country’s Top 400 Construction Firms since 1970. Merz is widely known for his service to the community. In 2014, he was named as the Torrington Register Citizen’s Person of the Year for his long-standing contributions to the community. He is the co-founder and president of KidsPlay Children’s Museum in Torrington, which has evolved into a learning and recreational destination for over 40,000 children throughout the region. Merz has also served as a director for the Warner Theater, Torrington Economic Development Corporation, Litchfield Performing Arts Center and the Oliver Wolcott Library. He also served as Warden and Vestry member of St. Michael’s Parish in Litchfield, where he chaired the capital campaign that raised $1,400,000.

McCall Center for Behavioral Health has been selected as the 2017 recipient of the Quality of Life award due to the organization’s commitment to the overall improvement in the quality of life of Northwest Connecticut. McCall is a private, non-profit, behavioral healthcare agency focused on recovery, prevention and community. They seek to alleviate pain and human suffering brought about by substance abuse by providing comprehensive, integrated substance abuse and mental health treatment to help people lead healthier and more productive lives. McCall’s staff is a group of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping the people in their community. Every program, service and decision McCall makes is centered around them and their wellness.

McCall Center for Behavioral Health provides a full range of alcohol and other drug prevention and treatment services. Depending on the needs of the people served, McCall offers a full range of dependency and mental health treatment programs including: intervention programs; outpatient treatment (intensive, traditional and medically assisted); residential care intensive & intermediate; and, mental health outreach & treatment.

For more information on the Celebration of Success Awards, or for tickets to the event, contact the chamber at 860-482-6586.

The Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut is the oldest business organization in the Northwest Corner. Incorporated in 1901, the Chamber is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization funded by the membership investment of its 750 members and affiliates as well as its programs and initiatives. The mission of the Chamber is to promote economic growth while enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Connecticut.