Chamber to induct 3 new Hall of Fame honorees

The 117th Annual Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut, Inc. will take place on April 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Chatterley’s Banquet Facility, 371 Pinewoods Road, Torrington.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Jeffrey Flaks, president and chief operating officer of Hartford Healthcare. Prior to his current position, Mr. Flaks served as president and CEO of Hartford Hospital, HHC’s flagship tertiary care center. Before being named CEO, Mr. Flaks served as Hartford Hospital’s COO, implementing a number of initiatives that resulted in greatly improved facilities and increased patient and employee satisfaction.

Daniel J. McIntyre, senior vice president of Hartford Healthcare and president, Northwest Region, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital will also speak and introduce Mr. Flaks. Dan has been with the hospital since 2001 serving as its President and Executive Director and has focused his efforts on strengthening the hospital’s core businesses with an emphasis on quality care, premier technology, and patient safety.

The 2018 inductees into the Chamber Hall of Fame will be Larry Cassella, LARC, Frank H. Finch, Jr., Howd, Lavieri & Finch L.L.P., and John N. Lavieri, Sterling Engineering Corporation. All three gentlemen have given countless hours of their time to our Chamber and deserve our upmost praise as they retire from their longtime careers in this community.

All have served as dedicated members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors during their careers. Both Mr. Finch and Mr. Lavieri were active members of the Chamber’s capital campaigns in the 1980’s and 1990’s which made our current facility possible.

Mr. Finch was named Chamber Person of the Year in 1993. His law firm joined the Chamber in 1977 and has served as its council for decades. He has contributed his time, talent and energy to our organization for over 40 years.

Mr. Lavieri, Chamber Person of the Year for 1994, has been a voice for manufacturers since Sterling Engineering joined the Chamber in 1977. He has served on the Chamber’s Manufacturers’ Coalition since its inception. John has also been an active member of the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee.

Mr. Cassella, who was honored with LARC as the Quality of Life Award Recipient at the Celebration of Success in 2009, has served also as a volunteer on the Chamber’s Membership Committee. He partnered with us on the Bear Affair & BearlieveIt-Or-Not public art projects and on a variety of grant proposals. Larry continues to be a reliable volunteer at many of our special events.

During the Business Meeting portion of the Annual Meeting, the Chamber membership will recognize a retiring member of the Board of Directors as well as elect the directors who have been nominated to serve a threeyear term. The retiring member of the Board of Directors is Sabrina Beck, Altek Electronics, Inc. The individuals to be elected to the Board of Directors are: Sandy Evans, Whiting Mills; Brian Jones, Seitz LLC; and Vincent Laliberte, Pursue the Clues.

This year’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by Geer Village, Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, Valerie Manor and Litchfield Woods Health Care Center.

Reservations are required for the luncheon. The cost is $40 for Chamber members and $50 for nonmembers. To make a reservation, contact the Chamber office at 860482-6586 by April 2.