The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Middlesex United Way has new chairman
MIDDLETOWN — With almost 800 community people as United Way volunteers, it is clear we could accomplish our ambitious goals without them. As a Middlesex United Way volunteer, you have the opportunity to lead our community to a better tomorrow.
Our volunteers hold many roles and titles, each with their own unique challenges and rewards. The most critical role at Middlesex United Way is that of the board chair. We are excited to announce Scott Carlson, partner at Carlson & Dumeer, as our incoming 2019 board chair. Carlson came to Middletown in 2012, when he opened his law firm, Carlson and Dumeer, and has dedicated himself to working with our community from the start.
Carlson succeeds Patricia Charles as board chair. Charles served as chair from 2017 to 2018. Under her thoughtful leadership, Pat very capably lead the board through the planning and implementation of our strategic plan. She was instrumental in helping lead us to a successful fund-raising campaign last year. She has personally thanked hundreds of donors with handwritten notes in addition to agreeing to benefit Middlesex United Way with her retirement roast last October.
Carlson serves as the chair of the Community Impact Council, overseeing the work of our community impact teams, made up of local volunteers. These are vital to helping to guide our fund distribution: They review grant applications, conduct periodic site visits, develop funding recommendations for our board, and monitor and evaluate our partners’ progress throughout the grant period.
“As chair of the Community Impact Council, Scott Carlson has been a very thoughtful leader. Part of his leadership style is to allow other members of the council to drive our agenda, and to have significant input into the recommendations that are presented to our board of directors,” said Ed Bonilla, vice president of Community Impact for the Middlesex United Way.
“He not only takes the time to listen to everyone’s thoughts and opinions, but he also seeks out clarification and opposing viewpoints so that our discussions are as thorough and transparent as possible. He encourages all to have a voice at the table and responds in a fashion that makes everyone at the table feel their time volunteering for Middlesex United Way is valued and appreciated,” Bonilla added.
Carlson holds a bachelor of arts degree from Roger Williams University and his juris doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law. In addition to his community work with Middlesex United Way, Carlson has been a chapter president of Arrigoni BNI and a corporator of Middlesex Community College.
“I volunteer for United Way because I believe its mission to mobilize communities to effect change is the most powerful way to positively impact individuals’ lives on a daily basis. United Way is critical to a healthy and vibrant Middlesex County,” Carlson said.
As a longtime supporter of United Way, Carlson has shown his skills as a team player, and often as a leader. He has served on the United Way board since 2014, and has served on the Strategic Planning Committee, Executive Committee, and was chair of the Nominating Committee.
After law school, Carlson served a one-year clerkship with the Rhode Island Supreme Court’s Law Clerk Department, where he assisted in the disposition and resolution of numerous civil and criminal matters. Carlson and Dumeer has received numerous recognitions throughout the years including Hartford’s Best Law Firm, the National Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and the partnership is a member of the American Association of Justice.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and is an avid supporter of Manchester United. Carlson lives in Longmeadow, Mass., with his wife Emily and two children, Quintin and Beckham.
We are excited for Scott’s leadership to continue as board chair.