Affiliates of the Chamber
About the Northwest Connecticut Chamber
The Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut, Inc. is the oldest business organization in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. Incorporated in 1901, the Chamber’s membership is nearing 800 companies & organizations.
The purpose of the Chamber is to advance the general welfare and prosperity of Northwest Connecticut so that its citizens and all areas of its business community shall prosper. All necessary means of promotion shall be provided and particular attention and emphasis shall be given to the economic, civic, commercial, cultural, industrial and educational interests of the area.
The government and policy-making responsibilities of the Chamber are vested in the Board of Directors, which control its property, is responsible for its finance and direct its affairs. The Board of Directors is composed of:
The Board of Directors is elected at the Chamber’s Annual Business Meeting, which is held during the first quarter of the year.
The Chamber’s mission, “…to promote economic growth while enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Connecticut” was adopted by the Board of Directors and is supported by the following goals:
The Corporate Sponsorship Program represents a select group of businesses who have committed to the Chamber on an elevated financial level, enabling us to serve our smaller members and the community at large.
Corporate Sponsors are recognized at each Chamber event, listed on all stationery and every newsletter distributed from the conference room, as well as on a plaque located in our conference room. Corporate Sponsor companies comprise our Corporate Steering Commission, assisting in the Chamber’s strategic planning.
- Alcoa Howmet
- www.alcoa.com
- All About You! Home Care Services
- www.aayct.com
- AT&T
- www.att.com
- Bank of America
- www.bankofamerica.com
- BD
- www.bd.com
- Borghesi Building & Engineering Co., Inc.
- www.borghesibuilding.com
- Burns, Brooks & McNeil, Inc.
- www.burnsbrooksmcneil.com
- The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
- www.charlottehungerford.org
- Commercial Real Estate Group ~ Vance Taylor
- www.amsrealestate.com
- The Connecticut Light & Power Company
- www.cl-p.com
- Conquest Consulting
- www.conquestinternet.com
- Cook Funeral Home
- www.cookfuneralhome.com
- Founders Insurance Group, Inc.
- www.foundersgrp.com
- Litchfield Bancorp
- www.litchfieldbancorp.com
- Northwest Community Bank
- www.nwcommunitybank.com
- O&G Industries, Inc.
- www.ogind.com
- People’s United Bank
- www.peoples.com
- The Register Citizen
- www.registercitizen.com
- Republican American
- www.rep-am.com
- Sterling Engineering Corporation
- www.sterlingeng.com
- TD Bank
- www.tdbank.com
- Thomaston Savings Bank
- www.thomastonsavingsbank.com
- Torrington Savings Bank
- www.torringtonsavings.com
- Turri, Inc.
- www.turri-inc.com
- Union Savings Bank
- www.unionsavings.com
- United Construction & Engineering Inc.
- www.uce-gc.com
- UnitedHealthcare
- www.uhc.com
- Valley Energy Co.
- www.valleyenergyco.com
- Webster Bank
- www.websterbank.com
Officers
- Thomas Villanova, Chairman of the Board
- Litchfield Bancorp
- Paul Patch, Vice Chairman of the Board
- O&G Industries, Inc.
- Laurie Roy, Past Chairman of the Board
- Alcoa-Howmet
- Dr. Barbara Douglass, Secretary
- Northwestern CT Community College
- Michael Dixon, Treasurer
- Salisbury Bank & Trust
Directors
- Dave Anderson
- BD
- Brian Jones
- Seitz Corporation
- Gail Olsen
- Ducci Kitchens, Inc.
- Robert Axelrod
- Connecticut Light & Power Company
- Peter Kent
- Associate Member
- Kinson Perry
- AT&T
- Susan Burton
- Connect-Ability/ BRS
- Kimberly Lumia
- Sharon Hospital
- Helen Ruwet Bunnell/Francis Delaney
- Friends of Main Street
- Alan Colavecchio
- Colavecchio Design, Inc.
- Kathy Martin
- Union Savings Bank
- Jeffrey Smith
- Petrovits, Patrick, Smith & Co.
- Matt DeRienzo
- The Register Citizen
- Michael McGuffie
- Executive Support, Inc.
- Carla Mellins
- Bank of America
- Dan McIntyre
- Charlotte Hungerford Hospital
- Robert Switzgable
- Ski Sundown
- Norman E. Rogers
- Rogers Law Firm, LLC
- Francesca Kracht
- Thomaston Savings Bank
Committee Chairs
- Frank Buonocore,
Membership Services Committee - Founders Insurance Group, Inc.
- Timothy Waldron, Government Relations Committee
- City of Torrington
- Donna Robideau, Insurance Committee
- Burns, Brooks & McNeil, Inc.
- Margret Warner, Program Committee
- Litchfield Bancorp
Staff
- JoAnn M. Ryan
- President & CEO
- Sherri Dadomo
- Director of Events
- Lauren Smith
- Program Coordinator
- Anita Rosa
- Vice President
Finance & Operations - Nancy DePecol
- Membership & Sales Coordinator
Staff Photographer
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Chamber of Commerce. Elected to three-year terms, the directors are nominated by the general membership as well as by the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Board). The Nominating Committee presents its slate at the Annual Meeting. The slate is then voted on by the Chamber membership.
The Nominating Committee presents a slate of officers to the entire board and the board then elects the officers. The officers of the Board of Directors comprise the Executive Committee. Members include: the Chamber President, the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, and the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board. The Executive Committee meets monthly prior to the full Board meeting.
Sub-committees of the Board of Directors are established as needed. Sub-committees have included the Strategic Development Committee and the Nominating Committee.
For more information on the Board of Directors, contact JoAnn Ryan, the Chamber President & CEO at 860-482-6586 or e-mail joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.
Government Relations Committee
The Government Relations Committee of Northwest Connecticut’s Chamber of Commerce meets on the second Thursday of the month at the Chamber offices. The Committee works closely with the Chamber’s lobbyist, Marshall Collins, following the activities of the State Legislature.
The Committee develops an annual Legislative Agenda which is furnished to the Chamber’s Board of Directors for their approval and then presented to the State Legislative Delegation from the Northwest Corner. The Agenda reviews those issues that are priorities to the business community of Northwest Connecticut.
The Government Relations Committee also works with the Chamber staff to host the Candidate’s Forum, Legislative Reception and the Connecticut Business Day.
For more information on the Government Relations Committee, contact JoAnn Ryan, Chamber President & CEO at 860-482-6586 or email joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.
Membership Services Committee
Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce’s Membership Services Committee is a group of dedicated individuals who assist the Chamber staff with programs throughout the year. You will see the Membership Services Committee at each Business After Hours event assisting with registration, hostessing and beverages. They also make it a point to welcome the newest members of the Chamber at the networking events. Additionally, the Committee assists the staff annually with the distribution of the Chamber’s Business and Membership Directory.
For more information on the Membership Services Committee, contact Nancy DePecol, Membership & Sales Coordinator at 860-482-6586 or e-mail nancy@nwctchamberofcommerce.org
Insurance Committee
The Insurance Committee meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Chamber office to review issues pertaining to those in the industry as well as to support the Northwest Connecticut Benefit Center and the Chamber Insurance Trust. The Benefit Center, established in 2004, allows the Chamber to market the insurance products available to members through the Chamber Insurance Trust. Products include: Group Health Insurance, Group Dental Insurance, Disability Insurance; Section.
The Chairman of the Insurance Committee (currently Donna Robideau of Burns, Brooks & McNeil, Inc.) is a monthly contributor to the Chamber’s newsletter. Topics of interest to the entire membership are addressed.
For more information on the Insurance Committee or the Northwest Connecticut Benefit Center, contact the Chamber at 860-482-6586.
Celebration of Success Committee
Nominations for the annual awards are submitted by the general membership. The Celebration of Success Committee is responsible for reviewing those nominations and ultimately determining the honorees for the annual awards. The Committee also plans the evening that honors the awards recipients. Members of the Celebration of Success Committee include past recipients and representatives from the membership at large.
For more information on the Celebration of Success Committee, contact JoAnn Ryan at 860-482-6586 or e-mail joann@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.
Home Expo Committee
The Home Expo Committee is comprised of a group of representatives from companies exhibiting at the Home Expo in April. The committee organizes the details of the Expo weekend. They determine what entertainment will perform, what special events will occur, and other specifics of the Expo.
For more information on the Home Expo Committee, contact Sherri Dadomo, the Chamber’s Director of Events at 860-482-6586 or e-mail sherri@nwctchamberofcommerce.org.