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WATERBURY— Leonard Mecca, the president of AI-Tek Instruments, has been named the recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s 2023 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award. The award is the Chamber’s most respected, named in honor of Malcolm “Mac” Baldrige, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Ronald Reagan. Baldrige, who also was a former chairman of the Chamber, continually demonstrated his belief in community, leadership, and volunteerism as he worked to promote economic development in Greater Waterbury. The award will be presented during the 27th Annual Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards Dinner on Thursday, February 16, 2023, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. The evening will include a silent auction and is a major fundraiser for the not-for-profit Waterbury Regional Chamber, supporting the Chamber’s public policy and economic development efforts. “For 27 years, the Chamber has presented our prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Community Award to a business leader in the region who is committed to economic development and growth in Greater Waterbury,” said Mary M. Rosengrant-Chiappalone, Chairwoman of the Board, and a principal with the real estate appraisal firm Biondi & Rosengrant, LLC. “Our Chamber is delighted to present this year’s award to Lenny for the continuous support and regard he has shown to the Greater Waterbury community.” Nominees for the Malcolm Baldrige Community Award are considered for their roles in supporting employment opportunities, for enhancing the overall economic growth and quality of life in the region, for playing a leading role in initiating new business or development, and for their community leadership. AI-Tek Instruments designs, manufactures, and distributes a variety of speed sensors and high-precision tachometers for a multitude of industries. Mecca is also the founder of the non-profit Loyola Development Corporation, which undertook a 7-block revitalization and affordable housing development initiative in Waterbury's South End, beginning in 2012. Loyola Development Corp. purchased the blighted parcels from the City for $1 and opened Liberty Commons in 2015 after $10 million in construction. Mecca has had a longtime commitment to the wellbeing of the Greater Waterbury region through his involvement over the years with the United Way, the Palace Theater, Wellmore Behavioral Health, Waterbury PAL, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Lt. Robert D. Westberg Scholarship Program. Mecca is the past president of the Country Club of Waterbury and currently serves as a board member of Holy Land USA. In addition to Mecca, the Chamber will honor Jason Van Stone, Vice President-Leisure Segment, at Drew Marine with the 2023 Leadership Award, and Janice Mitchell-Smith of Benefit Solutions by Janice, LLC with its 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award. The Leadership Award is presented to a Chamber member who demonstrates leadership and contributes to accomplishing the Chamber’s mission to serve its members as a network, resource, and advocate. Van Stone is a Vice President at Drew Marine in charge of Marketing Communications and its Leisure Segment. Drew Marine is a Waterbury-based specialty chemical company whose products and technical expertise serve the commercial, leisure, and military shipping industries. Van Stone is currently a member of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Executive Board, serving as its Vice Chairman – Membership; he previously served as Chairman of the Chamber’s Health Care Council. He has also played a key role in the marketing efforts of the Chamber, as well as redesigns to its websites. A Southbury resident and Planning Commission there, Van Stone has served on a number of boards throughout the region, including the Palace Theater, Sacred Heart High School, and the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation. The Volunteer Award is presented annually to a member who dedicates time and expertise to volunteering for the organization. Mitchell-Smith is the owner of Benefit Solutions by Janice, LLC. As an independent agent for AFLAC Insurance, she offers supplemental health plans, as well as other solutions, for small businesses. A graduate of Post University with a degree in Business Management, Mitchell-Smith has been working in the insurance industry since 1984. She has been a long-time ambassador for the Waterbury Regional Chamber, helping new Chamber members become acquainted with other members and to build new connections. She received the Ambassador of the Year award in 2019 and serves on the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors. Tickets for the 27th Annual Malcolm Baldrige can be purchased at www.waterburychamber.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Chris Caulfield at ccaulfield@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701. ###
WATERBURY— Leonard Mecca, the president of AI-Tek Instruments, has been named the recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s 2023 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award.
The award is the Chamber’s most respected, named in honor of Malcolm “Mac” Baldrige, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Ronald Reagan. Baldrige, who also was a former chairman of the Chamber, continually demonstrated his belief in community, leadership, and volunteerism as he worked to promote economic development in Greater Waterbury.
The award will be presented during the 27th Annual Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards Dinner on Thursday, February 16, 2023, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. The evening will include a silent auction and is a major fundraiser for the not-for-profit Waterbury Regional Chamber, supporting the Chamber’s public policy and economic development efforts.
“For 27 years, the Chamber has presented our prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Community Award to a business leader in the region who is committed to economic development and growth in Greater Waterbury,” said Mary M. Rosengrant-Chiappalone, Chairwoman of the Board, and a principal with the real estate appraisal firm Biondi & Rosengrant, LLC. “Our Chamber is delighted to present this year’s award to Lenny for the continuous support and regard he has shown to the Greater Waterbury community.”
Nominees for the Malcolm Baldrige Community Award are considered for their roles in supporting employment opportunities, for enhancing the overall economic growth and quality of life in the region, for playing a leading role in initiating new business or development, and for their community leadership.
AI-Tek Instruments designs, manufactures, and distributes a variety of speed sensors and high-precision tachometers for a multitude of industries. Mecca is also the founder of the non-profit Loyola Development Corporation, which undertook a 7-block revitalization and affordable housing development initiative in Waterbury's South End, beginning in 2012. Loyola Development Corp. purchased the blighted parcels from the City for $1 and opened Liberty Commons in 2015 after $10 million in construction.
Mecca has had a longtime commitment to the wellbeing of the Greater Waterbury region through his involvement over the years with the United Way, the Palace Theater, Wellmore Behavioral Health, Waterbury PAL, the Boys & Girls Club, and the Lt. Robert D. Westberg Scholarship Program. Mecca is the past president of the Country Club of Waterbury and currently serves as a board member of Holy Land USA.
In addition to Mecca, the Chamber will honor Jason Van Stone, Vice President-Leisure Segment, at Drew Marine with the 2023 Leadership Award, and Janice Mitchell-Smith of Benefit Solutions by Janice, LLC with its 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award.
The Leadership Award is presented to a Chamber member who demonstrates leadership and contributes to accomplishing the Chamber’s mission to serve its members as a network, resource, and advocate.
Van Stone is a Vice President at Drew Marine in charge of Marketing Communications and its Leisure Segment. Drew Marine is a Waterbury-based specialty chemical company whose products and technical expertise serve the commercial, leisure, and military shipping industries. Van Stone is currently a member of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Executive Board, serving as its Vice Chairman – Membership; he previously served as Chairman of the Chamber’s Health Care Council. He has also played a key role in the marketing efforts of the Chamber, as well as redesigns to its websites. A Southbury resident and Planning Commission there, Van Stone has served on a number of boards throughout the region, including the Palace Theater, Sacred Heart High School, and the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation.
The Volunteer Award is presented annually to a member who dedicates time and expertise to volunteering for the organization. Mitchell-Smith is the owner of Benefit Solutions by Janice, LLC. As an independent agent for AFLAC Insurance, she offers supplemental health plans, as well as other solutions, for small businesses. A graduate of Post University with a degree in Business Management, Mitchell-Smith has been working in the insurance industry since 1984. She has been a long-time ambassador for the Waterbury Regional Chamber, helping new Chamber members become acquainted with other members and to build new connections. She received the Ambassador of the Year award in 2019 and serves on the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Tickets for the 27th Annual Malcolm Baldrige can be purchased at www.waterburychamber.com. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Chris Caulfield at ccaulfield@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701.
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