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*This column originally appeared in the Republican-American Newspaper on Monday, January 11, 2015. Chamber To Present 2016 Harold Webster Smith Awards In 1935, 24-year-old Harold Webster Smith borrowed $25,000 — equal to more than $433,000 today — from family and friends and opened First Federal Savings of Waterbury. The savings and loan was dedicated to helping people build and buy their own homes. He served as CEO until 1987 and as chairman of the board until 1995, when First Federal was renamed Webster Bank in his honor. The Waterbury Regional Chamber is fortunate to honor his legacy by annually presenting the Harold Webster Smith Awards to small companies and entrepreneurs that share his passion for business development and his commitment to economic progress in Greater Waterbury. Throughout his career, Harold Webster Smith served as an inspiration to countless small business owners, and the Chamber is pleased to once again recognize companies and individuals that share his ideals. The 2016 Harold Webster Smith Awards breakfast, now in its 19th year, will be held Friday, Jan. 29, from 7:45-9:30 a.m. at Aria Wedding & Banquet Facility in Prospect. This year’s Small Business of the Year Award will be presented to All-Star Driver of Watertown, which soon will rebrand itself as The Next Street. The family-owned business opened in 2009 and now has more than 80 employees and more than 70 locations in Connecticut. The driving school is deeply involved in serving Greater Waterbury, particularly in supporting children’s organizations, including the Boys and Girls clubs. The 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner is Dan Settani, owner of Viso Bello Day Spa in Middlebury. Viso Bello has been in business for 26 years, and has continuously enhanced its services and atmosphere to meet clients’ needs and expectations. Annually, Viso Bello donates about $75,000 to charitable efforts in the community. The 2016 Manufacturer of the Year Award will be presented to Pisani Steel Fabrication Inc. of Naugatuck. Founded in 1988 by Giuseppe and Frank Pisani, the company produces structural steel and metals for the construction industry. It also donated $375,000 in materials and labor toward producing the new, 52-foot-tall cross that now stands at Holy Land as a highly visible landmark in Waterbury. Our keynote speaker will be Joe Brennan, president and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the state’s largest business association. He is also president of CBIA’s Education & Workforce Partnership, which supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in public schools and training programs that enhance the skills of employees at member companies. Joe will discuss the 2016 legislative session and its expected impact on businesses across the state. We are grateful to Webster Bank for once again participating as the event’s Premier Sponsor. To register, please visit www.waterburychamber.com, call 203-757-0701. Lynn Ward is president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber. Contact her at 203-757-0701 Ext. 310 or lward@waterburychamber.com.
*This column originally appeared in the Republican-American Newspaper on Monday, January 11, 2015. Chamber To Present 2016 Harold Webster Smith Awards
In 1935, 24-year-old Harold Webster Smith borrowed $25,000 — equal to more than $433,000 today — from family and friends and opened First Federal Savings of Waterbury. The savings and loan was dedicated to helping people build and buy their own homes.
He served as CEO until 1987 and as chairman of the board until 1995, when First Federal was renamed Webster Bank in his honor.
The Waterbury Regional Chamber is fortunate to honor his legacy by annually presenting the Harold Webster Smith Awards to small companies and entrepreneurs that share his passion for business development and his commitment to economic progress in Greater Waterbury. Throughout his career, Harold Webster Smith served as an inspiration to countless small business owners, and the Chamber is pleased to once again recognize companies and individuals that share his ideals.
The 2016 Harold Webster Smith Awards breakfast, now in its 19th year, will be held Friday, Jan. 29, from 7:45-9:30 a.m. at Aria Wedding & Banquet Facility in Prospect.
This year’s Small Business of the Year Award will be presented to All-Star Driver of Watertown, which soon will rebrand itself as The Next Street. The family-owned business opened in 2009 and now has more than 80 employees and more than 70 locations in Connecticut. The driving school is deeply involved in serving Greater Waterbury, particularly in supporting children’s organizations, including the Boys and Girls clubs.
The 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner is Dan Settani, owner of Viso Bello Day Spa in Middlebury. Viso Bello has been in business for 26 years, and has continuously enhanced its services and atmosphere to meet clients’ needs and expectations. Annually, Viso Bello donates about $75,000 to charitable efforts in the community.
The 2016 Manufacturer of the Year Award will be presented to Pisani Steel Fabrication Inc. of Naugatuck. Founded in 1988 by Giuseppe and Frank Pisani, the company produces structural steel and metals for the construction industry. It also donated $375,000 in materials and labor toward producing the new, 52-foot-tall cross that now stands at Holy Land as a highly visible landmark in Waterbury.
Our keynote speaker will be Joe Brennan, president and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the state’s largest business association. He is also president of CBIA’s Education & Workforce Partnership, which supports STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in public schools and training programs that enhance the skills of employees at member companies. Joe will discuss the 2016 legislative session and its expected impact on businesses across the state.
We are grateful to Webster Bank for once again participating as the event’s Premier Sponsor. To register, please visit www.waterburychamber.com, call 203-757-0701.
Lynn Ward is president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber. Contact her at 203-757-0701 Ext. 310 or lward@waterburychamber.com.