Business Briefs - May 20

Bridget Morrissey has joined RE/MAX Property Consultants in Groton as a member of the sales team, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the industry in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Morrissey will be working out of the RE/MAX office at 500 Bridge St. She may be reached by phone at 860-5165 or 860-445-4663, ext. 401 or via email at Bridgetmorrissey@remax.net.

Bouvier Insurance held an open house this month for the opening of its newest location at 80 Norwich-New London Tpke. in Uncasville.

The opening of Bouvier's fifth location was honored with a proclamation by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman and a ribbon cutting attended by more than 200 people.

Bouvier Insurance now has more than 85 employees and is licensed to write business throughout the country. For further information, call Bouvier at 860-859-9821.

Timothy Dawson of Clinton has joined Citizens Bank as a senior mortgage loan officer.

Working out of an office in Deep River, Dawson serves as the mortgage financing business partner to Citizens Bank branches in downtown New London, the New London Shopping Center and Mohegan Sun.

Dawson originates a wide range of mortgage loan programs, including both conventional and government loans. He came to Citizens Bank from JPMorgan Chase, where he was a loan officer for eight years.

Philip C. Picillo has been named senior vice president of treasury services at Webster Bank.

The treasury services department integrates cash management sales, product management, treasury sales and government and institutional banking.

Picillo, who will be based in Hartford, previously served as senior vice president at both SunTrust Bank and Sovereign Bank. He started his banking career at Bank of Boston.

The Connecticut Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America is holding an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Camp Tadma in Bozrah.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is taking registrations for the event at 154 Bishop Road. Activities will include demonstrations by local troops of first aid, Dutch oven cooking and more.

To register, or obtain additional information, call the chamber at 860-701-9113, or visit www.ChamberECT.com and click on chamber events.

Kathy Kane of Bouvier Insurance agricultural division has received recognition from Acadia Insurance Company as the No. 1 insurance agency providing farm products throughout Connecticut. Bouvier Insurance is also ranked No. 10 nationwide.

A resident of Gales Ferry, Kane has been providing farm and equine insurance for more than 15 years.

Her family owned and operated a horse boarding facility in North Kingstown, R.I.

Kane also provides coverages for small businesses, contractors, home, auto and offices.

For further information, call 860-859-9821 x321 or email kkane@binsurance.com

The Latin Network for the Visual Arts has added six new members to its board: Yelena Bergman, Gay C. Clarkson, Anne Flammang, Nadesha Mijoba, Randall Paterson and Alexandra Place.

The three new members of the Gales Ferry-based group's advisory council are Mark Dixon, David Madacsi and Irene Weiss.

The group also announced that it received $2,500 from the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and $1,000 from the George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation to support "Latin Views 2012," an international juried exhibit this fall at the Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art.

Dime Academy, a community education initiative of Norwich-based Dime Bank, will hold its inaugural seminar titled "How to Speak to Your Spouse about Finances" at 5 p.m. Thursday in Dime Bank's Community Room at 290 Salem Tpke. in Norwich.

Guest speakers include attorney Linda Mariani, who will explain how to avoid common financial mistakes that strain marriage; executive director Paul Poulin of Connecticut Financial Planning, who will explain how to set up a household; and senior trust officer Tom McAvoy of Dime Trust Services, who will explain setting up wills, trusts, and investments for a healthy future.

Advance registration is required. For more information, go to https://dime-bank.com/dimeacademy.

The Ledge Light BNI Chapter meets Thursday mornings at 7:15 at Filomena's restaurant in the Utopia Centre in Waterford. Meetings end at 9.

Meetings are geared toward networking with business professionals from all types of industries. If interested, e-mail pamela_gracey@us.aflac.com

The mission of BNI is to help members increase their business through a structured, positive and professional "word-of-mouth" referral program that enables them to develop long-term, meaningful relationships with quality business professionals.

Horizons Inc. has received a $1,000 grant from ChelseaGroton Bank to fund the "Respite Strengthens Families Project 2012".

Each summer, Horizons holds a series of summer camps for children and adults with developmental disabilities.

ChelseaGroton Bank is an independent, full-service community bank with 14 branches throughout southeastern Connecticut. The ChelseaGroton Foundation was established in 1999 with a $2 million donation by the bank.

Edward Jones, a nationwide financial-services company with local branches, ranked No. 1 in investor satisfaction among full-service brokerage firms this year, according to a J.D. Power and Associates study.

The study measures overall investor satisfaction with full service investment firms based on seven factors: investment advisor, investment performance, account information, account offerings, commissions and fees, website and problem resolution.

"We are gratified that our clients find it convenient to work with us on their long-term financial goals," Jim Bates, financial advisor for Edward Jones in Mystic, said.

Edward Jones' overall score climbed 15 points over last year, highest among the 14 largest firms rated, as well as 28 points above the industry average.

Pam Giordano has joined Weichert Realtors - Suburban Realtors as a member of the company's Guilford sales team.

A resident of Branford, she brings more than 25 years in real estate experience to the Mystic-based firm. She is a member of the Middlesex Shoreline Association of Realtors and plans to assist homebuyers and sellers along the shoreline.

Among her real estate industry accolades are 5 Star Realtor in Connecticut 2011 and 2012, Office Agent of the Year, President's Circle, No. 1 Agent in Best of New Haven Advocate Readers Poll 2011, and Top 10 in the State of Connecticut.

In addition to associate and bachelor's degrees, Giordano holds the professional designations GRI, CRS, PSCS, ABR and CHMS.

The Guilford office can be reached by calling 203-689-5499.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut is starting Brown Bag Seminars, mid-day education sessions for members. The first event is scheduled Wednesday, May 23, at the chamber office, 914 Hartford Tpke., Waterford.

The topics will vary, but the initial offering will feature a speaker from A-OK Consulting who will focus on users of Adobe Systems.

For additional information or to register, call 860-701-9113 or visit www.ChamberECT.com and click on chamber events.

Press releases for the Business in Brief column, which runs each Sunday, should be sent to businessbriefs@theday.com.

Submit all items for consideration by Monday morning for publication in the following Sunday's business section.

Generally, press releases should be no more than two to three paragraphs in length because of space limitations. Remember to include pertinent information, such as your company's telephone number, hours of operation and website address.

For general questions about Business in Brief submissions, call Lee Howard, business writer for The Day, at (860) 701-4356 or send an email to l.howard@theday.com.