EMPLOYMENT

Kyle J. Zrenda has joined Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law as an associate on the firm’s civil litigation team, practicing in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and health care law. Prior to joining Suisman Shapiro, Zrenda was an associate at Vigorito, Barker, Patterson, Nichols and Porter, LLP in New York. Zrenda graduated from East Lyme High School, received his B.A. from Boston College in 2010 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2013. He was listed by Super Lawyers as a New York Metro “Rising Star” in the area of personal injury. Suisman Shapiro Attorneys at Law is located at 2 Union Plaza, New London. For more information call (860) 442-4416 or visit www.suismanshapiro.com.

The Washington Trust Company recently announced the following promotions within the Bank’s Senior Management Team: Amy U. Arruda of Pawcatuck, was promoted to Senior Vice President, Retail Banking. She joined Washington Trust in 1997. Kristin L. Battisti of Mystic, was promoted to Senior Vice President, Compliance. She began her career with Washington Trust as Assistant Vice President, Compliance, in 2010. Mark A. Smithey of Charlestown, R.I., was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer. He joined Washington Trust in 1997. Patricia M. Hartford of Westerly, was promoted to Senior Vice President and Manager of Cash Management Services. She joined Washington Trust in 1982. For more information, visit www.washtrust.com. 

OPENING

Thomas Bonelli has re-located his Jackson Hewitt Tax Service office from Crystal Mall to the Waterford Shopping Plaza, at 117 Boston Post Road. It offers tax preparation services, planning services and consulting. This location is in addition to Bonelli's office in the Groton Shopping Plaza.

WORKSHOPS

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a workshop about "Increasing Office Productivity" on Monday, Jan. 7, noon to 1 p.m. at the Chamber's office, 914 Hartford Turnpike, second floor, Waterford. Workshop presenter is Matin Karbassioon of CONNSTEP. Admission is $5 for any employee who works for a business that belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT. Non-member admission is $15. Guests are encouraged to bring their lunches. Learn more and sign up at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

SCORE will host workshops on:

"Understanding Your Money - Financial Statements," Tuesday, Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m., Dime Bank, 290 Salem Turnpike, Norwich. Presenter is Jim Toner. Sponsored by Dime Bank.

"Maximizing LinkedIn for Your Professional Career or Business," Thursday, Jan. 17, 5:30–7 p.m., Acton Public Library, 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. Presenter is Maria Miranda.

"How to Start and Run a Successful Non-Profit Organization," Tuesday, Jan. 22, 9:30-11 a.m., Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main St.  Presenter is Bob Potter.

"Cost, Price and Profit," Wednesday, Jan. 23, 5:30-7 p.m., East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic. Presenter is Eric Munro.

“Effective Financial Planning,” Monday, January 28, 5:30–7p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road.

For more information, contact Anne Driscoll at anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.

MILESTONE

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a One-Year Anniversary Celebration for Il Pomod'Oro Restaurant and Pizzeria on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 4-6 p.m. at 177 Boston Post Road in East Lyme. Admission is free and open to the public with no RSVP necessary. Find out more at www.ChamberECT.com/events or call (860) 701-9113.

HONORS

Jewett City Savings Bank has been named by readers of The Commercial Record as the Best Community Bank in Connecticut for the fifth consecutive year. Jewett City Savings Bank has offices in Jewett City, Brooklyn, Dayville, Plainfield, and Preston. For more information, visit www.jcsbank.com.  

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is seeking nominations for Regional Chamber Awards, which will be presented at its Annual Meeting in the spring. Visit www.ChamberECT.com and submit nominations for the following categories: Small Business of the Year, Business of the Year, Community Revitalization Award, New Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, Best Place to Work, Industry Innovator, Tourism Leader of the Year, and Young Professional of the Year. Nominations close on Feb. 1. Self-nominations are allowed.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is seeking nominations for its next Citizen of the Year through Jan. 7. The winning candidate will be announced in spring 2019 and will be celebrated in May 2019. Visit www.ChamberECT.com/events to find additional information and nominating criteria.

GIVING

Locally owned and family operated, the seven Wireless Zone – Verizon Premium Wireless Retailers nominated multiple non-profit organizations in Rhode Island and Connecticut to receive grants from the Wireless Zone Foundation in 2018. Owners Don Sommers, Dave Moone, Scott Gladstone and Neil Ryan selected several local charities in their territories who go above and beyond to impact the people in need in the community. In addition to their personal store contributions to local charities, five Rhode Island non-profit organizations were selected as Wireless Zone Foundation grant recipients in 2018 and 12 in Connecticut.

The following non-profit organizations were awarded Wireless Zone Foundation grants: Channel 3 Kids Camp, Center for Hospice Care, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Jewish Federation of Eastern CT, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, Waterford Country School, Windham Hospital Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, Frank Olean Center, Jonnycake Center of Westerly, Operation Stand Down and Substance Use and Mental Health Leadership Council of RI. Each recipient organization received $5,500.

The Dime Bank Foundation has awarded The Arc New London County $1,150 to support its existing Farm Stand on Route 117 in Ledyard and the expansion of its Community Supported Agriculture program. For more information, contact Denise Tift at (860) 889-4435 x 116 or dtift@thearcnlc.org. 

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