Mohegan Sun has announced that Joffre Wells is joining its executive team as VP of Capital Markets, Investor Relations and Corporate Treasurer. Kelly Leung and Kelly Sullivan, whose time with Mohegan stretches 10-plus years, have also been promoted to the Mohegan Leadership Team.

Wells will help steer Mohegan's capital planning while strengthening its investor and banking relationships. The role also allows Joffre to use his knowledge to support strategic projects in accounting, financial planning and analysis and Team Member development.

Prior to joining Mohegan, Joffre was a Global Macro Trader for Brandywine Global in Philadelphia. Earlier in his career, he also served as Global Rates Trader – Vice President, for BlackRock out of New York City. Joffre holds an MBA in Management Information Systems and an MS in Finance from Drexel University, in addition to a BBA in Finance from Temple University.

Kelly Leung, who now takes on an elevated role for Mohegan as Senior Vice President of International Marketing, will remain involved in key marketing initiatives at Mohegan Sun, while expanding his responsibilities and expertise to Mohegan's international portfolio which includes Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, Ontario, and now Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea.

Kelly Sullivan also has been a part of the Mohegan family since 2013, first serving as Director of Career and Leadership Development for the Mohegan Tribe. Sullivan was hired by Mohegan in 2016 where she took on the title of Director of Global Human Resources and Development and later was promoted to Director of Global People Operations for Mohegan in 2019. Sullivan will oversee and lead the Corporate People Operations team for all recruiting, hiring, onboarding, engagement, performance management and other high level internal business operations for Mohegan.

People & Places

The history of wolfmen, witches, vampires and zombies come to life in a new book by Mark Fabrizi of Westbrook, a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, titled "Historical Dictionary of Horror Literature."

Fabrizi, professor of education, wrote a book about the horror and fantasy genres in 2018 and contributed to an earlier dictionary of the history of fantasy literature. The publisher, Rowman & Littlefield, asked him to add to its series of historical dictionaries with one on horror literature.

The dictionary goes as far back as about 4,000 BCE, to ancient Sumerian myths about a demon who was part ghost, part vampire and part zombie. In 1854, Fabrizi wrote, residents of Jewett City, believing that vampires lived among them, exhumed recently buried bodies and burned them. In nearby Hopeville, a section of Griswold, 29 bodies were exhumed. One had its skull removed and the body was reburied face down with femur bones crossed over the chest, wrote Fabrizi.

Fabrizi will teach a new course, "Wizards, Witches and Warriors," in spring 2025. He also recently published the second edition of his book, "Writing a Watertight Thesis" (Bloomsbury Press, 2023).

Davis-Standard, based in Pawcatuck, is expanding its service and support capabilities focused on delivering better line efficiency and lower operating costs to its customers. The company’s investments in one global service team, critical spare parts inventory, new service products and advanced digital infrastructure are to address customers’ need for speed, uptime, flexibility, cost savings and quality. These enhanced capabilities are designed to support all equipment manufactured by Davis-Standard and its subsidiaries, including Maillefer.

Giovanni Spitale, CEO of Davis-Standard, said “it's about building enduring partnerships that empower our customers to thrive.”

Davis-Standard's investment spans into four core areas: an expanded network of expert service technicians; a stockpile of more than 1,000 critical spare parts in its VIP program for customers; flexible preventative maintenance programs, and Service Cloud advanced data analytics, and remote monitoring/IOT capabilities.

Several local students will perform this weekend at EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater’s performance of “A Thin Veil” 2024 Student Dance Company Showcase directed by Tiana Mancuso at the Capitol Theater in downtown Willimantic.

Among the dancers who worked on choreography were Aiya Butler (Groton), Morgan Labonte (Plainfield), Najah Wells (Norwich) and Tatyana Winston (Baltic). Dancers Izabella Garceau (Lebanon) and Josmar Hernandez (New London) will also perform. Each student choreographer was paired with a student lighting designer.

BioCT, the trade organization for the life sciences industry for the State of Connecticut, has announced the addition of four executives to its Board of Directors. The organization has elected Jean-Michel Boers, US Country Managing Director, President and CEO, Boehringer Ingelheim USA; Kat Kayser-Bricker, Chief Scientific Officer, Halda Therapeutics; Paul Fonteyne, Executive in Residence, Canaan; and Seng H. Cheng, Senior Vice President, Research and Product Development, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease.

New London Maritime Society has announced the restoration of a 190-year-old iron door at New London Harbor Pequot Lighthouse, thanks to a fundraising effort that covered the $3,800 cost.

Susan Tamulevich, NLMS executive director, noted that the community first came together to restore and repaint the lighthouse in 2014, to wash the tower in 2022, and now to restore the lighthouse door. “Thanks to you all, the door will endure for decades to come,” she said in a release.

New London Harbor Lighthouse dates to 1760 and was first lit 262 years ago. It’s now the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Long Island Sound. To learn more, visit https://nlmaritimesociety.org/.

Events & Programs

Do you know what your client eats for breakfast? This, along with other sage wisdom and practical advice will be part of a discussion titled “Creating Your Ideal Client Avatar” by holistic business coach and small business owner Gina Johnson at the January luncheon meeting of the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network. The group will gather at Filomena’s restaurant in Waterford, 262 Boston Post Road on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The cost of the luncheon is $20 for those who register in advance. Walk-ins will be charged $25. Online payment and reservations can be made by visiting sectwomensnetwork.org/events. You do not have to be a member to attend. Advance registration is preferred.

Contact SECT Women’s Network Board Member MaryLou Gannotti with questions regarding the luncheon at (860)362-0963 or email mwgannotti@alz.org.

A business luncheon featuring Congressman Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, will be sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the Holiday Inn Norwich.

Courtney has represented Connecticut's second congressional district since 2006. He currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee.

"Early Bird" registration is before Jan. 19: Chamber ECT Members: $30, Non-Member: $40.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to the Norwich Community Development Corporation annual meeting and BREAD Awards at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at 352 Main St., Norwich.

The meeting will start with a light breakfast, followed by an 8 a.m. board meeting led by Chairwoman Rebecca Alberts and annual presentation by NCDC Chairman Kevin Brown.

The Business Retention, Expansion, Attraction, and Development Awards will start about 9:15 a.m., followed by small group facility tours of the Hotel Callista.

Registration is requested and can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-ncdc-annual-meeting-bread-awards-tickets-778315441437?aff=oddtdtcreator.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Breakfast will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, at Holiday Inn Norwich, 10 Laura Blvd,, Norwich.

This panel discussion is an opportunity to connect with state legislators and stay informed about the issues that affect your business and community. Register in advance or contact the GNACC Office (860) 887-1647 if you are interested in attending. To learn more, contact angelaadams@NorwichChamber or call (860) 887-1647.

The GNACC Young Professionals under 40 years of age are a group looking to meet and network with other young professionals.

A YP Meet & Greet will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24, from 5:30 - 7 p.m. at CorePlus Credit Union, 202 Salem Tpke. in Norwich. For more information, visit gnaccyp.org.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for Pop Over Eatery at its new Mystic location, 24 E. Main St., from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Jan. 31, To register, visit mysticchamber.org.

Grants & Scholarships

Michael Alberts, president of the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation, has announced the award of seven grants totaling $13,111 to local nonprofits in honor of the bank’s 150th anniversary.

Awardees included the Plainfield Police Department, The Last Green Valley, the Griswold Historical Society, the Quinebaug Valley Senior Citizens Center, the Aspinock Historical Society, the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and the Preston Schools PTO.

During a 150th Family Fun Day in July to celebrate the anniversary, customer Jessica Epstein won a $1,500 grand prize.

Due to a successful poinsettia sale, Mystic Woman’s Club has awarded $1,000 grants for heating relief to Groton Human Services and Stonington Human Services.

Mystic Woman’s Club meets monthly, September through June, on the second Thursday of the month. Visit www.mysticwomansclub.org for more information.

United Community and Family Services has won a $75,000 CVS Health Foundation grant as part of its 2023 Hometown Fund, which supports local communities. The grant will directly impact the lives of Norwich residents struggling with health-related social needs that impact their access to healthcare.

Norma Glover, UCFS Healthcare’s Supervisor for Community Outreach notes, “We see many families in our community struggling to make ends meet. Many feel financially pressured and put off seeking healthcare services because they cannot afford basic necessities such as food, housing, or transportation. The CVS Health Foundation Grant will allow us to eliminate these hindering social barriers and bring relief to struggling families.”

Training & Education

SCORE of Eastern CT will present the free small business Zoom webinar “Finding Customers” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25,

To register, visit https://easternct.score.org/.

This webinar with SCORE mentor Eric Munro looks at the steps in finding customers. Munro is a product management, sales, and marketing executive with experience in high-technology businesses, both domestically and internationally.

SCORE is a nonprofit association that offers free advice on starting your own business and growing your existing small business. For more information, visit https://www.score.org/easternct.

Opportunities

Registration is now open for the 19th annual eesmart Student Contest sponsored by Energize Connecticut as well as such energy firms as Eversource, Avangrid, United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas.

For nearly two decades, the contest has invited Connecticut students in grades K-12 to answer grade level-specific prompts on how they would promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable solutions. This year, students in Grades K-8 are asked to submit their entries in the form of a poster (Grades K-2), limericks (Grade 3), outdoor billboard (Grade 4), fictional story with an energy-saving character (Grade 5), persuasive letter (Grade 6), comic strip (Grade 7), or social media post (Grade 8).

Students in Grades 9-12 will produce a persuasive image in words or pictures, such as a short poem (125 words or less) or cartoon strip (12 cells or less) that advocates for an energy topic. Entries will be evaluated based on scientific validity and concise and convincing imagery.

Contest registration is open until March 22. Project submissions are due on March 29. All work must be completed by the individual submitting the entry. No group projects are being accepted this year. For more information, visit EnergizeCT.com/student-contest.

Media & Communications

The state Office of Consumer Counsel has filed a petition with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority requesting that it investigate Frontier Communication’s “non-compliance” with the service standards required in Connecticut.

Connecticut’s certified telecommunications providers are required to file semi-annual Quality of Service reports outlining their performance on a six-month basis. These standards that PURA enforces ensure that when a resident picks up their phone to make an urgent call, they are met with a dial tone and are subsequently connected.

The petition calls attention to instances where Frontier’s reporting indicates they fell short of expectations, while also failing in some instances to file reports explaining their failures.