Nancy Zeppieri has joined Jewett City Savings Bank as branch manager of the Pawcatuck office.

Zeppieri previously served as branch manager at Berkshire Bank’s Pawcatuck branch for eight years, which was formerly Savings Institute Bank & Trust. Before joining Savings Institute, she worked at Citizens Bank, in the same building where Jewett City Savings Bank’s current Pawcatuck office is located.

A member of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Zeppieri is well known to the Pawcatuck and Westerly business communities.

People & Places

Randy Cohen of Americans for the Arts will speak about the findings of the most recent national survey of the arts and culture impact on the local, state and national economy during a special onStage at Connecticut College event presented by the Cultural Coalition and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development - Office of the Arts on Monday, April 1, at 3:30 in Ernst Common Room.

Pawcatuck-based Davis-Standard has announced the appointment of Brian Anderson as chief procurement officer. In his new role, Anderson will assume global responsibility for Davis-Standard’s procurement and supply chain operations. He will oversee all aspects of supplier management, sourcing strategies, and cost optimization initiatives.

Prior to Davis-Standard, Anderson amassed 30 years of extensive experience in procurement and supply chain management, holding key procurement leadership roles with Duracell Inc, Robert Bosch, and the Marmon Group, among others. Brian also teaches courses at Elmhurst University in Supply Chain in Greater Chicago.

Brian holds a BA in Business and Education from Illinois State University and an MS degree in Supply Chain from Elmhurst University.

Governor Ned Lamont and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto have announced that a pilot microtransit service will begin in various communities throughout southeastern Connecticut through July 30. Microtransit service is an accessible, on-demand mode of transportation that allows customers to use a smartphone app or telephone number to request and schedule a ride within designated service areas.

Among the areas designated for the new program were Southeast Area Transit (SEAT) serving Groton and New London. Starting May 6, SEAT New London Smart Service will include late night service on existing microtransit services. On the same date, SEAT serving Waterford will begin microtransit services.

In addition to this new pilot program, existing microtransit services in Connecticut include New London Smart Ride and Stonington HOP Service (Southeast Area Transit District).

For more information on all of Connecticut’s microtransit services, visit portal.ct.gov/dot/publictrans/bureau-of-public-transportation/microtransit-services.

Connecticut manufacturer Packaging And Crating Technologies, manufacturer of a fire-suppressant paper wrap, and BS Technics, a Korean firm which provides material for electric vehicles, have announced a partnership that will allow PACT to expand its product line into the Asian country.

PACT’s Thermo Shield and TR Sleeve will be used in products produced by such companies as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG Electronics.

Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at PACT, noted that his product is meant as a solution to the problem of lithium-ion battery fires, which caused 611 injuries and 115 fatalities across the U.S. last year. PACT Thermo Shield is designed to contain temperatures upwards of 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, while restricting the temperature outside of the wrap to 140 degrees, shielding the surrounding environment from major damage.

For more information about PACT, visit: https://www.pactthermoshield.com/.

State News

Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman applauded the Connecticut Superior Court’s ruling last week upholding, in all major respects, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s March 2023 decision disallowing over $40 million of the Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut’s requested revenue increase. The OCC had intervened on behalf of ratepayers, including those in southeastern Connecticut.

In the 12 total counts Aquarion raised on appeal, nine were dismissed by the court’s decision and three were remanded back to PURA. The three remanded counts concern minor technical expense recovery issues, according to the OCC.

Scholarships & Grants

The 40th annual Nick Woviotis Memorial Scholarship Award will be handed out this year on Friday, May 24, at the Italian Dramatic Club on Goshen Street in New London.

To be considered. the student must reside in the towns of New London. Waterford or East Lyme. It is mandatory that the recipient attend college. The award includes a monetary payment of $2,500 for the first year. and continuing monetary payments of $1,000 each year afterward, provided the recipient remains in college, making the total scholarship award $5,500.

To date, over $350,000 has been awarded to recipients. Over 95% of the recipients have completed their college education. If you know of any seniors in high school you feel will qualify, advise them to ask for a form from their guidance counselor or write to: The Nick Woviotis Memorial Fund, c/o Murray Renshaw 245 Shaw St., New London CT 06320, or email murraytheeye@snet.net The applications must be postmarked on or before April 20.

Chamber News

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will hold its State of Stonington & Groton at 9 a.m. Friday April 5, at Hilton Mystic, 20 Coogan Blvd, Mystic. The event includes a hot breakfast, with members: cost at $25 and non-members $35.

Danielle Cheesebrough, First Selectman of Stonington, and John Burt, Town Manager of Groton and Keith Hedrick, Mayor of Groton City will share information and take questions.

The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut also will host a business luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, featuring Gov. Ned Lamont at Ocean Beach Park, 98 Neptune Ave., New London.

Early-bird registrants before April 4 will cost $40 for Chamber members and $50 for nonmembers.

The Buzz is a weekly roundup of business news compiled by Business Editor Lee Howard. To get in The Buzz, email businessbriefs@theday.com. To easily access urls cited in print, go to www.theday.com and type “The Buzz” into the search bar.