Chamber names Louis Ziegler as Citizen of the Year
Waterford — The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut has selected Louis Ziegler, chairman of the Chamber Foundation's board since 2010, as its 68th Citizen of the Year.
"This year it was a no-brainer," chamber President Tony Sheridan said, adding, "I think Lou is a genuinely decent person, and the role he fills at the foundation kind of comes naturally to him."
The foundation board, which provides grants to nonprofits that help children, operates separately from the chamber board.
Sheridan noted that the award is about honoring what someone does beyond his or her job to make eastern Connecticut a better place to live.
Ziegler, a Montville native, is executive director of housing for the Mohegan Tribal Housing Authority. He previously worked at the Norwich Bulletin and started participating in its Tommy Toy Fund, which provides toys to children in need around the holidays.
Ziegler became involved with the chamber upon leaving the Bulletin for the Mohegan Tribe. He previously served on the chamber board.
The foundation has grown from mostly supporting the Tommy Toy Fund to last year awarding grants to 38 local organizations. The foundation's 34th Holiday Gala, held in December, raised more than $122,000.
Ziegler also sits on the Montville Commission on the Aging, is a board member for Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities and coaches Montville Little League.
Ziegler was nominated for the honor and then chosen by a selection committee that includes Sheridan, Angela Arnold, Bill Stanley, Lottie B. Scott, Donna Ceccarelli, Dianne Kent and Meredith Diette.
Recent past Citizens of the Year include Mary Lenzini, Neil Ryan and Scott Gladstone, Mitchell Etess and Maria Miranda.
Ziegler will be honored at a dinner celebration this spring; the Chamber will announce the date and venue in the coming weeks. Ziegler lives in Oakdale with his wife and two kids.
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