> Jerry Hallas Memorial Award

Jerry Hallas Memorial Award

This award is presented in honor of Mr. J. Jeremiah Hallas, one of the group of forty Windsor business people who re-established the Chamber in 1949. Mr. Hallas also served as Chamber President in 1953-54. The 2022 Award Winner is Mary-Lynn Kinney.

Award Criteria:
  • Must be a Chamber member in good standing
  • Outstanding participation in the Chamber including service on the Board of Directors, committee work or other volunteerism
  • Supports Chamber members and the business community


2022 - Mary-Lynn Kinney

2022 - Mary-Lynn Kinney
Mary-Lynn Kinney is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Windsor Federal Savings whose responsibilities include managing and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Association. Starting in August of 2000 as Vice President / Controller, she quickly was promoted in April 2003 to Vice President / Chief Financial Officer and again in July 2007 to EVP/CFO due to her extensive financial analysis, budgeting experience and over 25 years in the financial industry. She was again promoted to her current position in 2019.

Mary-Lynn has served as Treasurer of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce since 2007, and retires from the Board of Directors this summer after fifteen years as the Chamber’s fiscal guardian. Her expert and diligent attention to fiscal control and oversight has been a major factor in keeping the Chamber sound, stable, and secure. More than that, Mary-Lynn’s equanimity and grounded but positive attitude as a leader, even through unstable and difficult times, have made an impact on the whole organization. Whenever and however the Chamber has needed her, Mary-Lynn has been there for us.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and an honors graduate of the National School of Banking, she also held the position of Treasurer for the Huntington House Museum. Mary-Lynn and her family live in South Windsor, CT.

2020-2021 - Sarah Gilligan

2020-2021 - Sarah Gilligan
A lifelong resident of Connecticut, Sarah is a native of Meriden and a twenty-five-year resident of Windsor, where she lives with her husband, Dan. In Windsor, Sarah and Dan found a small, diverse community in which they could raise their then-new family, find warm neighbors and friends, and become part of a thriving business environment. Sarah and Dan are terribly proud of their two daughters, Amy and Lauren, both Windsor High School grads.

As the owner and principal of Cerebration since 1991, Sarah offers writing and graphic design services that make her clients look their best while telling their best stories. A generalist who loves to ask questions and learn new things, she has worked for clients in technology, health care, fitness, retail, non-profits, real estate development, human resources, damage remediation … even dog walking. Previously, she worked as a magazine editor and a technical writer. Sarah attributes her long career as a freelancer to the experience of having a truly terrible boss at her first job.

Sarah is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, with a major in English and a minor in history. To this day, she remains fascinated by history, the human experience and the importance of understanding and communicating it all clearly. She believes that the stories we tell shape the way we view, experience and remember our lives.

At the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, Sarah served on the board of directors, as a vice president and as president from 2018–20. She was previously a committee chair, board member and officer at the North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of First Town Downtown and has volunteered for Preserve Windsor, the Windsor Refugee Resettlement Committee, Northern Connecticut Ballet, the Unitarian Society of Hartford and Project Santa.

In her free time, Sarah reads, writes fiction, hikes, exercises (she’s a kickboxing/MMA group exercise addict) and rides her bike around our fair town. Her favorite things about Windsor are its diversity, grit and sense of community.

2019 - Michael Deneen

2019 - Michael Deneen
Michael P. Deneen is a partner in the law firm of O’Malley, Deneen, Leary, Messina & Oswecki. He graduated with honors from Boston College with a B.A. in English in 1981 and received his J.D. from The University of Connecticut School of Law in 1984. He was admitted to the Connecticut Bar in 1984 and the Bar of the United States District Court, District of Connecticut in 1985. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the Hartford County Bar Association and the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

Mike practices in the areas of plaintiff’s personal injury law, criminal law, commercial and residential real estate and estate planning and probate. He has represented individuals, small businesses and banks at O’Malley, Deneen, Leary, Messina & Oswecki for thirty five years. He has also served as an Assistant Town Attorney for the Town of East Hartford.

In addition to his law practice, Mike has been a co-owner of the Union Street Tavern since its establishment in Windsor in 2006. The tavern has consistently supported Windsor organizations and the Chamber since it opened.

He coordinates the Union Street Tavern Trot, a charity road race that was begun 13 years ago to mark the first anniversary of the tavern’s opening. The Union Street Tavern Trot has raised over $300,000.00 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation in its fight against pediatric cancer. He has served on the Board of the Windsor Jaycees, St. Gabriel School and St. Timothy Middle School. He has served as the Shad Derby Green chairman and he is the past president of First Town Downtown and the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. For many years, he coached youth basketball at St. Gabriel School, St. Timothy Middle School, Windsor Travel and AAU. He is the current president of the Windsor Club, an organization with no socially redeeming purpose.

He and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Windsor and are the parents of five daughters, one son and one grandson.

2018 - Marshall Fox

2018 - Marshall Fox
Marshall Fox is the General Manager of Konica Minolta's Windsor facility. Konica Minolta moved to Windsor in 1981 and part of their mission was, and still is, to be socially responsible by supporting the Windsor community. Marshall started with the company in 1980 in their Hartford branch office and moved to the Windsor facility in 1984. A life-long resident of Connecticut he has lived in Wethersfield, Cromwell, South Windsor, Enfield and now resides in Suffield. He served for many years on the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and on the Board of Directors for the Associates Federal Credit Union. Marshall currently serves on the Board of Directors for Rebuild Together Hartford. He has two daughters in college; Jessica and Holly.

2017 - Frank Carmon IV

2017 - Frank Carmon IV
Frank Carmon is a third-generation funeral director and embalmer and an owner of Carmon Funeral Homes, Inc. which owns and operates nine funeral homes in Hartford and Tolland County. Frank graduated as the valedictorian from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 1998 and he received a Bachelor of Science in Funeral Service Administration from St. John's University in 1999. During college, he worked at the Joseph E. Sessa Funeral Home in Brooklyn, NY and after graduation Frank served his apprenticeship at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien, CT, a 123-year-old family business.

Frank’s interest in funeral service started at a young age and he has worked at the Windsor-based family business since 1994. He has been a licensed funeral director since 2000. After working full-time for five years, Frank decided to further his business education and obtained his MBA from the University of Connecticut, School of Business where he concentrated in corporate finance and graduated at the top of his class. He immediately returned to work at the funeral home in 2006. Shortly after, Frank purchased the business from his father, Frank “Bill” W. Carmon, III, who passed in 2013.

Frank has embraced his family’s long tradition of giving back to the community; a community which he lives in and serves. He is past president of the Exchange Club of Windsor, the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, and First Town Downtown. Frank is a third-generation member of Washington Lodge #70, A.F. & A.M. in Windsor and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Polish National Home in Hartford. In 2013, Frank was asked to join the board of directors of Windsor Federal Saving and currently serves on the loan, technology, and compensation committees at the bank. Gov. Dannel Malloy appointed Frank to the Board of Examiners of Funeral Directors and Embalmers for the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health in January of 2015, which he continues to serve on today. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Windsor and he is also a member of St. Joseph Church in Poquonock where he attends with his wife and daughter. Frank has served on many other community boards and enjoys presenting to churches, schools, and other community groups on a variety of topics related to grief and funeral service. Frank is very proud of the diverse religions and cultures that his family and staff have the privilege of serving in the Greater Hartford Community. In 2016, he was awarded the Colin Bennett/Marcus Garvey Community Service Award for his work in giving back to the African-American and Caribbean communities in Hartford area.

Frank, his wife Taryn, and their daughter Isabella live in Windsor and love spending time with their family. Frank is an avid reader, likes scuba diving and traveling, and he genuinely enjoys spending time giving back to the community.

2016 - Jim Nilsson

2016 - Jim Nilsson
James H. Nilsson, Jr., born December 22,1952, in Hartford CT to James & Mary Nilsson, grew up in the family business. Mr. Nilsson is a third-generation grocery retailer who, with his siblings, owns seven IGA supermarkets. The eldest of four, Jim began his grocery career at age 10 working with his grandfather, Adolph Geissler. He attended East Windsor Public Schools before heading off to New York Military Academy in Cornwall, NY for the completion of high school and went on to attend Babson College in Wellesley MA to obtain his B.S. degree. Returning to the family business in 1974, Jim held various managerial positions such as Grocery Manager, Produce Manager, Dairy Manager, Store Manager, Buyer and Vice President of Operations. While working alongside his father and mentor, Jim married Joan Gambarotta in 1974 and started his own family going on to have 2 daughters Jennifer and Jaclyn.

Mr. Nilsson took over the stores’ leadership in 1995 after the unexpected death of his father, under whose leadership expanded to where they are today. Joining his Granby, Windsor, East & South Windsor Connecticut supermarkets were new stores that opened in Agawam, Massachusetts in 1996, Bloomfield, Connecticut in 2006 and Somers, Connecticut in 2007. Mr. Nilsson is not a man of many words, but he is a man of many actions, both at Geissler’s and in the community. Among being a member and volunteer for the Melrose 4-H Band, Broad Brook Volunteer Fire Fighter and Broad Brook Fife and Drum band, Windsor Rotary Club, Windsor Chamber of Commerce and Sons of the American Legion - Post 40. He has served as Chairperson, Town of East Windsor Board of Finance; Advisor, New England Bank and Trust; Advisor, Windsor Locks Savings and Loan; Advisor, Enfield Federal Savings and Loan; and Past President, Ellington Ridge Country Club. He is current officer and past chairman, for the Connecticut Food Association and is on the executive committee for NGA. He has been honored by Connecticut Food Association as Person of the Year and Hall of Fame Inductee as well as the IGA International Retailer of the Year. Most recently he received the Town of Windsor’s Humanitarian Award, East Windsor Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, Granby Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, Rotary’s Paul Harris Award, U.S. Small Business Administration Family Owned Business of the year, and Bozzuto Retailer of the Year.

For Jim the theory of success is fairly simple. “Stick with the basics and stay with selling groceries.” Besides that he has continued what his father and grandfather taught him: Buy the best you can and believe in butcher shops and meat cutting.

2015 - Kristen Barbarotta

2015 - Kristen Barbarotta
Kristen Barbarotta grew up in Trumbull and graduated Wesleyan University in 2000 with a BA in History and then from the University of Connecticut School of Law in May 2003 with her Juris Doctor.

Kristen served on the board of directors of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce from 2004 to 2008, then moved up to VP of Community Relations for two years, then VP of Chamber Relations for two years, then was elected President for 2012-2014. She remains active with the Chamber today, continuing to chair the Business Development / Programs Committee and the Annual Dinner Committee as well as First Town Downtown's Promotions Committee.

Kristen is a partner at Law Firm Johnson, Dowe, Brown, and Barbarotta LLC in Windsor. Kristen's husband Jayson is a teacher at Newington High School. They live in Windsor Locks with their daughter Reese.

2014 - Paul Vagnini

2014 - Paul Vagnini
Paul, a Windsor resident since 1976, was born in Derby, CT, and is a graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, and a 1974 graduate of Providence College.

He began his career in the printing business in 1976 with the Spaulding Company of Waltham, Massachusetts. Several years later, he began a career in the direct mail business with Harford Direct Mail, originally a Windsor based company. He is currently the owner of Nojunkmail LLC, a printing and mailing company, founded in 2005, specializing in services to the municipal market. The company currently services more than 40 Connecticut towns.

In addition to serving as President of the Windsor Chamber, from 2010 to 2012, he has coordinated the Chamber Blood Drive for many years. He has also served on the Board of Directors at WIN-TV, and as the Chamber representative on the Shad Derby Committee.

For many years, he coached in both the Windsor Little League and the Windsor Instructional Basketball League. He has been a certified high school basketball referee for 23 years.

Paul and his wife, Maureen, have three children, Jay, Brian and Laura, all Windsor High School graduates, and two adorable granddaughters who reside in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

2013 - Ray Embury

2013 - Ray Embury
Originally from Michigan, Ray is a 1970 graduate of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, He holds a BA in Business Administration. Ray re-located to Connecticut with his wife Cal in 1974. They have two boys. Ray began his career in 1974 with the Hartford based Royal Business Machines as a Field Service Technician and in 1981 was promoted to the Windsor corporate headquarters of Konica Business Machines which is now Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. Several job responsibilities later Ray is now the Manager of Community Relations, Office Services and Konica Minolta's in-plant and commercial print provider, the bizhub Image Center. Ray also serves on the Board of Directors of the Windsor Associates Federal Credit Union and Tallwood Men's Club, in Hebron CT.

2012 - Paula M. Pierce

2012 - Paula M. Pierce
Paula M. Pierce is a Windsor High School and Loyola University graduate holding a B.A. degree in English Literature. Paula is the owner of Hosting Connecticut, LLC; a full service website development company and PaulaWalla Imports; an online tea and fair trade gift shop. She and her husband, Michael, enjoy living in Windsor for its peaceful atmosphere and its community spirit.

Paula joined the Chamber of Commerce in 2003 and attended every Business Breakfast and Business After Hours event for the first four years of her membership. She has also served on a number of Chamber committees, such as the Annual Benefit Auction, Revolutionary Windsor, Windsor Today, and Technology and has been the chair of the Tourism committee for the last several years. She served on the Board of Directors and was President from 2008 to 2010, and was installed as Secretary in 2011. She continues to volunteer much of her time to Chamber programs.

Paula was a Notary Public for ten years and is the founder and moderator of the Windsor chapter of Freecycle, a group of over 1800 Windsor people keeping good, usable items out of the landfill. She avidly supports local business. In her free time she likes to read, knit and garden.

2011 - Martin McMahon

2011 - Martin McMahon
Marty McMahon is a product of Windsor. His education started as a member of the final class of the Stony Hill School and he graduated from Windsor High School in 1981. After graduating from Villanova University he returned to Windsor and married Liza Gustafson also from Windsor. They have two children Denis and Mary Kate.

Marty started his work life at 14 picking tobacco for Brown's Tobacco and then "moved up" to dishwasher at the former Windsor House Restaurant. He worked for the Town of Windsor both as a lifeguard and a parks maintainer. He was given a citation by the town for saving a drowning boy in the Farmington River. After college and a short time in construction sales he entered banking. He started at the old Windsor Bank, got his first Branch Manager position at Windsor Federal Savings and completed his banking career at Fleet Bank in Windsor. In 1998 he joined Edward Jones Investments as a Financial Advisor where he was recently made a Limited Partner. Much of his success he attributes to his assistant Betty McDermott.

Marty is a lifelong swimmer having swam around Manhattan, across both Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound and most recently escaping from Alcatraz. His biggest accomplishment came at age 22 when he became the 39th American and first from Connecticut to swim the English Channel.

He raised money for Special Olympics as part of his swim and has since raised money for the Boy Scouts, Easter Seals, St Vincent's Hospital and MS. During his preparation for the Channel he was introduced to the Windsor Jaycees where he was an active member and gained an interest in civic work. Since then he has been a board member of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim. He is past president of both First Town Downtown and the Windsor Chamber of Commerce.

2010 - Dr. Larry Pennington

2010 - Dr. Larry Pennington
Dr. Larry Pennington has been a resident of Windsor since 1985 and the veterinarian/owner of the Windsor Animal Clinic in the center of town since 1986. He moved here with his lovely wife, Andrea and together they have raised their sons, Parker and Colin. Both boys have flourished in the sport of figure skating and have made their mark as national champions.

In 1998 the First Town Veterinary Science 4-H Club was started by this year's award winner with a goal of working with youth and teaching them about animal husbandry and caring for their pets, veterinary health care, and career opportunities. Although the club has met regularly at a park in Windsor, the children come from far and wide. With usually 60-70 children (ages 7-17) in the club each year, and representing almost every town in Hartford County, the club has become one of the largest in Connecticut 4-H. For learning opportunities they have organized field trips to places like the Bronx and Providence Zoo with the Vet staffs, the Boston Aquarium with an aquatic veterinarian, and dairy farms and horse stables to meet with dairy and equine veterinarians. He has been judging every year at Windsor's "Just for Fun Dog Show" and the club has consistently played an active role in this event. His club also developed the "Dr. Buddy Dog"(a doggie veterinarian) at last year's Paws for a Cause town-wide fundraiser for the Windsor Education Foundation.

The most phenomenal contribution probably lies in their level of community service. His club goes to nursing homes each month to do pet therapy with the residents and does a low cost Rabies Clinic for the public each year in conjunction with the CT Vet. Medical Association and the Windsor/Bloomfield Public Health Departments. The club has developed a training program to raise service dogs to assist people in wheelchairs and for emotional assistance (autism). They started the "Walk for Chance", a dog walk as a fundraising event in 2005 to pay for the expenses to raise a rescue dog and get him certified for assistance work. The first dog was a Golden Retriever named Chance and he assists a wheelchair bound adult in Windsor as her hands and feet. Their second dog that was financed through the club is helping autistic and emotionally challenged children. Over $65,000 has been raised through the annual dog walks held for the past four years and the money has been used to help rescue dogs, train the service dogs, supply equipment and training to state police dogs, to help animal rescue operations like "Out to Pasture", and build a local dog park. The Walk for Chance has very quickly become one of the largest dog walks in the state and it was started through a 4-H youth group.

His commitment to his church, First Church in Windsor, has been well represented by seeing many elderly residents monthly through parish caring ministries and having lead and served on numerous church committees at First Church in Windsor. He has been the campaign manager for a local political candidate running for state representative in 2008. He's been a two time President of the Hartford County Veterinary Medical Association.

Amazingly, much of what he's accomplished has occurred since he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He would tell you that he decided he wanted to do something with his life before it was too late and soon after the diagnosis, he started his 4-H club. He would tell you that he's proudest of his charity work and that he's made his greatest mark since being hit with the disease.

He inspires others through his perseverance and hard work despite his physical limitations. His 4-Hers, their parents, fellow veterinarians, and people afflicted with MD have all looked up to him over the years.

2009 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award of the Year for Connecticut MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association), 2007 Connecticut Veterinarian of the Year 2001 Connecticut 4-H Leadership Award, 2001 & 2006 Hartford County 4-H Winding Brook Community Service Awards, 2003 Hartford County Friend of 4-H Award

2009 - Robert Carroll

2009 - Robert Carroll
Robert Carroll began school with Miss Record at John Fitch School, continued at LPW Junior High, and graduated from Windsor High in 1968 after way too many years of fun. He received a BS in Accounting from Central CT State U and learned business under Brendan Riley among others. While enjoying married life with Kathy and tackling fatherhood, he earned an MBA from Western New England College, then a CPA license. Community involvement started with the Windsor and CT Young Dems in college, and then he joined the Democratic Town Committee in 1972 with other young uns like Kathy, Randy Graff and Vinnie Oswecki. He sat on many Windsor Commissions and participated in town activities over the years: Air Water Pollution Abatement, Zoning Board of Appeals, Tax Appeal, Public Building, Economic Development, Board of Education, Selectmen, Chamber of Commerce, Town Treasurer, St. Jude Bike-A-Thon, First Town Downtown, Rotary, Kiwanis, WIN-TV, soccer, and t-ball. Since 1989 Bob is sole proprietor of Robert F. Carroll CPA.

Kathy and Bob have 4 children, a black cat and black lab, and live in a 115 year old house on Windsor Avenue.

2008 - Kathy Perlitz

Kathy is a graduate of St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a BA in Psychology from Central Connecticut State College and an MA in Counseling from St. Joseph College.

She was employed by Combustion Engineering, later ALSTOM Power, Inc for 35 years --- initially as an occupational health nurse and at the time of her retirement as vice-president of Support Services for the Day Hill location. She represented the company on the board of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce serving on the Education and Auction Committees. In retirement, she has continued supporting the WCC auction as a volunteer.

Kathy has also been involved in volunteer work through her church, St. Maurice of Bolton, CT including serving on the Board of the Manchester Area Conference of Churches which operates a shelter, soup kitchen, food pantry and a thrift shop as well as volunteering in both the food pantry and the thrift shop. She is a member of a Parish Nursing group at her church providing blood pressure screening and educational opportunities for parishioners.

In addition to favorite volunteer activities, retirement has afforded she and her husband more time with family and friends, the opportunity to travel and time for leisure activities -- gardening, reading, etc.

2007 - Sharran Selig Bennett

2007 - Sharran Selig Bennett
Sharran Selig has lived in Windsor her whole life graduating, from Windsor High School in 1966. She attended Hartford College for Women earning her associates degree in liberal arts. She presently is vice president of Bill Selig Jewelers, vice president of the Connecticut Jewelers Association and a member of the board of directors of the CT Tourism District. Sharran served as President of the Chamber for two years, served as tourism chair bringing Revolutionary Windsor to Windsor. Sharran continues to be involved serving as the Business Development co-chair

2006 - Nan Christensen Carmon

Anna Marie Christensen (Nan Christensen Carmon) was born August 18, 1923, at 88 Wilson Avenue, Wilson, Ct. to John and Gladys (Lawson) Christensen. She attended Roger Wolcott School, graduating in 1935. There, she received the DAR Good Citizenship Medal. The Christensens were active members of the former Church of Christ in Wilson where Nan was very involved. She was a Sunday School teacher, member of Christian Endeavor, the Century Club and studied under and worked with Sunday School Superintendent, the late Leland P. Wilson as co-auditor of the church's financial books. She was also, a member of the Board of Directors for several years.

In 1939, she graduated from the Chaffee School for Girls, Windsor, and that summer, worked in the Personnel department at the Ct. State Capitol.

On June 15, 1942, Nan became engaged to Lt. Frank W. Carmon, Jr., of the 88th Infantry Division, US Army. Nan and 1st Lt. Frank W. Carmon, Jr., were married on December 15, 1942.

In June, 1943, Nan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Connecticut College for Women in New London, Ct. with a BA degree in Economics and Sociology. While there, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and was named a Winthrop Scholar for her academic excellence.

In October, 1943, Capt. Frank Carmon, Jr., began a 2 year tour of duty where he was in combat in the Italian Campaign marching from Cassino to Brennar Pass. Nan worked during this time for the O.P.A., Federal Office of Price Administration. She held several offices in Eureka Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and is presently a 60+ year member. She continued her active involvement at the Church of Christ, Wilson and in the Century Club of Windsor.

In October, 1945, Major Frank W. Carmon, Jr., returned from overseas. He and Nan purchased the Mack house at 6 Poquonock Avenue and on February 6, 1946, opened the F.W. Carmon Funeral Home. Nan did the cleaning and the bookkeeping. They lived upstairs, over the funeral home for 46 years where they brought up 4 children, John, Bill (Frank III), Richard and Margie (D'Agata). In 1970, the F.W. Carmon Funeral Home became Carmon Funeral Homes, Inc.

During those years, Nan was active in many organizations. She was a volunteer driver for FISH (Friends in Service Here) driving elderly and handicapped to medical appointments. She is Past President of the Gray-Dickinson Unit #59, American Legion Auxiliary where she is currently a 60+ member and is Past President of the Black Point Women's Club in Niantic, Ct. She was an active member of many organizations at Trinity United Methodist Church, Windsor, among them, the Mom's Group and COGS (Couples Club).

On November 6, 1972, Frank W. Carmon, Jr., died at the age of 54. Nan has continued as an officer in the business, working full time in the office but preferring to stay in the background. The three brothers, John, Frank, III, and Richard, ran the business.

Nan continued to be active at Trinity United Methodist Church, Greater Hartford Christian Women's Club, and other community activities. At Trinity, she has represented, and led church groups to various major National events such as Explo '72 in Dallas, a week-long international convention sponsored by the Campus Crusade for Christ, attended by over 100,000 people. She was a counselor, prayer team chairman for Trinity and on the planning committee with former Pastor Garfield Thompson for the Billy Graham Southern New England Crusade in 1982. She has been and continues to serve on many of the boards and special committees of Trinity. She was a charter member of Trinity Christian School Board and a charter member of Trinity's Permanent Endowment Committee and has been and continues to be active on the church's visitation team, LRE. She recently retired after serving for several years as the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees. Additionally, she served for years the Greater Hartford Christian Women's Club as an area coordinator for 5 years for Friendship Bible Coffees.

Nan, also, was a contributing writer to the Windsor Storyteller publications. In volume I she wrote 2 stories; "Early Memories" and "Wonderful Memories of Windsor." In volume II, she wrote "Post WWII-Windsor Center and Starting a new business."

In 1994, Nan received an award from the Windsor Rotary Club for vocational excellence and as an Outstanding Community Business Person.


2005 - Vince Giuliano

2005 - Vince Giuliano
Mr. Giuliano has over 30 years of experience at all levels within ADVO, the largest full-service targeted direct mail, marketing services company in the United States. In concert with ADVO's Chairman and CEO, Mr. Giuliano is a highly visible strategist and spokesperson for ADVO and the direct mail trade in the government and postal arenas.
In 1985, Mr. Giuliano initiated ADVO's America's Looking For Its Missing Children program, a widely acclaimed public service campaign which places pictures of missing children on the company's direct mail address labels reaching up to 102 million households nationwide. The program has helped recover approximately one of every seven children featured and has received numerous awards.
Mr. Giuliano serves as Chairman on the Board of Directors for the Association for Postal Commerce, and holds seats on the Postal Policy and Postal Operations Committees. He is also a member of the Direct Marketing Association's Government Affairs Committee and the Mailer's Council. Additionally, Mr. Giuliano is a member of NCMEC's Board of Directors and Fund Development and Marketing Committees. He has served on numerous industry task forces and has testified before Congressional Committees on behalf of the direct mail industry. Mr. Giuliano is married and the father of twin girls and a son.

2004 Robert & Laurie St. Jacques

2004 Robert  & Laurie St. Jacques
Bob and Laurie moved to Windsor in 1995 after purchasing property that would be home to their family and their business, Four Seasons Landscaping, Inc. They have 3 children, Danielle, Andrew and Eileen who attend school here in Windsor, 2 at Sage Park Middle School and 1 at Oliver Ellsworth School. Bob graduated from the VOAG program at Suffield High School and Laurie graduated from Northwest Catholic High School and received her Associate Degree in Computer Science from Bay Path College in Massachusetts. Bob is founder and president of Four Seasons Landscaping, Inc., which is a landscape construction and management company that he began in 1980. Laurie is the office manager and an integral part of the operations of Four Seasons Landscaping, Inc. She recently formed St. Jacques Family Enterprises LLC, which is a company that specializes in services and products for the Landscape/Construction & Snow-Ice Management Industries. They are both actively involved in many professional organizations including serving on boards and committees. Bob and Laurie are also involved in various projects associated with the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, The Huntington House, First Town Downtown as well as Saint Gabriel Church. They are supporters of various local groups such as the Windsor Police Explorers, Windsor Independent Living Association and the Shad Derby. Laurie and Bob's philosophy is that everything you do for others you get back 10 fold in other ways.

2003 - Martha (Marty) Collier

Marty Collier earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Tri-State University in Angola, IN and her M.B.A through the Executive Program at University of Hartford. Professionally, she is associated with Colliers, Dow & Condon, a prominent brokerage firm in Hartford, where she sells and leases commercial real estate. Marty serves on a number of civic boards including the Bradley Development League, Celebrate Windsor! Inc., developer of SummerWind Performing Arts Theater, Huntington House Museum and the National Conference for Community and Justice. Marty is past president of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. She is married to Wells Lindsay; together they have four children.

2002 - Robert J. Gange


The Windsor Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce this year's recipient of the "Jerry Hallas Memorial Award", Robert J. Gange. Though not Windsor-born, Robert Gange wasted no time in getting here! After completing his M.S. in Orthodontics at Case Western Reserve University in 1973, he began his private practice, with offices in Windsor and Vernon. Gange, a board certified orthodontist, is also a clinical associate in the Department of Orthodontics at the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut and a member of the senior clinical staff in the orthodontic component of the general dental residency program at Hartford Hospital. Gange has had several articles published in the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics and is a regular lecturer at the annual Northeast Society of Orthodontics. His professional affiliations include membership in the American Dental Association, Connecticut Dental Association, Hartford Dental Association, Tolland County Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Northeastern Association of Orthodontists, Connecticut Association of Orthodontists and the College of Diplomats of the American Board of Orthodontists.

Dr. Gange's civic involvement has been extensive, as well as impressive. He has been the past president of the Windsor Jaycees and has received the Jaycee Man of the Year Award as well as the Key Man Award. He has twice chaired the Windsor Shad Derby and has been a member of the Windsor Youth Commission from its inception, serving as president for two years. His involvement with the Youth Commission on Drug and Tobacco Awareness Programs earned him the CASAC (Community Area Substance Abuse Council

2001 Sharon Dillon Rispoli & Kerry Ruiz

Sharon Dillon Rispoli

Sharon Dillon Rispoli has been a lifelong resident of Windsor. She has been married for nine years to her husband Robert who is an Attorney with Cummings & Lockwood in Hartford. They have two sons, Robert, age 2, and Dylan, age 9 months. She has been employed by Bart's Drive-In for 22 years and has been General Manager since 1987.
` Sharon has volunteered for the Friends of WILA for over 9 years, serving as President for 4 years. She was also on the Board of Directors of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce and has participated on many committees especially enjoying the Winter Magic Committee. Through her business Sharon has helped raise many thousands of dollars for Foodshare, Connecticut Children's Home, Special Olympics, American Red Cross, Mary's Place, Windsor Volunteer Ambulance, Touch of Loves AIDS Foundation, and has helped most of the Schools and sports teams in town. Bart's has Family Fun Nights every Friday night with dancing, face painting, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to a local school or organization. On weekends Bart's also holds car washes and concerts to benefit such organizations.
A donation in Sharon's honor will be made to the "Best Buddies" program at Windsor High School.


Kerry G. Ruiz

Kerry Ruiz was born on December 6, 1954 at McAndrew Air Force Base in St. Johns, Newfoundland Canada. Kerry traveled the U.S. with his father Master Sergeant Jose Ruiz, mother Bernyce, sisters Debbi, Cathy, Sherri, and one brother Joseph until they retired in Colchester. Kerry moved to Windsor in 1979 and now lives with his fianc e Carissa Fusco and daughter Taylor. Kerry opened Ashley's Distinctive Jewelry and Gifts in July 1989 on Day Hill Road with his partner Louis Della Vecchia, sister Cathy, and his friend and head jewelry designer Kurt Schumann. Through the store they are involved in supporting Windsor and its organizations. He has been an active Director on the Chamber Board since 1990, Past President 1994-1996, chaired the Winter Magic Committee for over ten years, started the Chamber Card Program, chaired the Retail Committee and has been President of the Shad Fest Bureau since 1996. He is a member of the Windsor Lodge Elks #2060 where he is youth Activities Chairman, organizes the Elks National Hoop Shoot, and Elks Soccer Shoot each year. He was on the All-American Soap Box Derby Committee and was a member of the Windsor Economic Development Committee 1994-1996. A member since 1990 of the Jewelers of America Kerry also belongs to the Connecticut Jewelers Association, and is a continuing student of the Gemological Institute of America. He is a communicant of St. Gabriel Church. Kerry is a strong advocate in supporting Windsor and its businesses and is committed to making Windsor a better place to live. A donation in Kerry's honor will be made to the Trinity Christian School Library Fund.



About the Hallas Award


In addition to his Chamber work, Mr. Hallas founded the Windsor News Weekly in 1944. While living over thirty years in Windsor, Mr. Hallas served as Executive Assistant and Press Secretary to both Governor Wilbert Snow and Governor Raymond Baldwin. In 1947, he was appointed state political commentator for WTIC radio. He handled public relations in Connecticut for the 1952 Eisenhower campaign and the 1956 campaign for former U.S. Senator, Prescott Bush. We salute and thank Mr. Hallas for his outstanding contribution. The Windsor Chamber of Commerce expresses its appreciation for the dedication of our Jerry Hallas Memorial Award recipients and the service they have provided to the Chamber and the Town of Windsor.

All Hallas Award Recipients

2012 Paula M. Pierce
2011 Martin McMahon
2010 Dr. Larry Pennington
2009 Robert Carroll
2008 Kathy Perlitz
2006 Nan C. Carmon
2007 Sharran Selig Bennett
2005 Vincent Guiliano
2004 Robert & Laurie St. Jacques
2003 Martha (Marty) Collier
2002 Robert J. Gange
2001 Sharon Dillon Rispoli and Kerry G. Ruiz
2000 Wilson M. Alford, Jr.
1999 John A. Wall
1998 William D. Chiodo
1997 Warren P. Johnson
1996 Michael D. Rabbett
1995 William J. Selig, Sr.
1994 John A. Coccomo. Sr.
1993 James J. Dillon, Jr. and Mark E. Griffin
1992 John C. Carmon
1991 Fred Newton
1990 Daniel J. Ferraina
1989 Ben D. Sasportas
1988 Willard E. Gombert
1987 Wilson M. Alford, Sr.
1986 William Dumais
1985 Barry Loucks and Stanley Loucks
1984 Gordon Brown, Jr.
1983 Paul Wabrek
1982 John Lombardi
1981 Daniel Leon
1980 William Nielsen and Emile Vezina
1979 Diane Kopcinski and Jack Benoit
1978 Roger Olsen
1977 Walter Whelan
1976 Frank Parker
Add Event

Events

First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
Open Classroom at the WAC Studios
Nov 24 at Windsor Train Station Studios
Bring Your Gadgets to the Geeks
Nov 26 at Windsor Public Library 323 Broad Street Windsor, CT
First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
Monthly Veteran's Coffee Hour
Nov 30 at L.P. Wilson
Tickborne Illness Support Group
Nov 30 at LP Wilson Community Center, 599 Matianuck Ave. Windsor
Open Classroom at the WAC Studios
Dec 1 at Windsor Train Station Studios
Bring Your Gadgets to the Geeks
Dec 3 at Windsor Public Library 323 Broad Street Windsor, CT
First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
Open Classroom at the WAC Studios
Dec 8 at Windsor Train Station Studios
Bring Your Gadgets to the Geeks
Dec 10 at Windsor Public Library 323 Broad Street Windsor, CT
Board of Directors Mtg
Dec 10 at online
First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
Tickborne Illness Support Group
Dec 14 at LP Wilson Community Center, 599 Matianuck Ave. Windsor
Open Classroom at the WAC Studios
Dec 15 at Windsor Train Station Studios
Programs Committee Mtg
Dec 16 at online
Bring Your Gadgets to the Geeks
Dec 17 at Windsor Public Library 323 Broad Street Windsor, CT
First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
Open Classroom at the WAC Studios
Nov 24 at Windsor Train Station Studios
Bring Your Gadgets to the Geeks
Nov 26 at Windsor Public Library 323 Broad Street Windsor, CT
First Town Chat
Fridays at 161 Broad Street, Windsor
Open Classroom at the WAC Studios
Nov 24 at Windsor Train Station Studios