EMPLOYMENT
John Cassata of Westerly recently joined Chelsea Groton Bank as a Mortgage Specialist. He is certified by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry. Cassata has over two decades of home lending experience, most recently as a senior loan officer at Savings Institute Bank and Trust in Pawcatuck. For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com.
Renee Simao of Stonington has been named Customer Solutions Manager of Chelsea Groton Bank’s Norwichtown branch. Cindy Harris, her predecessor, recently retired after 37 years. Simao previously worked for Berkshire Bank, most recently in branch administration and talent recruitment and training. She was named to the list of “40 Brightest Stars of Southern RI” by the Westerly/Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.chelseagroton.com.
WORKSHOPS
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT with presenters Suisman Shapiro will offer two Sexual Harassment Prevention Training sessions in January. These sessions meet new requirements around the Time’s Up Act for companies with three or more employees to provide two hours of training, or to provide training for anyone in a supervisory role. Visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113 to register for one of two sessions on Thursday, Jan. 16, 8:30-10:30 a.m. or Wednesday, Jan. 29, 3-5 p.m.
SCORE will host:
“The ABCs of a Business Plan and Understanding a SWOT Analysis,” Tuesday, Jan. 7, 5:30- 7 p.m., Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road.” Presenter is Economic Development Specialist Tanisha Baptiste of the Small Business Administration.
“Using Paid Advertising on Facebook,” Wednesday, Jan. 15, 5:30-7 p.m., East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic.
For more information contact Anne Driscoll at anne.driscoll@scorevolunteer.org.
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a Business Breakfast and Mini-Expo on The Business of Cannabis on Jan. 30, 7:30-10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Norwich. Speakers are Michelle Seagull, commissioner of the state Department of Consumer Protections, and Kay Doyle, commissioner of the Cannabis Control Commission of Massachusetts. Cost is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for nonmembers before Jan. 28, with an additional $5 after. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.
NETWORKING
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT joins Hoffman Audi in New London for a Business After Hours on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m. $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers before Jan. 6, with an additional $5 after. For more information, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT will host a Business Luncheon featuring U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney on Jan. 22, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Mystic Marriott, Groton. Cost to attend is $30 for Chamber members, $40 for nonmembers before Jan. 17, with an additional $5 after. For more information or to register, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT offers subscriptions for their Business After Hours series of networking events. Subscribers can attend all Business After Hours for $150 for the year, or choose packages of eight or four events for a savings. For more information about subscriptions, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.
The Young Professionals of Eastern CT offers an annual subscription to their networking events. The $65 subscription includes 12 YPsocials, a “Tips from the Top” CEO discussion program, and two coffee “Sip and Share” workshops. For learn more about YPECT, a program of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT or to subscribe, visit www.YPECT.com or call 860-701-9113.
HONORS
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT is accepting nominations for its 70th Citizen of the Year. Nominations are being accepted for a resident of eastern Connecticut who has made outstanding contributions to the civic and business community, including the economic vitality of the region. The deadline for nominations is Jan. 12. For more information on the annual award or to make a nomination, visit www.ChamberECT.com/events or call 860-701-9113.
GIVING
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union awarded $618,600 in annual $100 cash bonuses to its Gold Rewards members during December 2019, which is the largest amount since the program began a decade ago. Charter Oak started its Gold Rewards program in 2010 and over the past 10 years has paid out over $4 million. For more information, visit www.CharterOak.org or call 860-446-8085 or 800-962-3237.
MEMBERSHIP
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT welcomes its newest members: Bake Culture at Foxwoods; Cultured AF; Funway Bark; Grenier & Lender Tax and Accounting; Londregan Commercial Real Estate Group; The Simon Konover Company; Spring Brook Power Washing; Tractor Supply Company; and TGBC Business Consulting. Visit www.ChamberECT.com for a full Chamber member directory.
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