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The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce announced the 2023 annual award recipients. They were recognized at the Chamber’s Awards Gala in May.
This year’s recipients include: Business Leader of the Year Award – David Wollner, owner of Willimantic Brewing Company, Civic Achievement Award – Jennifer Brytowski of Putnam, George J. Racine, Sr. Humanitarian Award – Laura Moorehead of Putnam, Community Champion Award – Dr. Michael Baum of Pomfret and the Gold Key Award – Sheila Frost of Brooklyn.
The Business Leader of the Year Award is presented to an individual for outstanding business leadership and active participation in community organizations. The committee’s selection is David Wollner, owner of The Willimantic Brewing Company. David founded his restaurant in 1991 as Main Street Café and moved it into the abandoned former Post Office building, making extensive renovations. It was then known as the Willimantic Brewing Company. Nominators noted Wollner is generous with his time and talent, helping many fund-raisers and is a mentor to “…many of the fundraisers that happen in Windham are those entrepreneurs working to open their own brewery and restaurants.
The Chamber’s Civic Achievement Award is an award given to an individual for their broad-based involvement with clubs, civic groups, charities etc. This year’s recipient is Jennifer Brytowski of Putnam. For more than a decade Jennifer Brytowski has been the “very humble face” of many of the community events that have welcomed thousands of visitors to downtown Putnam. Brytowski has been the creative and moving force behind the Putnam Business Association’s (PBA) Putnam Zombie Fashion Show; is involved with the Fire & Ice Festival and more. She helped elevate the Christmas holiday decorations in Putnam including the snowflake lights, “Santa over Cargill Falls”, and the giant Christmas ornament that serves as a beautiful photo opportunity for families or visitors to Putnam. In addition, Jen has been involved with the Savor the Flavor event, the repainting of the iconic Coca-Cola mural and the “Discover Putnam” social media blitz. Ms. Brytowski is also an active member of the Putnam Rotary Club and has been involved with the 100th anniversary celebration of the club, the Holiday Dazzle Light Parade, the Rotary Fishing Derby and the Rotary Rose Sale. She was recognized and honored for her service to Rotary with the prestigious Paul Harris Award. In addition to her service to the PBA, Jen works a full-time job as a marketing and sales specialist at Chase Graphics and owns her own design business, Jennerate, LLC.
The George J. Racine, Sr. Humanitarian Award is presented to a person in recognition of their dedicated involvement with a cause or activity; that which promotes concern for human welfare. The Chamber’s selection is Laura Moorehead. Moorehead is being recognized for her dedication and passion in empowering women and children throughout our region. While Laura has been involved with a variety of organizations, she spearheaded work with a local women and girls fund. Laura successfully recruited a number of women leaders to serve on a steering committee with a mission to raise funds and in turn award grants to organizations that help women and girls pursue positive, productive lives for themselves and their families. She served as a guiding beacon for the group and donated her time and resources and helped to direct the organization and organized several fund-raising efforts. Many local organizations have received grants. Since the organization’s inception, more than 64 grants totaling $138,085 was awarded. In 2022, $22,000 was awarded to local organizations.
The Chamber’s Community Champion Award is presented to an individual that has made a substantive, yet unrecognized, contribution to our community. The award recognizes an individual who has influenced our community from behind the scenes with a positive attitude, a willingness to help in a variety of capacities and a commitment to excellence. This year’s recipient is Dr. Michael Baum of Pomfret. Dr. Baum has been a member of the Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) staff since 1990. Over and above his role as surgeon, Dr. Baum has served on many committees within the hospital system. He served as the Vice President of the DKH Medical Staff from 2014-2016 and served as President from 2016 to 2022. In 2005, he joined the DKH Board of Directors and completed his first term in 2013. In 2015 he accepted a second term on the Board, a position he holds today. Aside from his service and commitment to DKH, Dr. Baum has served on the Town of Pomfret Board of Finance (2007-2019), and the Windham County Medical Society (1990-2014) where he held the positions as vice president and president.
In 2019, Dr. Baum was awarded the Unsung Hero Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication, service and leadership to the Day Kimball Healthcare Oncology program. In 2021 and 2022, Baum was named to Connecticut Magazine’s list of Top Docs and has met the physician led Castle Connolly review process standards for at least 5 years. The Top Docs are nominated by their peers and vetted to meet the criteria to earn the designation.
The Chamber’s Gold Key Award is presented to an individual or business for their outstanding service to the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. This year’s recipient is Sheila Frost of Brooklyn. Sheila has been an enormous supporter of the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce since first joining the organization in 1998 when Sheila and her husband, James, opened their business In 2016, Sheila joined the Board of Directors and immersed herself in pivotal roles on several committees including Tastefully New England where she served as Chairperson for several years, Taste of the Towns, Denim & Diamonds and Executive Committee. Frost’s leadership skills quickly found her in the officer’s chairs and in 2022 she served as president of the organization. During her tenure as president, the organization set new records when it hosted 34 ribbon cuttings and welcomed 49 new Chamber members to the organization.
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