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New Officers
The newly elected officers of the Putnam Business Association include, left to right: Treasurer Brandy Hapgood, Secretary Romeo Blackmar, President Jeff Rawson and Past President Karen Osbrey. Courtesy photo.
Special to the Putnam Town Crier
PUTNAM — The Putnam Business Association, embarking on its fifth year, elected Jeffrey Rawson of Rawson Materials as its president for the upcoming year. Rawson, who is active in numerous community organizations, succeeds Karen Osbrey who has served as president of the PBA for the past two years.
Serving with Rawson are vice president, Sean Condon of Glimpse of Gaia; secretary, Romeo Blackmar of Putnam P.R.I.D.E.; and treasurer, Brandy Hapgood of Putnam Bank. Dan Goyette of Putnam Ford and Ron Coderre of RPC Associates have been appointed to serve as directors. Andrew Morrison, PBA coordinator, will continue in that capacity.
Rawson, a lifelong resident of Putnam, is a graduate of Assumption College in Worcester, where he is a member of the President’s Council. He’s a member of the Putnam Rotary Club, serves as a director of the Northeast Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and Arc of Quinebaug Valley. Along with his parents, Allan and Kathy Rawson and his wife, Jessica, he is a founding member of Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW) an organization focused on providing recreational and team-oriented sports to kids regardless of financial ability.
“I’m honored to have been asked to serve the PBA as its third president. We’ve come a long way in the brief four years of our existence. My goal is to continue the growth and progress we’ve witnessed since our inception,” said Rawson.
In an exclusive interview with the Putnam Town Crier, Rawson indicated that he will put a concerted effort into continuing the membership growth of the PBA. Currently the organization boasts more than 125 members. He will also focus on solidifying the finances of the PBA through organizing special events to raise monies that can support the many activities of the association and the community.
“By putting the PBA on a solid financial footing we’ll be able to market Putnam to other areas of the state and New England. We have so many good things going on in Putnam; we can’t sit back on our laurels. We must continue to forge forward,” said Rawson.
Since it became an official organization in 2009 the Putnam Business Association has had two presidents. Ronald P. Coderre served two years as its first president. He was followed by Karen Osbrey, who also served for two years.
The mission of the PBA is to promote Putnam as a destination aimed at improving the overall business climate of the entire community. It is also geared to working hand-in-hand with the various arms of the Putnam government including the Mayor’s office, the Special Services District and the Putnam Police Department.