New Haven Leaders to be Inducted into Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame on May 7

Three of Connecticut’s notable leaders will be inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and a leading corporate citizen will be honored on Wednesday, May 7, 2014, at the 34th annual Induction Ceremony and Dinner, to be held at the New Haven Lawn Club. The annual event recognizes business and community leaders who have made significant contributions to the prosperity and quality of life in the Greater New Haven region and Connecticut.

The individuals being honored with induction into the Business Hall of Fame are:

• Howard K. Hill, Founder, Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
• Hugh I. Manke, Partner, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.
• David I. Newton, President, Elm Advisors, LLC

In addition to the Hall of Fame Laureates, Junior Achievement will honor First Niagara in recognition of its outstanding contributions to education and the region with the Corporate Award.

“They have each established a standard of excellence that reflects their commitment to community and determination to improve individual lives in meaningful and enduring ways,” said Louis J. Golden, President of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England.  “We are pleased to honor their work and their example, and the leadership of an exemplary corporation, as we encourage, empower and inspire young people to pursue their dreams and realize their potential.”

Howard K. Hill founded the Howard K. Hill Funeral Services in New Haven in 2004 and in May 2012 acquired Clark Bell & Bell Funeral Home in Hartford.  His dedication and commitment to the community has been recognized by many churches, civic, and professional organizations, and his business has been recognized by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) for its commitment to providing outstanding services to the families and communities they serve, dedicated to the highest professional and ethical standards.  He serves as a liaison to other small businesses and encourages networking, and is a leading advocate for higher education and addressing health disparities that plague the community that he serves.

Hugh I. Manke is a senior principal in the New Haven office of Updike, Kelly & Spellacy and has represented municipalities in land use and other matters as well as developers pursuing zoning and environmental permits. His experience includes pursuing permits at the administrative level and in the courts.   He is a long-time member and past President of the Connecticut Association of Municipal Attorneys and a frequent speaker on issues of municipal law, land use and property tax appeals. His leadership in the community has also included service as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, on the Executive Committee of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, and as a member of the New Haven Regional Leadership Council.

David I. Newton is currently President of Elm Advisors, LLC, which he founded in September 2007. Elm Advisors provide consulting services to not-for-profit institutions focused on real estate development, property acquisition and leasing, as well as on facilities management and capital improvement strategies.  He previously served as the Associate Vice President and Director of University Properties at Yale University, where his responsibilities included development and acquisition strategy, property management, retail leasing, and capital improvements.  He has served on a variety of not for profit boards in New Haven including the Hospital of St. Raphael, the Arts Council, International Festival of Arts and Ideas, and the New Haven Road Race and as a Trustee of the Hopkins School. He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Greater New; Trustee and member of the Executive Committee, Long Wharf Theatre; member of the Board of Directors of the Elm Shakespeare Co, Project Access and the Connecticut Health Foundation.

David V. Ring, New England Region President for First Niagara Bank will accept the Corporate Award on behalf of the bank. First Niagara is being recognized for their commitment to youth and education in the greater New Haven community.  In 2013, the company contributed more than $4 million in community support in Connecticut, with more than 80% of that money earmarked for organizations and initiatives that focus on youth and improving their education.

“Corporate citizenship is in our DNA at First Niagara” said Ring.  “We pride ourselves on our commitment to support educational initiatives in the communities where we do business, and it is gratifying to be recognized by Junior Achievement for the impact we are making.”   

As part of its commitment to youth and education, First Niagara has long partnered with Junior Achievement across the bank’s four-state region.  Just this month, First Niagara volunteers led 15 classes in JA in A Day programs at Forest Elementary School in New Haven on May 2, and additional volunteers will be leading - 10 classes at Hartford’s Parkville Elementary School on May 9.  First Niagara has also provided financial support for the two JA in A Day programs. 

First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 410 branches, $38 billion in assets, $27 billion in deposits, and approximately 5,800 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Junior Achievement is the global leader in providing cutting-edge, hands-on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work-readiness education.  JA helps empower young people to own their future economic success. The Business Hall of Fame has inducted more than 130 individuals for their business achievements and contributions to the community during  the past three decades.

The support of leading local businesses is indispensable in furthering JA’s work with local schools throughout the region.  The dinner sponsor for the Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Alexion.  Platinum Sponsors include Bank of America, McGladrey, and Webster Bank.  The program committee included Chairman William H. Creaser, Kelly Wade Bettuchi, and Thomas R. Candrick. All net proceeds will benefit JA educational programs. 

JA's unique delivery system provides the training, materials, and support necessary to enable volunteers to build student skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.   The number of students and schools - from kindergarten through 12th grade - participating in JA programs has increased during the past year, reflecting increasing awareness of the importance of these skills. 

JA volunteers come from all walks of life and use their personal experiences to make the JA curricula practical and realistic. Providing children with positive adult role models, who illustrate ways to build self-confidence, develop skills and find avenues of success in our economic system, is a hallmark of JA.

The number of students reached by JA of Southwest New England programs has increased by 53 percent during the past decade, from just under 23,000 in 2003 to 35,000 in 2013.  JA of Southwest New England, through its volunteers, delivers programs to more than 165 schools throughout Connecticut in New Haven, Hartford, New London, Litchfield, Middlesex, Tolland and Windham counties.  For information on sponsorship opportunities or to attend, please contact Mary Jane Lund, JA’s vice president of special events, at 860-525-4510 or mjlund@jaconn.org.