Waterbury Regional Chamber Announces Malcolm Baldrige Award Winner, and Winners of Chamber's Leadership and Volunteer Awards

Ralph Carpinella, owner and chairman of Carpin Manufacturing Inc. on Austin Road in Waterbury, has been named the recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s 2016 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award.

Attorney Tavis Tindall, of the Waterbury-based Tindall Law Firm, will receive the Chamber’s 2016 Leadership Award, and Susan Sprano, advertising director for the Republican-American, will receive the Chamber’s 2016 Volunteer of the Year award.

The three awards will be presented during the 22nd Annual Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards Dinner on Wednesday, September 28, 2016, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in the Plantsville section of Southington. The evening, which will include a silent auction, is a major fundraiser for the not-for-profit Waterbury Regional Chamber and benefits the Chamber’s economic development efforts.

Nominees for the Malcolm Baldrige Community Award are considered for their community leadership, for their role in supporting employment opportunities, for enhancing the overall economic growth and quality of life in the region, and for playing a leading role in initiating new business or development.

This year’s Malcolm Baldrige Award honoree, Ralph Carpinella of Woodbury has been involved in manufacturing, business and economic development in Greater Waterbury for decades. He and his father, Henry Carpinella, co-founded Carpin Manufacturing in 1984. The company provides quality products and services to the office and school furniture industries. Ralph also was president of Better Formed Metals, and later held the same title at Plastiglide Manufacturing Corp.

For nearly four decades, he has also developed numerous industrial buildings and revitalized older ones in Greater Waterbury, including several in downtown Waterbury. He also helped to develop part of the Captain Neville Industrial Park. In addition he has served as a mentor to many business executives in the region. He has also served on the City of Waterbury Regional Oversight Board; as a director of the Naugatuck Valley Industrial Council, and of the Chamber; is a former board member of the Palace Theater; a former trustee and director of Post University; and currently serves on the Committee for Saint Mary’s School.

Lynn Ward, Chamber president and CEO, said Malcolm Baldrige also believed in community, leadership and volunteerism, and for those qualities the Chamber staff selects individuals to receive leadership and volunteer awards for their efforts on behalf of the Chamber. “The Chamber staff awards individual members we believe exemplify the globally recognized and honored worldwide achievements of business and community leader, Malcolm Baldrige,” Ward said.

Tavis O. Tindall, of Southington, recipient of the 2016 Waterbury Regional Chamber Leadership Award, is the founder of the Tindall Law Firm, LLC, on Holmes Avenue in Waterbury. He is a member of the Chamber’s board of directors, co-chairs a Chamber Business Connections Group, serves as a Chamber Ambassador, and supports the Chamber’s efforts to grow its membership. He was previously honored by the Chamber, receiving the Harold Webster Smith Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2014 for his work as co-founder of the Home to Home Foundation Inc., and for sponsoring a mentoring program for at-risk youths with The Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury. “Tavis has been a tremendous asset to the Chamber for years, and he is a strong supporter of and advocate for our mission to serve our member businesses,” Ward said.

Susan Sprano, of Thomaston, recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s 2016 Volunteer Award, has been an active and hard-working volunteer for the Chamber for many years. She is a member of the Business Women’s Forum Board of Directors, served on the committee that organized Chamberopoly, the Chamber’s 125th anniversary celebration, has been a regular volunteer for the Chamber’s Annual Membership Campaign. She also has helped the Chamber publicize its numerous events. “Sue has stepped up to take on a number of challenges on behalf of the Chamber, and we are grateful for her selfless efforts on our behalf,” Ward said.

One of the largest chambers in Connecticut, the Waterbury Regional Chamber (www.waterburychamber.com) has nearly 1,000 member businesses.

The Chamber is seeking sponsors and silent auction donations for the September 28th event. Reservations can be made by visiting www.waterburychamber.com, calling the Chamber at 203-757-0701, or via email to info@waterburychamber.com.