Fairfield Rotary Club To Honor Local Pillars Of The Community

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Rotary Club announced the recipients of its 2026 Pillars of the Community awards, which recognize local residents for service and contributions to the community.

This year’s honorees are John Calandriello, a lieutenant with the Fairfield Fire Department; Bill Jennings of Hartford HealthCare; community members Alan Neigher and Sylvia Neigher; and Brian Markham of the Fairfield Red Storm.

The awards recognize individuals who reflect Rotary’s “Service Above Self” motto through their work and community involvement.

Honorees will be recognized during the Pillars Awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road in Fairfield. The ticketed event is open to the public.

Tickets and additional information are available through the Fairfield Rotary Club website.

The club said the event provides an opportunity to recognize the work and commitment of local residents and bring community members together.

The Fairfield Rotary Club has served the community for more than 80 years. Since 1990, the organization says it has provided more than $500,000 in grants and donations to local nonprofits and has supported area high school seniors through scholarships. The club also said it is seeking new members interested in community service.

From the announcement:

Lieutenant John Calandriello: A 30-year veteran of the Fairfield Fire Department, Lieutenant Calandriello has distinguished himself through decades of service both in uniform — earning numerous medals and citations across specialized roles in hazardous materials, rescue, and aviation — and as a tireless community leader. As Race Director of the Fairfield Road Races, he has helped grow the event into a nationally recognized competition that has raised over $5 million for local charities, while also serving as a youth coach, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, and longtime President of the Fairfield Firefighters Benevolent Fund.

Bill Jennings: With over 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, Mr. Jennings has served as President of Hartford HealthCare's Fairfield Region since 2021, championing the health and wellbeing of the communities he serves. Beyond the hospital, he contributes broadly to civic life through board service with the Connecticut Hospital Association, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, and Sacred Heart University's Community Theater, among others.

Alan and Sylvia Neigher: Sylvia and Alan have been pillars of Fairfield's cultural and civic landscape for decades, from co-sponsoring the beloved Jazz Fridays at the Fairfield Museum to
Sylvia's leadership on the Town of Fairfield Holocaust Committee and Alan's foundational role in launching the Fairfield Theatre Company in 2004. Their combined service across institutions including Temple B'nai Israel, the Fairfield Museum, and the March of Dimes reflects a shared and enduring commitment to community enrichment.

Coach Brian Markham: A Fairfield resident for 26 years and proud community coach, Brian has dedicated himself to building meaningful connections through athletics — most notably since 2015 as a volunteer coach for the Fairfield American Little League Challenger Division. His lifelong commitment to youth sports and inclusive programming has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless Fairfield families.