United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut Announces New Members of Its Board of Directors

Tom Barnes 

Tom Barnes is Board Chairman at Barnes Aerospace Foundation. A Bristol resident and fifth-generation member of the Barnes family who helped lead the family business, Barnes is a champion of community development and a fearless advocate for community impact. Barnes, who officially began his first three-year term on United Way’s Board in January, is filling a recently vacated position on the Board.

Subscribe

The following members joined the organization’s Board of Directors effective April 1, 2026.

Hank Guerrero

Hank Guerrero is President and General Manager at NBC and Telemundo Connecticut. Guerrero, a long-time West Hartford resident, has been leading the strategic operations of both stations since 2023. Hank brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in the media industry to United Way’s Board of Directors, and a desire to make the 860 region a better place for all.

Austin G. Provost

Austin G. Provost is a partner at Robinson & Cole LLP. Austin is an experienced real estate attorney known for pragmatic, business-oriented counsel on complex transactions. Provost was selected as a Rising Star to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list in 2023 and 2025, and joins United Way’s Board of Directors for the organization’s profound impact in helping residents secure stable housing, earn sustainable wages, and advance child literacy so every child can thrive in school and beyond.

Brian Zelman 

Brian Zelman is Principal at Zelman Real Estate. Zelman, recognized as one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2024 Power 25 Real Estate, is an experienced developer conscious of the lifelong impact that developments have in their communities. As a Bloomfield native and current West Harford resident, Brian designs projects that fit the greater community.

Zelman is also a founding member of the Building Foundations Breakfast event, which is hosted annually by the commercial real estate and building industry in Greater Hartford in partnership with United Way to raise awareness and funds to address and prevent homelessness. Since 2021, the event has raised more than $2.5 million and counting, and has helped more than 2,560 people stay in stable housing. 

Laura Zucker

Laura Zucker is a Senior Manager at Accenture and holds a Master’s Degree in industrial/organizational psychology from New York University. A Glastonbury resident, Zucker is passionate about literacy and believes that supporting United Way’s work means investing in a stronger, more equitable future for our region.

###