Naugatuck Chamber Announces Recipient of 2019 Dibble Award

NAUGATUCK — The Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce will present its 2019 Lewis A. Dibble Sr. Award in January to Marcelo R. Martins, owner of Luso Cleaning Services LLC.

The award, presented annually by the Chamber, recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions to business and the socioeconomic well-being of Naugatuck. Martins will receive the award during the Chamber’s 98th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, at the Crystal Room, 98 School St. in Naugatuck. The meeting will begin with cocktails at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the awards program at 6:30.

In addition to honoring Martins, the Chamber also will celebrate the success of its 2019 programs and acknowledge members of its board of directors.

Over the past four decades, this annual dinner and presentation of the Dibble Award has grown into one of the most prestigious business events in the borough.

Lewis A. Dibble Sr. founded the Naugatuck Chamber in 1921, and since 1976 the Chamber has honored his leadership by recognizing a key leader in the local community. Past recipients include Kathleen A. McPadden of Ion Bank; Naugatuck Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess; Naugatuck Economic Development Corp. CEO Ronald Pugliese; Laurie Yelding of printing company Yelding Inc., and Rebecca Zandvliet of Coldwell Banker 2000.

Martins, a Naugatuck native, started Luso Cleaning Service in 1990 with his father, Manuel. Since then, he has been deeply involved in numerous community efforts in the borough.

"Marcelo is a tremendous asset to the Naugatuck business community," said Dawn Derwin, executive vice president and chief retail delivery officer for Ion Bank and chairwoman of the Naugatuck Chamber. "He gives generously and enthusiastically of his time and resources to so many organizations, and is someone who doesn’t know the meaning of the words, 'we can’t.' He approaches everything with uplifting positivity and a belief at his core that together we can make it happen."

Martins joined the Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce board of directors as the first board he served on after founding Luso Cleaning, and has supported Chamber events throughout the years. That includes serving on the Chamber’s first Naugatuck Duck Race committee, helping to create the inaugural event that will celebrate its 15th year in 2020.

Martins also has worked with the United Way of Naugatuck & Beacon Falls since 1999, including serving as secretary, vice president and president of its board of directors and, this year, chairing its annual fundraising campaign. He also has received the organization’s Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award for six consecutive years, as well as its Mary H. Connolly Community Caring Award and the Van Allen Medal, honoring those who exhibit extraordinary community service.

Martins has been a member of the Naugatuck Rotary Club since 2000, serving that organization as secretary, vice president and president. He served on its board of directors from 2004-09 and rejoined in 2012. He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, and has received the Naugatuck Rotary’s Service Above Self Award, Service Award, and Vocational Service Leadership Award.

He also has served in leadership positions with the Naugatuck YMCA, and received its Frederick D. Zonino Memorial Volunteer Award, as well as on the board of the American Red Cross.

In 2015, he received the Franklin Johnson Sr. Citizenship Award, presented by the borough.

Martins is also a corporator for Ion Bank; a community sponsor of the Naugatuck Economic Development Corp.; a member of the Uniao Portuguese Club, and supports the Ecumenical Food Bank Inc. in Naugatuck.

A Naugatuck resident, he has two children, Michael and Jennifer.

Support for the Naugatuck Chamber’s 98th Annual Meeting & 2019 Lewis A. Dibble Sr. Award Dinner is provided by Executive Sponsors Ion Bank, the Law Office of Fred Dlugokecki, and Luso Cleaning Service, and Silver Sponsor Alderson-Ford Funeral Homes Inc.

The cost to attend the event is $85/person. To register, visit www.naugatuckchamber.com or call 203-729-4511.