South Windsor Chamber Names Cummings Business Person of the Year

Harold "Hal" Cummings has been named the 2012 South Windsor Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.

Cummings has not only been active with the South Windsor chamber over the years in legal and business capacities, but is also the town attorney in Vernon and chairman of Vernon's Republican Town Committee. 

Cummings is a lawyer and partner in the firm of Cummings, Lanza, and Purnhagen LLC, which has offices in a historic building at 1610 Ellington Road in South Windsor. He was selected to receive the Business Person of the Year honor by acclamation.

Cummings has been the chamber’s pro bono legal counsel since he became a member of the organization in 1978 and he served on its board of directors for 16 years.

He also authored the Chamber’s original by-laws.

Cummings had a distinguished and decorated career in the U.S. Army. He was on active duty in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He was transferred to Retired Reserve in 1993 after 25 years of service, having achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal and two National Defense Service Medals (for Vietnam and service in the Persian Gulf).

Cummings had has been a member of the Vernon Conservation Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Education, the South Windsor Jaycees and a director of the Hockanum Valley Day Care Center. He was the chairman of the Vernon Charter Revision Commission, served as moderator of the First Congregational Church in Vernon and served as the South Windsor Rotary Club president.

He is general counsel and is a director of the South Windsor Land Conservation Trust. He is a member of the VFW Major Donnelly Post in South Windsor, the Rockville Lodge B.P.O.E, and of the American Legion Post 14 in Vernon. He is also a pro bono lawyer for many houses of worship.

Cummings is a South Windsor native and a graduate of South Windsor High School. He has a bachelor's degree from Trinity College, a law degree from Georgetown University and he is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He is admitted to the practice of law in Connecticut and in the Federal courts and is a member of numerous law committees and associations, including the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.

Cummings has been married to his wife, Isabel, since 1969, and they have three children, Jay, Joel and Justin. They reside in Vernon.

The South Windsor Chamber is scheduled to present Cummings with his award during the annual Dinner Meeting and Business Person of the Year Award Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27, at Maneeley’s Banquet Facility and Catering, 65 Rye St., South Windsor. The event is slated top run from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets to the event are $50 per person in advance or $60 at the door. The chamber asks that all RSVPs be made by Sept. 20.

For more information, call the chamber office at 860-644-9442.