The Waterbury Regional Chamber Announced 2015 Malcolm Baldrige and Chamber Award Winners

The Waterbury Regional Chamber announced that Judge James L. Lawlor, Waterbury Housing Authority Chairman and retired probate court administrator for the State of Connecticut, is the honored recipient of the Chamber’s highly-prestigious 2015 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award. Donald C. McPartland, Esq., a partner with Secor, Cassidy & McPartland, is recipient of the Chamber’s 2015 Leadership Award, and Susan Burton, employment consultant with Connect-Ability-BRS, is recipient of the Chamber’s 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award. Awards will be presented at the 21st Annual Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards banquet Wednesday, October 7, 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. A major fundraiser for the not-for-profit Chamber, the event will include a silent auction and is being coordinated by co-chairs Jaci Carroll, CEO/founder of Jaci Carroll Staffing Services Inc., and Tim Bergstrom, Webster Bank Regional President.

One of Connecticut’s largest chambers, the Waterbury Regional Chamber has over 1,000 members. “We’re delighted to present the Malcolm Baldrige Community Award to Judge Lawlor in honor of his role as a notable area leader,” stated Lynn Ward, president and CEO. “This Award is given annually to a community leader in recognition of their commitment to the community exemplified by their vision and leadership in economic development and growth. Malcolm Baldrige believed in community, leadership and volunteerism, and for those qualities our staff selects individuals to receive the Chamber’s prestigious leadership and volunteer awards. Our staff awards individuals who exemplify the globally-recognized and honored global achievements of business and community leader, Malcolm Baldrige.”

A former Woodbury resident, Malcolm Baldrige guided Waterbury’s Scovill Manufacturing Company for over two decades. He was appointed President Ronald Regan’s Secretary of Commerce and implemented new laws to help American businesses grow. His accomplishments are chronicled in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide. His name is well-known throughout U.S. business arenas and Russia and China where he negotiated trade talks while in Regan’s cabinet. Nominees for the Chamber’s Malcolm Baldrige Award are considered for their community leadership, support of employment opportunities, enhancing overall economic growth and quality of life, and playing a leading role in initiating new business or development.

2015 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award recipient, Judge James Lawlor of Waterbury is nationally-recognized for streamlining the Connecticut Probate Court System and an aggressive advocate for expansion of services to children and needy recipients. He served as a probate court administrator since February 2002 after serving as a probate judge for twenty-five years for the Waterbury, Middlebury and Wolcott communities between 1978 and 2002. As a judge, he developed a database program to improve Waterbury Courts that the Probate Assembly adopted for all Connecticut courts. “Upon retirement, he began volunteering countless hours to lead the City’s Housing Authority to support economic development and quality of life,” stated Cathy Smith, the Chamber’s 2014 Malcolm Baldrige Community Award recipient. “As chairman, he reorganized and rejuvenated economic development by redesigning the organization’s structure, reducing overhead expenses and saving the City millions of dollars. In this position his impact on the community is unparalleled in taking on responsibilities regarding blighted housing, economic growth, and quality of life.” Judge Lawlor has been a board member of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce; Waterbury Association of Retarded Citizens; Easter Seals Association; Waterbury Exchange Club Family Life Foundation; incorporator and ambassador for Saint Mary’s Hospital; United Way Campership Committee past chair; Connecticut State Energy Advisory Board member; and St. Vincent DePaul Society Shelter volunteer. Currently he is on the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut Community Foundation and Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools.

Donald C. McPartland of Southington, recipient of the 2015 Waterbury Regional Chamber Leadership Award, is a partner with the Secor, Cassidy & McPartland law firm in Waterbury. He is an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the Association’s Litigation and Technology Committees; Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association; Waterbury Bar Association and is on the Association’s Board of Directors. In 2001, he graduated from the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Leadership Greater Waterbury Program and mentors new participants. Currently he is the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee Chairman; member of the Chamber’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors; Board of Directors for Main Street Waterbury and Holy Land USA; member of Lions Club International; curriculum consultant for Post University’s online legal studies course; Post University’s Editorial Board of Directors for its’ online academic journal, Digital Life and Learning, and the publication’s designer and technology manager. “Don is a visible supporter of public policy events statewide. As the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee Representative each year he attends numerous related events outside the Chamber including testifying at the state capitol regarding ongoing legislation,” stated Ward. “Every year he speaks with new Chamber members and describes how to become involved.”

Susan Burton of Litchfield, recipient of the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s 2015 Volunteer Award, has been a notable supporter of the Chamber over the past three years. She is a member of the Malcolm Baldrige and Watertown Oakville Annual Meeting Silent Auction Committees, and was a volunteer ambassador for two years. Ward commented, “Susan is a faithful volunteer to the Chamber’s annual Membership Campaign and recruited over 35 new members. She is also an active member of the Chamber’s Membership Advisory Council and the Watertown Oakville Chamber Board of Directors. In 2014 she was named Ambassador of the Year and is recognized as a dependable, willing and highly-devoted Chamber member.”

The Waterbury Regional Chamber is seeking sponsors and silent auction donations for the October 7th dinner. Reservations can be made by visiting www.waterburychamber.com, calling 203-757-0701 or via email to info@waterburychamber.com.