Leslie Hammond appointed head of SECT Women's Network

Leslie Hammond, project manager for the Mystic River Building Co., has been named president of the Southeastern Connecticut Women's Network for 2012-13.

In addition, the organization named Chris Lautz as Woman of the Year for 2012 and Susan Dombrowski as winner of the 15th Heron Award.

Hammond, a New London resident, will be stepping up to her new duties as the organization moves forward to theme of "building community" over the next year.

Hammond, who has been on the network's board for the past two years, said she will be focusing on enhancing members' experience through the development of a mentoring program and by paying attention to the organization's networking and programming.

Lautz, named Woman of the Year, won recognition for her leadership and contributions to the network, including service as a past president and initiatives to create a board manual, redesign the group's website and hold creative fundraisers.

Dombrowski won her award as recognition for her "interpersonal dynamics, energized patience and effectiveness as both a member and a board member."

Board officers for the upcoming year are: Dombrowski, vice president; Deb McGrath, secretary, and Patti Rodgers-Longo, treasurer.

Board members voted in for the coming year or more are Gail Weber, Emma Palzere-Rae, Shannon Mack, Pam Atkins, Carol Burgess, Stacey Jiminez, Phyllis Nelson, Kathy Pooler and Francine Schwartz. Other still-active board members are immediate past president Denise Nott, Judy Ricketts-White, Susan Epstein, Raylene Taskowski and Marilyn Dayton.

For information, visit www.sectwomensnetwork.org.

l.howard@theday.com