Raymond J. Currier has been named the new president and chief executive officer of Norwich-based CorePlus Federal Credit Union. Currier replaces Nicholas K. Fortson, who will be retiring after nine years as president and CEO.

Currier has been with CorePlus since 2005 and has close to 30 years of experience in the credit union industry.

“We are extremely pleased that after performing our due diligence to find the most suitable leader, our own Ray Currier emerged as the best candidate to take the reins and carry on Nicholas Fortson’s legacy,” said CPCU Board of Directors Chair Jean Swift in a release.

“I am excited to lead our talented team in continuing to bring exceptional service and innovation to our membership,” Currier said in a release.

Fortson’s retirement, effective Dec. 31, was announced in January 2023. In honor of Fortson’s leadership, the board has approved a gift of $5,000 to the Otis Library to fund a multi-lingual financial literacy program and $5,000 for the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, where Fortson is also a board member.

CorePlus was founded in 1936 as the Norwich Connecticut Teachers Federal Credit Union. CPCU has more than 28,000 members, $332 million in assets, and seven full-service branches in Norwich, East Lyme, Waterford, Groton, Pawcatuck, Plainfield and Foxwoods. For information, call 860-886-0576 or visit https://www.coreplus.org/.

People & Places

Michael Alberts, president and CEO of Jewett City Savings Bank, has announced that the bank foundation awarded a grant to the Aspinock Historical Society.

The Aspinock Historical Society was established in 1972 by Putnam residents to conserve the town's local and regional history. The donation will help the historical society replace the railroad ties under the Gertrude Chandler Warner Boxcar Children Museum in Putnam.

Real estate developer Carter Winstanley, principal of Winstanley Enterprises, has been named to the board of directors of BioCT. In New Haven alone, Winstanley has played a pivotal role in acquiring and redeveloping nearly 3.5 million square feet of commercial real estate, transforming the city into a cornerstone of Connecticut's life sciences industry.

In addition, he played a significant role in the creation and expansion of the BioPath Skills Academy in New Haven, a partnership among the life science industry, the City of New Haven, and Southern Connecticut State University aimed at promoting life science education through academic and experiential learning programs.

Winstanley plans to attend BioCT's annual networking event at Stony Creek Brewery from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 (https://bioct.org/). The organization recently announced an upcoming move into the new 101 College building in New Haven by February, where it hopes to have more space for collaboration and programming.

Capt. Brian L. Holmes assumed command of USS Boxer from Capt. Matthew W. Cieslukowski, a native of Norwich, during a ceremony at sea in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 7.

After serving as Boxer’s executive officer for a year and a half, Cieslukowski assumed command of Boxer in August 2022, and will go on to serve at U.S. Strategic Command as battle watch captain. As commanding officer, Cieslukowski led Boxer back to sea for Type Commander Sea Trials and Basic Phase events where the ship’s crew tested critical systems and operations.

Visitors to Gillette Castle State Park are taking advantage of a new hydration station installed earlier this year in the park’s Visitor Center.

The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, under president Lynn Wilkinson, executed the installation under the oversight of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Funds to purchase and install the station were made available through a donation by Reynolds' Subaru of Lyme, in connection with its “Subaru Loves the Earth” campaign. The water station has already saved over 2,500 plastic bottles from entering the environment.

Chamber News

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a business breakfast with the Rose City BNI from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Holiday Inn Norwich, 10 Laura Blvd.

The Rose City BNI will share a little information about its organization, which not only helps its members increase their business, but also is planning community activities in the future.

Business Network International is the world's largest professional business networking organization. The Rose City Chapter was founded in Norwich in April 2007, and has since grown to become the largest and fastest-growing chapter in the state.

GNACC will hold a seminar, “Essential Skills for Supervisors: Onboarding Training” from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce headquarters, 187 Main St., Norwich.

GNACC Member Services Committee and Boss Consulting HR, owned by Dana Dowdell, host the seminar for anyone in a role involving human resources, managment, operations or business owners.

There is no charge for GNACC members but register in advance at www.norwichchamber.com.

Awards

The U.S. Small Business Administration Connecticut District Office has officially launched the call for nominations for the 2024 National and District Small Business Week Awards, including the Small Business Person of the Year Award.

Information about eligibility and how to submit a nomination can be found on the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/nsbw. Categories include:

Small Business Person of the Year (National and District)

Small Business Exporter (National and District)

Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year

Manufacturer of the Year

Microenterprise of the Year

Minority Small Business of the Year

Veteran Small Business of the Year

Women in Business of the Year

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

All nominations must be received via electronic submission no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Contact Sheri Cote at Sheri.Cote@sba.gov or 202-445-6709 for information.

Training & Employment

Ocean State Job Lot has announced its inclusion as one of the Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces. It was ranked No. 47 in The Inspiring Workplaces Group’s inaugural Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces list, which comprises organizations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

The companies that earned distinction as Inspiring Workplaces were evaluated in six main categories: Culture and Purpose; Leadership; Wellbeing; Inclusion; Communication; and Experience. Ocean State Job Lot joins a host of well-known brands on the list including Anheuser-Busch, Experian, and Verizon.

Career programs and courses will be held this fall at CT State Quinebaug Valley in Danielson and CT State Three Rivers in Norwich. Students can enhance their skills or train for a new career with a variety of health, manufacturing and technology courses and programs on the campuses.

Tuition scholarships are available to eligible students through a variety of community partners. Tuition assistance may also be available for veterans, SNAP recipients, and those who are eligible through WIOA. To learn more, visit https://ctstate.edu/workforce-development.

Consumer Issues

A pro-consumer group has called for a state investigation of what it brands as a greenwashing campaign by Colgate-Palmolive to persuade the public that Colgate and Tom’s of Maine toothpaste tubes are recyclable.

Truth in Advertising Inc. (“TINA.org”) said its investigation showed Colgate-Palmolive’s toothpaste brands are marketed as being packaged in “the first of its kind recyclable toothpaste tube,” though in reality most of these items are never recycled. TINA cited contamination issues, size and shape, and visual similarity to non-recyclable products as the reason these tubes are not being recycled.

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