The region’s Business Leadership Award winners are making a difference — whether it is advocating for businesses during the pandemic, volunteering time or making technological advances.
On Thursday, the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce hosted its 227th Annual Meeting & Business Leadership Awards. Hundreds attended the event, which took place at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale.
Howard K. Hill, owner of Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, was inducted into his new position as chair of the chamber’s board.
Jeffrey Klaus, outgoing chair, said of Hill, “when he talks, people listen.”
“I know Howard to be a wise man, someone who is very serious about his business and someone who is concerned about the community,” Klaus said.
Hill said becoming chair is a “big deal” for him, and he hopes to focus on improving opportunities and inclusivity in his new role.
“I invite you to work with the board,” Hill told the crowd. “Congratulations to all the honorees and incoming board members. I look forward to working with you.”
Garrett Sheehan, chamber president and CEO, said the group has been focused on helping businesses survive the pandemic. The chamber has had a digital transformation, offering many webinars to reach its audience, he noted.
The chamber is also doing work around diversity, equity and inclusion, Sheehan noted, and it recently hired a new coordinator of inclusive growth to focus on these efforts. It is also partnering with the Black Business Alliance, a nonprofit which aims to help black-owned businesses succeed.
“We are your chamber, and you lead us,” Sheehan said.
Heather LaTorra, president and CEO of Marrakech Inc., is the board’s new vice chair.
Carlton Highsmith, founder of Specialized Packaging Group and board chair of ConnCAT and ConnCorp, was honored at the event with the William Lanson Community Leadership Award. In 2009, his company was recognized as the largest minority-owned firm in Connecticut. His company has ranked as high as No. 26 on Black Enterprise Magazine’s annual list of the largest and most successful black-owned businesses in the country.
The chamber’s other Business Leadership Awards honorees included:
Corporate Heritage Award: Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Legislative Leadership Award: The Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development
Volunteer of the Year Award: Amy Pacelli, SphereGen Technologies
Technology Innovation Award: Inbox Health
Developer Investment Award: Winstanley Enterprises LLC
Alumnus of the Leadership Center Award: Cathy Graves, city of New Haven Economic Development
Equity & Inclusive Opportunity Award: Svigals + Partners
Small Business Leadership Awards: La Voz Hispana; JS Restaurant Group
Achievements in Manufacturing Award: Nucor Corp.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
