The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce has chosen Edwin “Ted” H. May III, George “Sonny” W. Whelen IV and William E. Wrang III as recipients of its annual Distinguished Citizen Award.
May is a partner in the Glastonbury insurance and financial services agency of May, Bonee & Walsh. He is chairman of the board at The First Tee of Connecticut and is a board member of the Greater Hartford Community Foundation, Inc. (Travelers Championship). He was instrumental in facilitating the development of a new 23-acre practice facility at TPC River Highlands, a key asset in the expansion of tournament operations and an important recruiting tool for PGA Tour players.
Whelen is executive vice president of Whelen Engineering Co. Inc. in Chester. The firm designs, manufactures, and assembles safety lighting and siren systems for emergency management personnel. It also is a supplier to NASCAR, reflecting Whelen’s interest in motorsports. As a driver for Whelen Motorsports, he won two national championships in the Viper Racing League before retiring last year. He has been a prominent donor and fundraiser for a variety of causes.
Wrang is executive vice president of Webster Bank, where he has worked for 15 years leading the bank?s commercial real estate business. Since 1998, he has held various leadership positions with the Middlesex United Way including campaign chair in 2005, and president from 2006 to 2008. He received the Community Service Award in 2011, the highest honor bestowed upon a volunteer, and continues to sit on the Middlesex United Way Board of Directors.
The trio, chosen from among 225 nominees, will be honored at the chamber’s annual awards dinner event, to be held on Wednesday, June 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell.
Achieve Hartford honored
Education-focused Achieve Hartford was named the nonprofit of the year by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) during the group’s 16th annual Destino Awards celebration at The Hartford Club.
The award reflects Achieve Hartford’s efforts to promote the importance of a level playing field, recognize areas of improvement in our educational system, and create ways to address those needs to better society.
NSHMBA also honored United Technologies as its corporate partner of the year and Jose Rivera of UTC as corporate individual. Katherine Sisa-Lamb of ESPN was named outstanding member.
The Destino Award of Distinction honoree was Dr. Wilfredo Nieves, president, Capital Community College who also delivered the keynote.
Finkel Honored
Martha Finkel, Webster Bank’s senior vice president, commercial banking, has received the Chairman’s Service Award from Jewish Geriatric Services. Finkel served as chairman of the organization from 2010-2012. She is pictured at the awards event with her husband, Michael Ceppetelli, who is also an active JGS volunteer.
