Leading the Way – Four Individuals Elected to CFMC Board of Directors

The CFMC Board of Directors Class of 2014 welcomes four individuals who bring passion and a broad range of skills to the Community Foundation’s leadership team.

John L. Boccalatte of Middletown was first elected in August to complete past board member Lyn May’s term. President and Manager of the law offices of Farrell, Geenty, Sheeley, Boccalatte & Guarino PC, John’s legal focus is transactional law for many institutional and individual clients in the region. A life-long resident of Connecticut, John has served the community in many capacities, including a past Board Member of the Middlesex Community College Foundation and past Chair of the Long Hill Estate Authority. John joined the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee in 2012, working with a dedicated group of volunteers to review and recommend grant awards through CFMC’s competitive grants process.

Gregory P. Rainey of Ivoryton joined the Community Foundation’s Marketing & Communications Committee in 2012 and, under the leadership of Board Chairman Marcia Kalayjian and Committee Chair Lyn May, worked as part of the team designing the Community Foundation’s new logo and website. As Principal/Owner of CCI Performance Group, a consulting firm specializing in the healthcare industry, Greg brings a keen understanding of marketing, leadership development, and management initiatives to his clients. Greg is Chair of the Community Foundation’s Marketing & Communications Committee. Greg is also a founding member of the Live Local Give Local 365 Fund at the Community Foundation.

Eric Thornburg of Clinton is a leading executive in Middlesex County as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Connecticut Water Services, Inc. Under his leadership, Connecticut Water has undergone significant growth and is currently ranked in the top tier among all publicly traded water utilities. Eric’s strong business and financial background will be of added benefit to both the Board of Directors and the Community Foundation’s Audit Committee on which he will serve.

Working in the field of development is about relationship building, and Frantz Williams, Jr. brings years of experience in that arena to the Board of Directors. Currently the Director of Parent Development at Wesleyan University, Frantz is also a graduate of Wesleyan University and brings a strong commitment to the community’s welfare to his work with the Community Foundation. With experience in strategic planning, fundraising and relationship building as well as community service, Frantz will work with CFMC’s Development Committee to broaden the Community Foundation’s relationships with its donor investors in Middlesex County.

John, Greg, Eric and Frantz join three CFMC Directors re-elected to three year terms. David Director (Cromwell) will continue his work on the Council of Business Partners, Governance Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee. He will also chair the Personnel Committee and was elected as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors for 2014. Nancy Fischbach (Deep River) was re-elected to Board of Directors Secretary and Chair of the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee. She also serves on CFMC Governance Committee. Gary Salva (Middlefield) was also re-elected to a three year term and serves on the Development Committee.

“We are very excited about the Board of Directors for 2014 and its leadership and commitment,” said John Biddiscombe, Chairman, CFMC Board of Directors. “John Boccalatte, Greg Rainey, Eric Thornburg, and Frantz Williams bring a broad range of expertise to our work, and the Middlesex County community will benefit from their business acumen and their deep commitment to furthering the investment of our neighbors and stakeholders. Middlesex County traditionally reaps the diverse benefits of a strong, dedicated and knowledgeable Board of Directors at the Community Foundation. These four individuals ensure the oversight and governance work of the Community Foundation will continue to develop and impact the community.”