Managing a Business to Serve the Community

Michael Bozzuto ’75 is a firm believer that everyone should take every opportunity they can to make their break, whether it’s in their professional or personal life. Once there, however, it’s entirely up to that person to make a positive impact on their local and greater communities.

This belief has led Bozzuto, chairman, president, and CEO of wholesale distribution company Bozzuto’s Inc., to ensure that his 1,800 distribution employees and 1,200 retail staff are well taken care of. Having learned from other distributors with whom he works, including in Wuhan and other parts of China, Bozzuto and his company were ready when COVID-19 came to the United States earlier this year. Bozzuto said his company was “very fortunate” to glean information on how other countries addressed the pandemic, and saw early on the importance of implementing the use of face masks and face shields.

Approximately 500 trucks unload product each day at Bozzuto’s, and another 400 trucks ship out to stores as far north as Maine, as south as Maryland, and as west as Ohio. However, the trucks are no longer filled with as many different items; in fact, one of the problems Bozzuto’s continues to face is a lack of supply, including hand sanitizer and holiday-themed products. Bozzuto’s tries to spread what they receive evenly to its customers while continuing to maintain relationships with manufacturers to ensure they are getting their fair share of products.

Despite the pandemic, Bozzuto’s boasts a 99 percent service level. With a shortage of goods, maintaining that level of service can be a challenge, especially when a customer requires specific products in a moment’s notice, according to Bozzuto.

Bozzuto also makes sure his employees are heard during this pandemic. “Be concerned about your employees. Listen to them. See what’s going on. It’s uncharted territory for the most part, and you try to make the best choices you can and be respectful of everyone. I think the same values you live with every day are the ones that will carry through most of your decision-making processes.”

Bozzuto’s Inc. is not the only piece of Bozzuto’s life that has been impacted by the coronavirus. The Hometown Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization established by Bozzuto in 2002, has had to make some modifications due to physical distancing and other requirements compared to years past. However, donations have not been affected. In fact, this year, The Hometown Foundation raised $2.5 million through its annual Dream Ride Experience, the culminating fundraiser held annually—this year from Aug. 21-23. In total, the Foundation has raised more than $15 million in support of the Foundation’s five pillars: Animal Welfare, Emergency Response Personnel, Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or In Need, Major Illness, and the Military.

I think it’s quite an accomplishment to see people get involved and make a difference in their lives...“We often say … ’it’s just one of those things you have to experience to understand it.’

The Foundation’s logo is a helping hand and, as Bozzuto explained, the organization is assisting in all facets of life. “We look at ourselves as the center of the community. We look at our stores as community centers. Basically, you handle those things, then you are the community.” At the Dream Ride Experience, held at the Farmington Polo Club, Bozzuto is able to see Special Olympics athletes, Dream Riders, sponsors, and others gather from around the world. This year marked the Ride’s 20th anniversary, and both in-person and virtual experiences were offered for everyone.

“I think it’s quite an accomplishment to see people get involved and make a difference in their lives,” reflected Bozzuto. “We often say … ‘it’s just one of those things you have to experience to understand it.’”

Bozzuto credited his five years at Cheshire Academy for the way he treats others today. An integral member of the Key Club—a leadership and service-focused group—during his time at CA, Bozzuto believes that the faculty, staff, and classmates made a tremendous impact on who he is now. “I always say that there’s the books, and then there’s the social life and everything else—the people side of it, the relationships. I think the books will carry you so far, but it’s everything else that makes a difference in who you are. I thought Cheshire and the faculty there did an outstanding job in understanding and taking personalized attention in the students. That was probably the key thing that I saw that made a difference.”