PRINT JOURNALISM: BECAUSE IT STILL MATTERS. MARCH 9, 2020 VOL. 56, No. 10
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Investors were frustrated with Wall Street’s performance at the end of February.
How much money did you lose?
INSIDE PAGE
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WELCH DIES AT 84
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MOUNDS IS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
STREAMING — ‘THE FINAL ECONOMIC BATTLEFIELD?’ BY PHIL HALL
NELSON: ‘THIS IS LIKE A 9/11 EVENT OR … LIKE A KATRINA’ BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com
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ust hours before President Donald Trump told a South Carolina rally of his followers that the stock market loss in reaction to the coronavirus crisis and what was being said about it was a Democrat political hoax and news media scheme to hurt
him, three local financial professionals were giving the Business Journal insights about what was happening. In the final trading days of February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped about 12% as the COVID-19 virus continued to spread. The estimated loss in wealth globally during that period was $6 trillion with $4 trillion of the loss attributable
phall@westfairinc.com
to the U.S. March opened with a 1,294 rise in the Dow on March 2, followed by a drop of 785 points on the following day despite the Federal Reserve announcing an emergency interest-rate cut of one-half percentage point. As of March 4, the novel coronavirus had spread to 82 countries. The worldwide count of cases had risen to 94,343 with 3,222 deaths. There were nine deaths reported in the U.S. The commentary was provided by: Mario Gabelli, chairman and CEO of Gamco Investors Inc., which is based in Rye, New York; David Nelson, chief strate» VIRUS
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ver the past few years, there has been an extraordinary increase in the number of streaming services vying for consumer attention and subscriptions. The recent Fairfield Universit y discussion “Streaming Wars: Competition for Your Subscription” detailed how the major streaming services will fight to obtain and maintain a dominant role in this fast-growing sector. Bridget Williams, senior vice president of strategy and operations at Hearst Newspapers Digital Media, observed that engaging content is the prime challenge facing the streaming
services. “You’ll start to see that even if you are a subscriber to multiple services, 90% of those offerings are not relevant to you,” she said, adding the companies that will hold a leadership role in this realm will be those “who have a very clear idea of their audience and start developing content that serves that audience specifically. I think the broad categories is where there is going to be problems.” Adam Rugg, an assistant professor of communication at Fairfield University, noted the Disney media empire was relatively late in recognizing the potential of streaming, but has muscled its way into becoming a major player with popular content. » MEDIA
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Stamford’s REINNO looks to disrupt real estate investing with tokenization BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
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Stamford company believes it has seen the future of real estate investment — and its name is tokenization. “We believe we’re right on the cutting edge” of tokenization, Barry Moniês, co-founder of REINNO, said at the firm’s office at the Stamford Technology Center (STC) at 970 Summer St. “This is an alternative to traditional real estate financing, which is very restrictive and expensive to get into — and it’s been approved by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).” REINNO (pronounced “Reno,” “like the town in Nevada, where there’s lots of money,” Moniês quipped) tokenized a $105 million commercial real estate (CRE) fund last month, and on Feb. 18 tokenized its own building, which also houses Moniês’ IT firm Computronix. It is the first such deal in Connecticut, and one of the first commercial properties to undergo tokenization in the U.S. Real estate tokenization creates a digital representation of equity and/or debt in the form of securitized digital tokens. As Moniês explained, it is a tool that promises to make financing and capital raising easier, faster, more efficient and secure. While most tokenized properties are offered to investors in the form of security token offerings, in the case of the STC, the owners are not planning to sell. Instead, Moniês said, they will use tokens as loan collateral. REINNO has a proprietary risk assessment model that allows it to almost instantly lend money against CRE tokens — an approach Moniês said breaks from the traditional, “inefficient” CRE model, which involves working with banks, lawyers and title companies when borrowing against real estate. That approach, he said, can be complicated, time-consuming and “closed to all but the big boys.” With tokenization, owners can choose how much of their property they would like to put forth as collateral. Investors can then take an a la carte approach to investing in a property. Tokenizing real estate allows for
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Barry Moniês
“fractional” sales whereby both parties agree to a transaction of a certain portion of the property — $30 per square foot, for example — rather than the entire building, much as a Wall Street investor buys shares in a company rather than the entire company itself. Powered by blockchain, tokenized real estate limits transaction costs by excluding third parties like banks, agents and notaries and increases real estate liquidity. Moniês stressed that, despite the name, the “tokens” involved are not physical specimens like coins or the old subway token. They are completely digital entities that live on a public blockchain, which he defined as “a glorified database. “The world at large is not ready for blockchain for small business yet in large part because there haven’t been enough case studies. But there are certain industries where it applies itself pretty easily, and CRE is one of them.”
Under SEC guidance, real estate tokenization is expected to grow in the coming years. On Feb. 18, digital asset trust company BitGo acquired security token platform Harbor, whose subsidiaries include a broker-dealer regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and a transfer agent supervised by the SEC. BitGo leadership indicated that expanding its presence in the tokenized CRE market was a significant factor in the deal whose financial details were not disclosed. But not all the news in the sector has been good. Last year, a deal involving Harbor and the real estate division of Chicagobased trading firm DRW Holdings to tokenize $20 million worth of student housing fell apart due to what was described as the inadvertent ignorance of a no-transfer clause written into the mortgage on the property. In addition, a joint venture formed in late 2018 between technology provider Fluidity and dig-
ital asset-focused broker-dealer Propellr sought to tokenize a $30 million luxury condo development in Manhattan. That project never came to fruition with the companies walking away last November. “The market was just too young at the time,” said Fluidity Co-founder Sam Tabar. “It didn’t have sufficient institutional appetite.” But REINNO is different, Moniês said, because of its status as a lender, whereby investors can buy back their tokens at cost plus interest in a much smaller window of time than is otherwise possible. “Most of our competitors just do the tokenization,” Moniês said. “But we do that, plus we’re a lender” — REINNO offers instant loans up to $50 million backed by tokenized real estate with no paperwork — “plus we’re going to be launching our own marketplace, a Craigslist for tokenized properties if you will.” Moniês said that should go live within a few weeks. The company began when Moniês began researching Bitcoin as a way to pay Computronix’s clients who had fallen victim to ransomware. That led him to learning more about blockchain, and eventually forming REINNO — which stands for “real estate innovation” — with Viktor Viktorov, a one-time e-commerce entrepreneur. “We hit it off and here we are a year later, tokenizing the world,” Moniês laughed. REINNO has several other properties whose tokenization will soon be announced, he said, including a $50 million residential apartment building in Middletown and a $16 million property in Las Vegas, as well as two other deals totaling $150 million. “We are expecting to tokenize over $1 billion worth of commercial real estate this year,” Moniês declared. He anticipates real estate tokenization to evolve much in the way that website creation did: from a specialized service costing hundreds of dollars to “paying two bucks a month for something like GoDaddy. “I believe that we’ll be seeing DIY tokens in the near future,” he said.
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Suite Talk
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Breen: Millennial homeownership delayed due to student debt
n January, Connecticut Realtors named Joanne Breen, a Realtor with ERA Sargis-Breen Real Estate in Newington, as its 2020 president. In this edition of Suite Talk, Business Journal Senior Enterprise Editor Phil Hall meets with Breen to discuss the state of her profession.
the Legislature to do whatever they can to get more affordable housing.” Are legislators listening to this call? “It’s all about relationships. One of the main jobs with Connecticut Realtors is to establish relationships with all of the people up at the Legislature. Because without relationships and an open dialogue, we’re not going to get any work done. I think in most cases they really do understand.”
Do young people today see the Realtor profession as a viable career opportunity? “Yes, and it is interesting because when I started 41 years ago what you saw were a lot of women who came into the workforce who had their own families. One of the reasons I got into it was because of the flexible hours. But now, we’re seeing young men and women coming out of college and going into real estate. And there’s a lot of second and third generation, which is very interesting — they’ve been raised in real estate and have seen their parents and grandparents in it. Many of us have come from another career — I was originally a teacher — so, it’s not unusual today for this to be the first career.” Do you have a lot of millennials as clients? “The challenge we are having with the millennials is the student loan debt they have. It now takes seven years longer for a young person to get their first house because of that student debt. We’ve talked to the legislators and a lot of them would like to do something with a first-time homebuyer program or credit that maybe their employer could contribute to — something like a 401(k) for buying the first home, which would be tax-sheltered. But with the state, where can they get the funds for this type of program? “A few years ago, it took millennials a little while to get started — they thought they’d want to rent and not make a commitment for a home. But once they got a little bit older and wanted to start a family, renting didn’t seem as appealing as owning a home.”
Joanne Breen. Photo by Phil Hall.
The challenge we are having with the millennials is the student loan debt they have. It now takes seven years longer for a young person to get their first house because of that student debt.
What is Connecticut’s rental housing market like? “They’re certainly not cheap. People are surprised at how high some of the rental properties are. And we don’t have a large pool of properties for rent, either. So, we’re caught in a situation where there are not a lot of rentals and not a lot of homes for sale. “I think a lot of the younger generation is going back into the urban areas. Stamford is doing very well. They’re booming.”
practical is selling very, very quickly. “I was in Litchfield County and heard from a homebuilder who said the zoning regulations are adding to the cost of new construction to the point that the profit margin for homebuilders has really shrunk. And the market has not recovered in the way it has in other parts of the country, and that has left homebuilders leery of putting up those spec houses that they put up years ago.”
A lack of inventory is a problem facing many housing markets around the country. Is that also a problem in Connecticut? “Inventory is historically low. Anything that is decent and
The lack of affordable housing options is also a problem in many markets around the country. Is that also true here in Connecticut? “We need more affordable housing and we are encouraging
What is on your current legislative agenda? “It is a short session this year, and we got a lot done last year, but there are still a couple of things on our plate. The agency disclosure law in Connecticut is still a little bit unclear and has been. We’re looking to clean that up a little bit. We’re also working on a professionalism bill on the requirements to become a broker in Connecticut. I’ve been a broker since 1988. The experience question of the requirements is really lacking, so we are going to be working on tightening that up. “Professionalism is a big concern of mine, especially for protecting the consumers. You want them to be handled by agents that are well-informed and well-instructed.” What percentage of your time is devoted to serving as Connecticut Realtors’ 2020 president? “At least 60%, maybe a little bit more. During the legislative session, I am up at the Legislature’s office building a lot. If we have to do testifying, I will be there and having meetings with legislators in their office. “I also go around to the local associations and speak to them on our initiatives. I’ve even started a group with the presidents of our 15 local organizations and they are a great group. They are sort of an untapped resource that we maybe need to tap into a little bit more.”
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Private equity firm Brand Velocity Partners puts emphasis on marketing BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
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n mid-January, the startup private equity firm Brand Velocity Partners made its first acquisition with the purchase of Original Footwear Inc., a provider of military and law enforcement footwear. The driving force behind the transaction was Steve Lebowitz, founding and managing partner at Brand Velocity Partners. “We officially launched with the acquisition,” he said. “We had the idea last year and it started because my partners and I felt there was a real gap in the private equity marketplace. I spent my career in lower-middle markets private equity and a lot of private equity firms had very similar value-add strategies. The idea of our firm was to focus the value-add strategy on an area where they really need the help. Finance is not usually what these companies need.” Lebowitz, who has a law degree from Harvard, was a managing partner at Topspin Partners for 16 years before teaming with three other private equity veterans in creating Brand Velocity Partners. He stressed that helping companies via marketing expertise
Steve Lebowitz, founding and managing partner at Brand Velocity Partners. Photo by Phil Hall.
will make Brand Velocity Partners stand out from other private equity firms. “For a business owner that wants a second bite of the apple, that gives them something exciting for partnering with us,” he said. “We can really help you grow by marketing resource.” With Original Footwear, Lebowitz learned about the company through an introduction via mutual connections. “They weren’t in the auction process,” he added, thus giving him an inside track that other private equity firms lacked. “Our value add was appealing to the owners.” Original Footwear was founded in 1999 and is based in
Morristown, Tennessee. The company offers footwear products under the Altama, Original S.W.A.T. and Smith & Wesson brands and recently expanded into the consumer footwear market with Urban Assault, a lighter-weight variation on its Altama brand of military boots. “They’re already growing their military and law enforcement channel,” Lebowitz observed. “We want to grow more broadly with consumers — and that does not mean for every consumer, because it may not be for every consumer. But we think there is an opportunity for the authenticity of the brand, having been on the soldiers in every war going back to Vietnam
and the footwear of choice for Navy SEALs.” For Lebowitz, Original Footwear met his criteria as a company marked with differentiation from its competitors. “The product has to stand out in some way,” he stressed. “And if their financial plan makes sense, can we add value to it? We want to take that great product, figure out who the consumers are, and get the message and product to them.” Lebowitz acknowledged that Brand Velocity Partners’ focus is different from other private equity firms that put their primary attention on the financial aspects of growing companies. “There is a tremendous amount of capital that is not differentiated from one another,” he stated. “The whole model of private equity is ripe for change because I think it overrates financial skillsets and underrates other valuable skillsets. If you look at how great companies are built, they are not built on finance — but that’s how the industry is organized. I think that, over time, there will be more expertise in marketing or operational.” However, he admits that marketing could use a bit of a shake-up. “A lot of marketing is about figuring things out and not being
Jack Welch, former General Electric chief executive, dies at 84 BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
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ack Welch, the former chairman and CEO of General Electric who dramatically expanded the company’s market share during a 30-year leadership tenure, died on March 1 at the age of 84. Born John Francis Welch Jr. in Peabody, Massachusetts, on Nov. 13, 1935, Welch’s father was a conductor on the Boston & Maine Railroad and his mother was a homemaker. During his youth, he held summer jobs as a golf caddie, newspaper delivery boy, shoe salesman and drill press operator.
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He graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received a masters and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Welch joined General Electric in 1960 as a junior chemical engineer in the company’s Pittsfield, Massachusetts, plastics division facility. He worked his way up to vice president and head of the division by 1968 and began an executive ascension to vice chairman in 1979 and chairman and CEO by 1981. Welch’s leadership of the
Jack Welch (right) with students. Photo courtesy Sacred Heart University
company, then headquartered in Fairfield, was marked by dramatic acquisitions — including RCA and Kidder Peabody — and the creation of new businesses, including GE Capital Bank. He also generated controversy with massive workforce cuts, earning the nickname “Neutron
Jack” — a reference to the neutron bomb that would kill people but leave buildings intact. In his 2001 autobiography “Jack: Straight From The Gut,” Welch noted that GE had 411,000 employees in the year before he took the chief executive role and had 299,000 five years later.
dogmatic about a particular way,” he continued. “In our approach, we try different things. We did a bunch of research on the brand — 12,000 people — and tried to understand who would be more sympathetic or less. That was a lot of testing — almost like science. Science is more of a process of inductive reasoning to get to an answer, as opposed to a pre-defined answer we knew in advance. You have to find out not what you think, but what a much bigger group thinks. It’s natural to overestimate one’s prowess.” Brand Velocity Partners has completed a second transaction that has yet to be formally announced. Lebowitz is not setting a quota for the new firm’s transaction activity, insisting that “quality is definitely more important than quantity — it has to be where the deal fits the criteria.” Also on the agenda is a formal headquarters. Lebowitz envisioned a Greenwich office “eventually,” but at the moment he is working from a home office in his Larchmont residence. “I like it — there is no commute time,” he laughed. “If you are working long hours, it is great to shave off an hour in commuting. I work on the third floor. I go upstairs and close the door so nobody bothers me.”
Welch’s management style earned very mixed reviews. Fortune magazine hailed him as “manager of the century” in 1999, claiming his actions multiplied GE’s value “beyond anyone’s expectations.” But The New York Times complained, “His legacy is not only a changed GE, but a changed American corporate ethos, one that prizes nimbleness, speed and regeneration over older ideals like stability, loyalty and permanence.” After his retirement in 2001, Welch became a consultant and best-selling author, making numerous appearances on television and at business conferences. Sacred Heart University’s Jack Welch School of Business was named in his honor in 2006, and he taught at MIT Sloan Management School of Business and created the Jack Welch Management Institute, a program at Cleveland’s Chancellor University, in 2009.
Media — From page 1
“Why are people subscribing to Disney Plus?” he asked. “It’s because of the content. It’s ‘The Mandalorian,’ it’s Marvel, it’s Pixar, it’s ‘I want that stuff.’ ” In comparison, Rugg continued, Netflix is going to face a struggle by having a surplus amount of content that cannot appeal to everyone. “Do I still need Netflix?” he mused. “Am I spending 45 minutes on Netflix looking for something and then going, ‘Eh’? The companies that are going to ultimately win have that catalog and that stream of ongoing content that connects with people.” Stephen Beck, a managing partner at New York City management consulting firm cg42 and a frequent guest commentator on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” predicted that Netflix will soon be facing a subscriber exodus. “Their No. 1 show is ‘Friends’ and that goes byebye in a couple of months,” he said. Beck forecasted a near-future where major media conglomerates will see streaming as “the final economic battlefield” and the central focus of their corporate operations, especially with Disney Plus. “We see that in the future becoming the front-facing version of Disney, where everything sort of runs through that,” he stated. “We’re seeing their movie franchises playing out through Disney Plus, with ‘Star Wars’related shows and I believe a Marvel-related show. And you are not going to be able to get the full plot or story of the Marvel universe without seeing the shows.” The exception to the rule, Beck pointed out, was Netflix, which he believed was vulnerable against major companies. “Comcast, AT&T, Apple, Amazon, Disney are just massive compared to Netflix,” he said. “And if other telecommunications like Verizon get into this at some point, they’ll see streaming platforms as the
W I G G I N A N D DA N A E X PA ND S I N W E ST P O RT Wiggin and Dana further boosts capabilities to represent individual clients in Fairfield County with the opening of our office in Westport.
Landing pages for the Disney Plus and Netflix streaming platforms. Photos courtesy Disney Plus and Netflix.
way to operate a media conglomerate. Do other large media companies get involved here? I wonder if there is a place for Netflix — can they stay independent and compete at the economic scale all these other companies operate at?” Rugg noted that Netflix is placing a heavy emphasis on quality content, with significant funding of marketing related to entertainment industry awards. “It’s all about how good the stuff on the platform is, not how good the platform is,” he opined. But while streaming services have taken away viewers and the monthly subscription fees from cable television providers, Williams complained there were still some areas where its content was lacking — particularly with news and live events. A self-identified “cord cutter,” Williams lamented over the difficulties she faced in trying to view the recent Democrat Party presidential candidate debate from Las Vegas. Rugg did not believe that cable television will be able to compete as an equal against streaming. “People don’t like to look at dated technology,”
he said. “Traditional cable thought they were the gateway to the things people wanted. And then a funny thing happened: the internet.” Rugg warned that the streaming industry might be repeating cable television’s mistake when it comes to subscription fees. “There is only one wallet,” he said. “In three years, if you subscribe to Netflix, Apple TV, Peacock and HBO Max, you will be spending more than if you’ve had cable.” The solution, Rugg felt, was service bundling. If there was a downside to streaming’s ascent, Beck stated, it was the “breakdown of mass culture and shared experiences” — the diversity of viewing choices fragmented the audience rather than united viewers into appreciating a single broadcast. But Beck felt that obstacle will be overcome. “Streaming is experimenting with live broadcasts and releasing content one episode per week,” he said. “A lot of excitement comes from shared experiences and a lot of meaning that’s created. None of the streaming services are successfully capturing that.”
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Virus — From page 1
gist of Belpointe Asset Management in Greenwich; and Matthew Carey, director of the Center for Financial Markets Studies and the LaPentaLynch Trading Floor at the Iona College LaPenta School of Business in New Rochelle, New York. “COVID-19 creates major concerns over the global supply chain and consumer spending,” Gabelli said. “Earnings projections will come down. The fear of the virus alone could hurt consumer confidence in the U.S.”
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‘9/11 EVENT’
“Clients are certainly nervous and, frankly, professionals are nervous as well,” Nelson told the Business Journal. “This is not your garden-variety event. This is not what is typically a demand-driven recessionary scenario where the economy is weak and people are pulling back. This is like a 9/11 event or like a meteor hitting the Earth unseen, like a Katrina, a storm that hits overnight.”
People are increasingly wearing masks in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
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-1,190 Nelson explained that the market had been seeing businesses around the world suspending operations and breaks in Chinese supply chains and manufacturing capability. The current strain of coronavirus first appeared in Wuhan, China. He said it became obvious to many that some public companies were going to have trouble meeting the financial targets they had been presenting to Wall Street. Carey talked about a friend of his in Rhode Island who operates a small business that depends on importing merchandise from China. “He’s been shut down since, probably, the beginning of February,” Carey said. “The factories have been closed and he hasn’t been able to have any orders produced. They’re just starting to gear up again now.” Carey said his friend had just returned to Rhode Island from China when the first American cases of the virus hit. Carey noted, “A stock market trades on what its view of the future is, so it is discounting the future.” Carey explained that the rapid spread of the virus caused a rapid change in underlying assumptions. “You add a shock like this and it causes people, the research community in particular and the economists, to go back and have to start to recut all of their estimates and all of their data for future earnings,” he said.
You add a shock like this and it causes people, the research community in particular and the economists, to go back and have to start to recut all of their estimates and all of their data for future earnings.
‘UNCERTAINTY CREATES OPPORTUNITIES’
“The consumer is going to be sensitive to the virus’ progression and it will have an impact on our economy,” Gabelli said. “The questions are when will the market fully discount it and how quickly will the economy and corporate earnings rebound? As history has shown us many times before, the uncertainty creates opportunities for investors.” “It’s hard to tell somebody not to be fearful when you see an event like this,” Nelson said. “It’s real money. It’s their retirement savings or something they’ve planned their lives around. Somebody might sell today and completely leave the equity markets and two weeks from now that may look like a good idea because the market may well be down another 10% or 15%. The question is, ‘What will be the catalyst that gets them to put the money back to work in the market?’ “A correction technically is a 10% decline, so we’ve got a correction. A bear market is classified as 20% from the high.” Nelson said many people likely won’t come back into the stock market until it hits another alltime high, where it was just before the February slide started. At that point, however, they will have missed out on substantial gains. “This is what we sign up for as investors,” Nelson said. “This is the other side of the coin. It’s not always a market like we’ve had at the beginning of this year. This is a lot more real. We get corrections like this.” Nelson said the decline could be an important wake-up call for investors who have had all of their money in stocks to review their portfolios. “If you’re approaching retirement, you should be pretty well diversified,” Nelson said. “It’s just going to be maintaining a balanced composure here. This is not a time for gunslinging.” Carey said what’s been happening to the world economy in general and Wall Street in particular both have provided compelling classroom subjects at the LaPenta School of Business. “We are very, very interconnected globally,” he said. “People are getting on and off planes and traveling all over the place all the time. “Markets are based upon assumptions and a view of the future. We’re all conditioned to the bull market when things are going up. When you get a big move that really rattles people it tests them, and it tests market psychology and what people tend to do is throw in the towel and run for cover.”
In Court Connecticut woman sues Rockland man claiming Indian marriage was for visa and dowry BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com
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Connecticut woman claims that a Rockland County man from India married her to get her dowry and jewelry and to gain entry to the U.S. Rebaca Varghese of Orange, Connecticut, sued Jaimon Varghese Thomas of New City on Feb. 25 in federal bankruptcy court in White Plains to stop him from getting out of paying his debts. Thomas “had a concealed motive to gain entry to the United States from India,” she states in an adversary proceeding challenging his Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and he married her “for immigration benefits.” Thomas’ bankruptcy attorney, Desiree de Moya of New City, did not respond to an email request for comment. Varghese grew up in India, immigrated as a child in 2001 and became a U.S. citizen. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, a master’s in secondary education from Johns Hopkins University and has worked as a high school science teacher at a private school in Stamford. Details of their relationship were summarized in 2019 by a Stamford Superior Court judge who presided over a 13-day trial in which she sought to annul the marriage. In 2015, her parents in Kerala, India, posted her profile on a website to reach eligible young men with a similar ethnic and Christian background. Thomas represented himself as “an independent, driven, motivated, family-centered God-fearing individual,” according to the trial memo, with advanced degrees from Indian universities, a job as a financial analyst and enough proficiency in English to work in America. Their parents arranged a marriage, with the couple’s approval. They met for the first time two days before the 2015 marriage. Her family paid a $15,000 dowry and bought her $20,805 in jewelry for the wedding. The jewelry was then left with him in India when she returned to the U.S. After their honeymoon at a tea plantation, they never again had intimate contact, according to the trial memo. Their communications were infrequent and hostile. He demanded a greater dowry and received another $15,000 from her family. Thomas obtained a visa in 2016, spent time with relatives in California and then moved in with her in Stamford, where he slept on a sofa and the relationship remained “distant and hostile,” according to the trial memo. She claims his language skills were
weak, he misrepresented his education and he seldom worked. Her Connecticut lawsuit alleges that the marriage contract was fraudulent. Thomas denied her claims of fraud and abuse but he also sought to end the marriage due to an “irretrievable breakdown” that happened after he moved to Connecticut. He demanded alimony and “a fair division of property and assets.” Judge Anthony D. Truglia Jr. annulled the marriage. He denied Thomas’ demand for alimony and ordered him to return the jewelry by May 1, 2019, pay his ex-wife $37,000 as a property settlement and pay
$20,000 as a portion of her legal fees. On Jan. 9, Thomas petitioned the bankruptcy court in White Plains for Chapter 13 protection. He declared $19,496 in assets — consisting mostly of a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander — and $99,692 in liabilities, including his debt to Varghese. He listed a $150 watch as his only jewelry. Her attorney, Anne Penachio of White Plains, argued that Thomas should be denied a discharge of debts to her because he failed to return her jewelry and he made a false oath when he failed to disclose possession of her jewelry in his bankruptcy petition.
A debt also may not be discharged if it is incurred in a divorce or separation, she states, or if it was obtained by false pretenses, false representations or fraud. The Connecticut court, she states, found clear and convincing evidence that Thomas obtained consent for marriage by material misrepresentations. He “misrepresented his financial background, his education, his earning capacity, his language proficiency and his intention to provide for her. Most importantly (he) expressly and by implication promised … that he would be a loving, respectful and supportive husband.”
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Coronavirus Crisis Connecticut officials preparing for coronavirus to spread BY BEN LAMBERT
C
oronavirus is likely to spread in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local officials across Connecticut are preparing to deal with a potential outbreak. Gov. Ned Lamont said the state government was prepared to address the disease, following the drills and procedures it has established. CDC officials noted coronavirus had appeared without obvious cause in several countries, which qualifies as “community spread,” the second of three criteria for a global pandemic. A Yale New Haven Health System official said most people who do become ill wouldn’t require hospitalization. Dr. Richard Martinello, medical director for infection prevention for the Yale New Haven Health System, said its five hospitals and Northeast Medical Group staff are continuously re-examining protocols to screen patients who may have traveled to an affected area or been in the company of someone who has and who shows symptoms of the coronavirus. “One of the challenges that we’re working on now is thinking about how we can adapt the protocols that we’ve set forth,” he said. All patients are asked whether they have any “signs and symptoms” of the disease, such as cough, fever or trouble breathing, he said. Screening is focused in “the triage desk of our emergency departments” at Yale New Haven, Bridgeport, Greenwich, Lawrence + Memorial and Westerly, Rhode Island, hospitals, but it also is occurring in doctors’ offices. “We are creating a process where we can make decisions about what countries we can add to the list that we currently have,” Martinello said. Now, patients are only being asked about China, “and we’re in the process of re-evaluating that,” he said. He said he is increasingly concerned about travelers to South Korea and, to a lesser extent, Japan and Italy. “We’ve had people who were in Israel and were in a meeting
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Gov. Ned Lamont.
with people from South Korea who appeared to be sick with a respiratory infection,” Martinello said. “There are a lot of nuances here. We need to be cautious. “If any of our staff have a concern, our infection-prevention team is available 24/7. The screening questions are being integrated into patients’ electronic health records.” Jennifer Jackson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association, said hospitals across Connecticut are prepared to treat those battling the virus. “We regularly prepare, we plan, we train, for outbreaks of disease,” said Jackson. “We have built resiliency into our system. We have experience preparing for Ebola, for H1N1, and every year, for the flu.” The CDC has guidelines for workplaces and schools to follow in case of a pandemic. If necessary, the state might recommend social distancing measures, such as having people stand six feet apart or canceling large gatherings. Michael Spera, police chief in Old Saybrook and president of the Connecticut Emergency Management Association (CEMA), wrote to Lamont about the lack of protective equipment available to emergency responders. Lamont said officials had been in touch with the state’s congressional delegation about their needs so they can accurately lobby for funds from the federal government. Fairfield University closed its
Florence University of the Arts study abroad program, bringing 142 students back to the U.S. Sacred Heart University brought home its students studying at John Cabot University in Rome. UConn’s study abroad programs in Italy remain active, but the university advised the 88 students studying there to avoid traveling to areas affected by the coronavirus. Southern Connecticut State University is making arrangements for two students in Italy to return home. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim advised residents to take preventive measures in a statement, including “washing hands often, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue as well as cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.” Bradley International Airport has not begun screening for the coronavirus, as the airport does not receive direct flights from any region yet affected, Public Information Officer Ryan Tenny said. The CDC is screening passengers at 20 airports across the country, he noted. “Ultimately, we expect we will see community spread in this country. It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. She noted there is no vaccine for Covid-19, the specific strain of coronavirus in question, or medication approved to treat it. She said nonpharmaceutical interventions would be the most important part of the response. Chinese health officials, studying 72,314 cases diagnosed before Feb. 11, said the lethality rate for those individuals was about 2.3%, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. About 81% of cases were considered mild, officials said. The lethality rate for the 1918 outbreak of Spanish flu was about 2.5%, although that disease killed healthy, younger people at a high-
er rate than Covid-19 appears to have so far. The typical lethality rate for a flu outbreak is about 0.1%. Approximately 16,000 people have died from the flu in the U.S. so far this season. The lethality rate for SARS, which infected about 8,000 people in 2002-2003, was 10%
during that period, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Ben Lambert is a staff reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media. He can be reached at william. lambert@hearstmediact.com. Ed Stannard and Mark Zaretsky contributed to this story.
Feds OK Public Health Department’s diagnostic testing for COVID-19 BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
T
he Connecticut Department of Public Health’s laboratory in Rocky Hill has received approval from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct diagnostic testing for the coronavirus (COVID19). The approval will enable samples from state residents under
investigation for having the coronavirus to be tested at the Rocky Hill laboratory rather than have samples sent to the CDC testing sites in Atlanta for diagnosis. Public Health Commissioner Renée D. Coleman Mitchell said the ability to do tests locally means “we can turn around test results within 24 hours of getting samples [and] will improve the investigation of any future cases and tracking down anyone potentially exposed to the disease.”
Norwalk’s Booking Holdings warns investors of coronavirus impact BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com Norwalk’s Booking Holdings is forecasting significant declines in its first-quarter revenue due to fears over the spread of the coronavirus. In a statement announcing its fourth-quarter and full-year 2019 financial results, Booking Holdings — whose brands include Priceline, Kayak and Agoda — said: “The coronavirus has had a significant and negative impact across our business during the first quarter. It is not possible to predict where and to what degree outbreaks of the coronavirus will disrupt travel patterns.” The company is forecasting declines in first-quarter revenue of 3% to 7% and in earnings per share of 14% to 19%. CFO David Goulden said the company is forecasting first-quarter booked room nights to be down 5% to 10% over last year. Its total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $3.3 billion and its total revenues for 2019 reached $15.1 billion, both 4% increases from the previous year. Other travel-related firms are feeling the impact of the crisis. Marriott International is forecasting a $25 million loss to its monthly fee revenue this quarter, while JetBlue — whose routes do not include Asia or Europe, where the virus is having the greatest impact — became the first U.S. airline to offer waivers for all travel, saying it was suspending change and cancellation fees for new flight bookings through March 11.
In Brief Paul Mounds replaces Ryan Drajewicz as Lamont’s chief of staff
Norman E. Snyder Jr. Illustration by Bob Rozycki.
Reed’s Inc. promotes Norman E. Snyder Jr. to CEO BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN
Paul Mounds, at lectern, being introduced as Gov. Ned Lamont’s new chief of staff.
Paul Mounds has been appointed by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont as his chief of staff, succeeding Ryan Drajewicz, one of the architects of the governor’s tolls plan. The governor noted that the transition was a planned one. When Drajewicz assumed the role at the beginning of the Lamont administration, he agreed to serve for one year. The move comes just a few days after Lamont announced he thought it was “time to take a pause” on tolls after months of sometimes bitter wrangling. Mounds, the state’s chief operating officer, is the first AfricanAmerican to hold the chief of staff post in state history. Replacing him as Connecticut’s COO is Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Josh Geballe. Prior to joining Lamont’s administration when the governor took office in January 2019, Mounds was vice president of policy and communications for the Connecticut Health Foundation. He also served as senior director of public policy and government relations for Gov. Dannel Malloy, during which he managed public policy development and the legislative program for the administration. He also worked for U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal as deputy
state director for outreach. Drajewicz, a Fairfield resident, said he had not decided on his next career step. He frequently butted heads with Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano, especially on tolls. In March 2019 he dismissed Fasano’s and fellow Republicans’ Prioritize Progress plan for addressing infrastructure needs, which relied heavily on bonding, as “Prioritized Borrowing.”
AHCT’S SMALL BUSINESS UNIT RECORDS DOUBLE-DIGIT ENROLLMENT GROWTH
Access Health CT’s (AHCT) Small Business division recorded double-digit enrollment growth, increased broker engagement and a nearly 100% jump in stand-alone dental coverage for 2019. According to the state health insurance exchange, its 2019 growth rate was in excess of 20%. That result was driven mainly by broker engagements within the small business community, with 89% of plans selected with the help of a broker. Of that 89%, 10% were completed with new broker relationships. AHCT also saw its stand-alone dental coverage membership nearly double compared with the previous year. Last month, AHCT reported a 3% decrease in enrollment during its most recent open enrollment
period — something it said was in part due to the strength of the economy. Roughly 187,000 Connecticut residents are uninsured, representing about 5.2% of the state’s population.
STAMFORD OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE HITS MARKET FOR $3.1 MILLION
The 10,477-square-foot building at 417 Shippan Ave. in Stamford has hit the market for $3.1 million, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets Group. The property is 100% leased to a mix of retail and office tenants. The ground-floor retail space is occupied by Bank of America (2,000 square feet plus drivethrough), Subway (1,000 square feet) and Organic Fitness (1,200 square feet). The second-floor office space is occupied by JKL Specialty Foods (1,500 square feet) and Cort (4,216 square feet). Cort’s lease expires on Oct. 31 at which time it will be leaving.
HOULIHAN LAWRENCE LAUNCHES CONCIERGE PLATFORM TO PREPARE FOR PROPERTY SALES
Houlihan Lawrence has launched a concierge platform in Connecticut that connects sellers with designers to help prepare a property for sale. The service is available for Connecticut sellers with a signed
kzimmerman@westfairinc.com Norwalk drinks manufacturer Reed’s Inc. has promoted Chief Operating Officer Norman E. Snyder Jr. to CEO. Snyder will succeed John Bello, who has served as Reed’s interim CEO since September 2019. Bello will continue to serve as the firm’s chairman of the board of directors. Bello was named interim CEO after the sudden departure of Val Stalowir, who took over as CEO from founder and former CEO Chris Reed in July 2017. Stalowir was instrumental in the company’s relocation of its headquarters from Los Angeles to Norwalk in August 2018. Prior to joining Reed’s in 2019, Snyder served as president and CEO of Avitae USA, a “premium new age beverage company” in Cleveland. Before that he was president and CEO of Adina For Life Inc., a startup beverage venture that markets and sells ready-to-drink fruit beverages, teas and coffees.
listing agreement with a Houlihan Lawrence sales associate with no up-front cost, until the property closes. Home-preparation options include deep cleaning, cosmetic updates, general repairs, professional staging services, window treatments, landscaping, decluttering and moving and packing services. “We look forward to expanding the offering into our New York markets later this year,” Houlihan Lawrence President Liz Nunan said. The company is headquartered in Rye Brook, New York.
TONG LEADS MULTISTATE INVESTIGATION OF JUUL LABS
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is taking a leadership position in a bipartisan
multistate investigation into the sales and marketing practices of the electronic cigarette company JUUL Labs. Tong’s office began an investigation into health claims made by JUUL Labs Inc. last August, citing the company’s marketing of its products as smoking-cessation devices even though it never received permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market its vaping products as effective tools to help people quit smoking. As part of the 39-state coalition’s probe into the company, Tong plans to determine the level of JUUL’s targeting of youth, its claims regarding nicotine content and its statements related to the risks, safety and effectiveness of its product line as a smoking-cessation device.
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In Brief Bridgeport. According to a statement from the firm, Smriga — who retired from the state’s attorney’s office on Feb. 1 — will concentrate on Part A criminal matters and the investigation of civil rights cases. Smriga, a Shelton resident, was appointed state’s attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District in 2009. He oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all crimes committed within the judicial district, which includes Bridgeport, Fairfield, Trumbull, Easton, Monroe and Stratford.
Photo courtesy of CodeRidgefield
NEW STEM TUTORING SERVICE OPENS IN RIDGEFIELD
CodeRidgefield, a STEM tutoring service for students between the ages of 7 and 14, has opened at 105 Danbury Road in Ridgefield. The service provides instruction in Java and Python, and students will be able to create video games, websites and chat bots. A math-specific building course will also be available for children ages 7 to 9. CodeRidgefield will operate
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Mondays through Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service will provide a flexible curriculum, enabling parents to enroll students on schedules ranging from several times a week to once a month.
BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
RETIRED STATE’S ATTORNEY JOHN SMRIGA JOINS BRIDGEPORT LAW FIRM
Recently retired state’s attorney John Smriga has joined The Law Office of Robert Berke in
NBC moving Golf Channel HQ from Orlando to Stamford
John Smriga
NBC Sports Group is relocating its Golf Channel headquarters from Orlando to its base in Stamford. NBC said the move will take place over the next 12 to 18 months, though it did not say how many employees will be moving to its Stamford headquarters at 1 Blachley Road. NBC Sports Group reportedly signed a nine-year extension with the PGA Tour recently, which would maintain the Golf Channel as its primary cable partner, and continue NBC Sports’ status — along with CBS Sports — as the PGA’s primary network broadcasters. The PGA Tour’s combined rights fee increase in the deal is reportedly about $300 million per year.
In Brief annual event has raised a total of $9.3 million from 97,065 total gifts for more than 1,500 nonprofits.
XEROX LAUNCHES TENDER OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING HP SHARES
FAIRFIELD COUNTY’S GIVING DAY SEES DROP IN 2020 DONATIONS TO $1.65M
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation has announced that its seventh annual Fairfield County’s Giving Day event raised $1.65 million for 390 local nonprofits. This marked a decline from the 2019 event, which raised $1.71 million for 450 nonprofits.
The 24-hour event on Feb. 27 generated a total of 17,230 gifts from 12,666 donors, compared with the 2019 totals of 16,576 gifts from 11,742 donors. For the third consecutive year, the Stamford theatrical organization Curtain Call generated the greatest fundraising harvest with 1,318 unique donors raising $131,666. Since its inception in 2014, the
IQVIA has launched the Avacare Clinical Research Network, a technology-based endeavor designed to create opportunities for clinical and research trials at sites in the U.S. and India. According to the Danbury company, Avacare will combine clinical technology and advanced analytics to deliver artificial intelligence-powered patient referrals and data-driven enrollment trends. Avacare will provide coverage across 19 therapeutic areas and on behalf of 6.5 million patients, the company said.
JOHN W. AUCHINCLOSS NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOUNDATION
The Financial Accounting Foundation has announced the appointment of John W. Auchincloss as its new executive director. The Norwalk-based nonprofit is
John W. Auchincloss
responsible for the oversight of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and their advisory councils. Auchincloss joined the foundation as vice president and general counsel in May 2016 and was appointed acting president last year following the departure of then-President Terri Polley.
Women Matter Luncheon who
Giving Day billboard. Photo by Barrett Outdoor.
Xerox Holdings Corp. is continuing its effort to take over HP Inc. by launching a tender offer to acquire all of the company’s outstanding shares for $24 per share. It includes $18.40 in cash and 0.149 Xerox shares for each HP share. The offer and withdrawal rights are scheduled to expire at 5 p.m. EDT on April 21, unless the offer is extended. “Our proposal offers progress over entrenchment,” said John Visentin, CEO and vice chairman at Xerox. “HP shareholders will receive $27 billion in immediate, up-front cash while retaining significant, long-term upside through equity ownership in a combined company with greater free cash flow to invest in growth and return to shareholders.”
DANBURY’S IQVIA DEBUTS AVACARE CLINICAL RESEARCH NETWORK
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In Brief
YOUR MORNING COMMUTE, COFFEE, & NEWS.
Lori Bigelow, executive at Bigelow Tea, dies at 66
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Lori Bigelow, a third-generation executive at Fairfield’s family-owned Bigelow Tea, passed away on Feb. 24 at her home in Wilton at the age of 66. Bigelow was raised in Westport and graduated from Keene State University with the original career goal of becoming a physical education teacher. However, she joined the business created by her grandmother Ruth Campbell Bigelow in 1945. While her sister Cindi took on the sales and marketing aspects of the company, Lori Bigelow concentrated on creating new flavors and blends to expand the product line. She was instrumental in securing the company’s acquisition of South Carolina’s Charleston Tea Garden in 2003, later overseeing its operations. The Bigelow sisters would hold co-president titles, but Lori Bigelow stepped down in 2006 and remained with the company as a consultant. She would also serve on the board of directors at the American Tea Association and was a member of the Canadian Tea Association. Bigelow’s cause of death was not disclosed. In addition to her sister, she is survived by her parents Eunice and David Bigelow, who are co-chairmen of the company, and her partner, David McDonald.
MAUREEN E. HACKETT NAMED PRESIDENT AT BERKLEY LUXURY GROUP
W. R. Berkley Corp. has hired Maureen E. Hackett as president of its Berkley Luxury Group. Hackett was previously at AIG for nearly 20 years, most recently as head of global
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personal lines. Earlier she was global head of consumer property and executive vice president of that company’s private client group. Hackett succeeds William J. Johnston, who had held the position since 2007 and was appointed the company’s chairman.
MODELL’S TO CLOSE ALL FOUR CONNECTICUT STORES
Modell’s Sporting Goods is closing 24 of its 141 retail locations, including its four stores in Connecticut. The New York City-headquartered, family-owned chain released a video on YouTube with CEO Mitchell Modell detailing the financial problems that have burdened the 130-year-old company. The New York Post is reporting Modell’s is seeking an outside investor to acquire a minority stake in the company. It also reported that the chief executive sent a letter to 19 building and mall owners asking them to “dig deeper” in order to stave off a bankruptcy by March 1. Modell has retained Berkeley Research Group as an adviser in its restructuring efforts. The company did not issue a list of the specific stores that it would be closing, stating instead it would close four locations in Connecticut. However, the stores in Bridgeport, Stamford, Milford and Newington represent its entire presence in the state. The other closings will involve nine stores in New York, four each in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and one each in New Hampshire, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
DUNKIN’ ADDS DELIVERY SERVICE TO REGION
Dunkin’ Delivers, a service launched by the eatery chain and Grubhub in New York City last June, has expanded across the tri-state region, including Fairfield and Westchester counties with more than 800 participating locations. Deliveries are also being made through Seamless, the company’s New York-specific delivery brand. Deliveries can be made via the Grubhub or Seamless mobile app or website for time-specific arrivals. — Phil Hall and Kevin Zimmerman
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FOCUS ON
BANKING
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Bank of America reports positive outlook for Hispanic businesses BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN
GOALS FOR THE NEXT DECADE
kzimmerman@westfairinc.com
U
.S. Hispanic small-business owners and entrepreneurs are anticipating a decade of robust expansion and growth, a brighter outlook than their non-Hispanic peers have for the year ahead, according to the fourth annual Bank of America Business Advantage 2020 Hispanic Business Owner Spotlight. “What we’re seeing are big numbers,” Bank of America Vice President, Small Business Manager Jamie Anderson told the Business Journal. “Our report shows that this segment is extremely positive about where the economy is and where it’s going, which should bolster confidence for 2020 and the decade ahead for every sector.” The cohort has expressed a bullish attitude in each of the four years the bank has published the survey, Anderson noted. “These figures are at or near all-time highs,” he said.
100%
Hispanic business owners Non-Hispanic business owners 57%
50%
47%
45% 34%
30%
27%
29%
22%
22% 13%
Significantly increase revenue
Prioritizing digital presence of my business
Expand into new markets
Significantly increase staff
11%
Automate business operations
21% 8%
8%
Create innovative product or offering
Sell my business
Source: Bank of America
The study, based on a survey of more than 1,000 entrepreneurs across the country, revealed: • 89% of Hispanic small-business owners plan to expand over the next 12 months (vs. 68% of non-Hispanic entrepreneurs, and up from 87% in 2019). • 79% expect their revenue to increase in the year ahead, a fouryear high (vs. 57% of non-Hispanic entrepreneurs, and up from 74% in 2019). • 45% plan to hire in 2020 (vs. 24% of non-Hispanic small-business owners, and down from 51% in 2019). • 78% plan to obtain financing over the next 12 months (vs. 49% of non-Hispanic entrepreneurs). The top three ways Hispanic entrepreneurs intend to obtain financing are tapping into personal savings (38%), applying for a bank loan (31%) and using personal credit cards (23%).
DECADE OF OPPORTUNITY
Hispanic entrepreneurs view t h e » BOA 16
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Focus On
BANKING 15
BOA—
decade as one of opportunity as 92% of business owners say they believe the small-business environment will strengthen for their community over the next five years, and 90% have set ambitious goals to advance or grow their business in the decade. Their top five goals over the next 10 years include: significantly increasing revenue (57%), prioritizing the digital presence of their business (45%), expanding into new markets (34%), significantly increasing staff (30%) and automating business operations (29%). Also, 62% of Hispanic small-business owners are confident their local economy will improve in the year ahead (vs. 52% of non-Hispanic entrepreneurs, and down from 68% in 2019), and 53% are confident
the national economy will improve over the next 12 months (vs. 49% of non-Hispanic small-business owners, and down from 59% in 2019). Health care costs remain the most worrisome economic issue for Hispanic entrepreneurs at 63%, though concern fell to the lowest level since the survey began in 2017. Other top concerns of Hispanic business owners in 2020 include the political environment (59%), strength of the U.S. dollar (59%), commodities prices (56%), consumer spending (56%) and interest rates (55%). Hispanic/Latino businesses in the area total 21,309 in Fairfield County and 33,391 in Westchester, according to the latest U.S. Census data. According to a study from Stanford University, the number of Latino busi-
Hispanic entrepreneurs view the decade as one of opportunity as 92% of business owners say they believe the small-business environment will strengthen for their community over the next five years, and 90% have set ambitious goals to advance or grow their business in the decade.
ness owners grew 34% over the last decade, compared to 1% for all business owners in the U.S. That study also found that Latino-owned businesses contributed about $500 billion to the economy in annual sales. A 2019 report to Congress based on data from 2017 found almost 60 million Latinos in the nation accounted for $2.3 trillion in economic activity in total, which would equate to the eighth-largest economy in the world. With Latinos projected to make up 30% of the U.S. population this year, the group's contributions are only likely to grow. Latino-owned businesses employ more than 3 million people, according to the Stanford study, accounting for about 4% of U.S. business revenues and 5.5% of U.S. employment. However, Latino-owned companies remain smaller
Jamie Anderson
than white-owned firms, averaging $1.2 million in revenue compared with $2.3 million brought in by a white-owned company.
THE ELECTION LOOMS
Anderson remarked that election years are always a source of apprehension, especially as the 2020 presidential election nears. According to the Pew Research Center, Latinos are poised to be the larg-
est racial or ethnic minority group to be eligible to vote in a presidential election, with an estimated 32 million potential voters, compared with about 30 million African-Americans. Latinos are expected to make up about 13.3% of the electorate this year, according to Pew. The BofA report found that a lack of resources, lack of expertise and access to capital were cited as the top challenges small-business owners face. Anderson said the “lack of expertise” concern is a by-product of how quickly the businesses are expanding. Bank of America has 450,000 Hispanic small-business owners as customers, representing 14% of its 3.3 million small-business clients. Its Spanishlanguage mobile app has more than 2 million users, representing a 23% yearover-year growth rate.
The next big thing Azlo offers fee-free online banking for entrepreneurs BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com
D
uring the past few years, the U.S. financial services industry has seen a rise in so-called “neobanks,” digital-only financial services providers that eschew the traditional retail banking reliance on physical branches. According to a report by Business Insider Intelligence, the neobank model first flourished in Europe but has since crossed the Atlantic as many small- and midsized-business owners have complained about the level of customer experience they received from their banks. Among the new wave of U.S. neobanks is Azlo, an online-exclusive financial
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services provider aiming exclusively at the small business sector. “Anyone who lives in the U.S. and does contract work is eligible to be an Azlo customer,” said Cameron Peake, co-founder and chief executive of the San Franciscoheadquartered company. “We offer accounts to a wide range of businesses, including sole proprietors, corporations, limited liability companies and general partnerships.” Azlo’s strength, according to Peake, is gained by cutting away the various strings that burden many traditional business bank accounts. “Digital banks like Azlo offer a convenient and free way for people who want the perks of using a business account without the costs
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Cameron Peake, co-founder and CEO of Azlo.
and challenges that come with business banking at traditional brick-and-mortar banks,” she continued. “Azlo is the first fee-free digital business banking platform that offers an array of productivity solutions for entrepreneurs, like bill pay, invoicing and other accounting solutions.” Peake launched Azlo in
2017 and has partnered with several established financial services companies to support its products and services. Its accounts are Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured through its partner bank, BBVA USA. “Azlo partnered with Kabbage to offer a streamlined way for Azlo customers to apply for and manage
loans that are provided by Kabbage,” she said, adding that the bank’s relationship with Mission Street Capital “accelerates the loan application process and broadens small business access to capital. This partnership with Kabbage is filling a gap in our financial system and enabling small businesses to succeed.” As for enhancing the customer experience, Peake pointed out that the Azlo customer requires “less than half the time to set up an account compared to other banks.” She noted Azlo provides its customers fee-free ATM cards that can be used at the 55,000 ATMs in the Allpoint network, and Azlo accounts also include unlimited feefree ACH transactions. However, customers who
want to write out a check will not be able to put pen to paper. “Azlo does not offer checkbooks,” Peake stated. “However, you can mail a check to anyone through our bill pay service, and you can deposit checks in minutes using our mobile app.” For her own banking tastes, Peake admitted a fondness for “using digital channels to offer more affordable financial services to people that banks haven’t traditionally served in the past.” However, she did not envision expanding the Azlo platform to encompass non-business banking. “As banking technologies continue to rapidly develop, the future of consumer banking is undoubtedly digital,” she said.
Good Things ASLA 2020 CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AWARDS The Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (CTASLA) has announced the winners of its annual Connecticut Professional Awards competition, recognizing excellence in landscape architectural design, planning and analysis, communication and research. To be eligible, applicants must be a landscape architect or designer in Connecticut, and the entrant or project location must be based in Connecticut. CTASLA also included student awards this year for the first time, inviting students from the Landscape Architecture program at the University of Connecticut to submit scholastic work for peer review. Winners of the 2020 Connecticut ASLA Professional Awards include: Langan of New Haven for Bedford Square, Westport design and Delamar West Hartford; Artemis Landscape Architects of Sandy for coastal contemporary landscape in Westport; Janice Parker Landscape Architects of Greenwich for private Eden in Redding; Anne Penniman Associates LLC of Essex for re-envisioning a Hamptons Landscape in Southampton, New York; James Doyle Design Associates of Greenwich for Greenwich modern design; Milone & MacBroom Inc. of Cheshire for Outside Lies Magic in North Haven; Stantec of New Haven, for Albany Skyway Master Plan, Albany, New York; and Heritage Landscapes LLC of Norwalk for planting fields in Oyster Bay, Long Island.
WORLD-RENOWNED ‘CANADIAN BRASS’ IN SOUTHPORT CONCERT With an international reputation that spans all corners of the globe, Canadian Brass is widely known as “the world’s most famous brass group,” which will perform a spring concert at Trinity Episcopal Church at 651 Pequot Ave. at the corner of Center Street in Southport on Friday, March 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Canadian Brass has a discography of more than 130 albums and an extensive worldwide touring schedule that makes them an important pioneer in bringing brass music to mass audiences everywhere. They have sold well over 2 million albums worldwide, with 1.2 million sold in the Nielsen Soundscan era alone (since 1991). Ticket prices range from $45 to $100 per person and $175 for a family and may be purchased online or call the church at 203-255-0454.
EARTH DAY AT 50
STATE DRONE COMPANIES COMBINE FORCES Drones are commonly known for flying in the sky, but a new breed is rolling around on the ground and swimming in the ocean. Two Connecticut-based drone companies are joining forces to take on the task of protecting our planet using both airborne and amphibious drones by automating operations in security, environmental and even military fronts, globally. Harford-based Aquiline Drones (AD) will be powering GuardBot’s spherical and amphibious robotic vehicles via the AD Cloud (or ADC).
Top: York Air (2015). Bottom: Journalist Andrew Revkin at the North Pole.
The Bruce Museum in Greenwich presents its monthly series of special programs featuring thought leaders in the fields of art and science on Wednesday, April 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with Earth Day at 50: The Human Planet with Andrew Revkin and George Steinmetz. Renowned science writer Revkin and
ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPER REFORMS BROWNFIELDS Catalyst Development Partners in Westport has successfully transformed three brownfield sites in New Jersey into land coveted by real estate developers that have increased jobs and eliminated environmental concerns. The company seeks more brownfield projects to remediate. Catalyst redeveloped three underutilized, blighted and often environmentally impaired industrial and commercial properties in New Jersey, including the former Gerdau Ameristeel plant in Perth Amboy, the former Griffin Pipe Foundry in Florence and the former Matheson Tri-Gas property near the Meadowlands. During the process, the company acquired, remediated and repositioned the property that was contaminated. The three projects produced more than 2.5 million square feet of new big-box modern industrial warehousing and logistics centers. More than 1,100 new permanent jobs were created and more than $3 million in annual tax revenues for the municipalities and state were realized.
acclaimed exploration photographer Steinmetz will discuss their collaboration on the new book “The Human Planet: Earth at the Dawn of the Anthropocene” (Abrams, 2020), which features 200 four-color photographs taken from Steinmetz’s signature aerial vantage point, The Human. Admission to Earth Day at 50 for muse-
um members is $30 and $45 for nonmembers. A signed copy of the book is included with the purchase of a ticket. Doors open at 6:20 p.m. A reception with light bites and beverages begins at 6:30 p.m. with the discussion at 7 p.m. followed by a Q&A with the audience. To reserve your seat, visit brucemuseum.org or call 203-869-0376.
BANK FOUNDATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP AWARD The First County Bank Foundation is accepting applications for the annual Richard E. Taber Citizenship Award. High school seniors can apply by visiting firstcountybank.com/ richard-e-taber-citizenship-award-scholarship. The award rewards high school seniors residing in Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport and surrounding areas in Bridgeport who are well-rounded citizens. This scholarship is weighted toward those who demonstrate leadership and caring for their community. The criteria for selection are best defined by CLASS — Citizenship, Leadership, Academics, Service and Sportsmanship. Three $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school seniors. The deadline for submitting an application is May 1. Each recipient will receive a personalized certificate and a check for $5,000 will be sent directly to the college of acceptance. Decisions on scholarship recipients will be made by the end of May. The award was named in honor of Richard “Dick” Taber who retired in 2011 from First County Bank as chairman and CEO. He
initiated the First County Bank Foundation, which he championed during his 40 years at First County Bank. The recipient of this award must be a high school senior who has been accepted to an accredited two- or four-year college or university. Each candidate must: · Be a resident of Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Fairfield, Greenwich, New Canaan, Westport or surrounding areas in Bridgeport, and be a graduating high school senior. · Hold a “B” average or higher during their junior and senior years in high school. · Provide an admission acceptance document from a two or four-year college or university. · Be involved in the community. · Provide reference letters from two individuals not related to the candidate. · Provide an official high school transcript. · Complete a brief essay (not to exceed 1,000 words) describing how the candidate best fits into the definition of CLASS. · Complete the online application available at firstcountybank.com/richard-e-taber-citizenship-award-scholarship.
MURTHA CULLINA APPELLATE PRACTICE GROUP RECOGNIZED AS LITIGATION DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR Murtha Cullina LLP has announced that its appellate practice group has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a “Litigation Department of the Year” by the Connecticut Law Tribune. In 2019, Murtha Cullina’s appellate group was involved in cases before the Connecticut Supreme Court, Connecticut Appellate Court, Massachusetts Appeals Court and U. S. Court of Appeals for the First and Second circuits involving insurance coverage for asbestos claims, tort liability, business disputes, municipal law and elections law. The appellate group also represented several organizations in an amicus capacity, including the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Connecticut Bar Association. The Murtha Cullina appellate group is led by Proloy K. Das and comprises more than 20 active attorneys in the firm’s Hartford, New Haven, Stamford and Boston offices. The Connecticut Law Tribune will honor the Litigation Departments of the Year at the annual Connecticut Legal Awards Dinner on May 6.
Information for these features has been submitted by the subjects or their delegates.
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Facts & Figures BUILDING PERMITS Commercial Brunswick School, Greenwich, contractor for Brunswick School. Prepare for a private party at 1252 King St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,000. Filed January 2020. Clark Construction, New Milford, contractor for The Field Club of Greenwich. Perform replacement alterations at 276 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $225,000. Filed December 2019. Greenwich Medical Building, Greenwich, contractor for Greenwich Medical Building. Prepare for a special event at 49 Lake Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $14,753. Filed December 2019. JMLS Consulting Svs. LLC, Monroe, contractor for Easy Street Properties LLC. Renovate store and demise wall at 2 Sound View Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $24,850. Filed January 2020. Premier Custom Construction, Ossining, New York, contractor for Ponderosa Property LLC. Perform replacement alterations at 15 Valley Drive, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $150,000. Filed December 2019. Ray Van Tent & Equipment, Stamford, contractor for St. Michael’s RC Church. Prepare for a private party at 471 North St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2,400. Filed January 2020.
Items appearing in the Fairfield County Business Journal’s On The Record section are compiled from various sources, including public records made available to the media by federal, state and municipal agencies and the court system. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, no liability is assumed for errors or omissions. In the case of legal action, the records cited are open to public scrutiny and should be inspected before any action is taken. Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to: Bob Rozycki c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699
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ON THE RECORD
Ruprecht, Elizabeth B., Greenwich, contractor for Elizabeth B. Ruprecht. Construct a new wall and fireplace at 1 Greenfield Place, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $28,000. Filed January 2020.
Cove Tent Co., Stamford, contractor for Peter and Andrea Resnick. Prepare for a private party at 229 Bedford Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $6,000. Filed January 2020.
Ruprecht, Elizabeth B., Greenwich, contractor for Elizabeth B. Ruprecht. Construct garage at 1 Greenfield Place, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $140,000. Filed Jan. 2020.
Cris R Construction L, Norwalk, contractor for St. Catherine of Siena Church. Replace windows and fire doors at 13 Riverside Ave., Riverside. Estimated cost: $7,500. Filed December 2019.
The Fourwood Nominee RET, Greenwich, contractor for The Fourwood Nominee RET. Build new addition with kitchen, family room, breakfast room and garage at 4 Woodside Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $740,000. Filed December 2019.
Residential Acadia Investment Properties, Greenwich, contractor for Acadia Investment Properties. Remove car garage and master bath, renovate kitchen and guest room at 28 French Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $700,000. Filed January 2020. Adopt a Dog, Greenwich, contractor for the town of Greenwich. Charity event at 100 Arch St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $11,731. Filed December 2019. Baldinucci, Umberto, Cos Cob, contractor for Umberto Baldinucci. Replace siding at 4 Caroline Farms Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $7,000. Filed January 2020. Brass Ring Renovators LLC, New Milford, contractor for Peter B. Levy. Renovate kitchen, interior plumbing and electrical at 18 Mayfair Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $90,000. Filed January 2020. Carbone, Emilio, Riverside, contractor for Emilio Carbone. Change bedroom-bath to dining and living room at 75 Old Orchard Road, Riverside. Estimated cost: $30,000. Filed January 2020. Coppercraft Enterprises, Stamford, contractor for Gregg and Amy Stone. Install a new slate roof and copper work at 21 Wickham Hill Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $90,000. Filed January 2020.
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Darek Franek Construction, Stamford, contractor for Michael Urfirer. Remove existing roof and re-roof 549 North St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $174,300. Filed January 2020. Deluca, Frank, Old Greenwich, contractor for Matt Ranalli. Construct addition for bedroom, bath, laundry and closet at 11 Shadybrook Lane, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $125,000. Filed December 2019. DeMartino, Marc, Farmingville, New York, contractor for Nancy O’Neill. Install stainless steel lining system at 241 Cognewaugh Road, Cos Cob. Estimated cost: $2,300. Filed January 2020. Deverin, Bernard, Westport, contractor for Eva Murr. Finish basement at 37 Hillside Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed January 2020. Economou Stella, Greenwich, contractor for Stella Economou. Perform replacement alterations at 636 Steamboat Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $213,300. Filed January 2020. Edgewater Development LLC, Old Greenwich, contractor for Kenneth Binick. Construct a new single-family dwelling at 83 Winthrop Drive, Riverside. Estimated cost: $800,000. Filed January 2020. Flying Colors Roofing LLC, Brookfield, contractor for Vanessa Maczko. Remove existing roof and re-roof 41 Shady Lane, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed January 2020.
JC Services Inc., Stamford, contractor for Pearl Beach LLC. Perform replacement alterations at 77 Park Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $1,000. Filed January 2020. JTH Builders LLC, Middlebury, contractor for Rockhill Real Estate VII LP. Construct retaining wall at 15 Oak Ridge St., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed January 2020. Katchko Construction Services, Stamford, contractor for Guttin Mathew. Perform replacement alterations at 16 Potter Drive, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $9,000. Filed January 2020. Katchko Construction Services, Stamford, contractor for Guttin Mathew. Perform replacement alterations at 16 Potter Drive, Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $4,000. Filed January 2020. Magna Construction, Stamford, contractor for BPP Lafayette Putnam. Build-out for business occupancy at 1 Lafayette Place, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $60,000. Filed January 2020. Mezias, Christopher, Greenwich, contractor for Christopher Mezias. Change sink at 22 The Avenue, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $2,350. Filed December 2019. My Home Solutions LLC, Plymouth, contractor for Elaine Lai. Remove existing roof and re-roof and complete GAF roof system at 37 Richmond Hill Road, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $80,000. Filed January 2020. Pecora Brothers Inc., Greenwich, contractor for 303 Hamilton LLC. Build new modular home for family dwelling at 303 Hamilton Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $200,000. Filed January 2020. Petra Constructions, North Haven, contractor for 500 WPA LLC. Construct wall and install door for closet at 500 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed December 2019.
Sciulla Augustus, Old Greenwich, contractor for Augustus Sciulla. Renovate single-family dwelling and finish basement at 26 St. Claire Ave., Old Greenwich. Estimated cost: $900,000. Filed January 2020. Sound Beach Partners LLC, Stamford, contractor for SBP Lower Cross LLC. Perform replacement alterations at 70 Lower Cross LLC, Greenwich. Estimated cost: $5,000. Filed December 2019.
COURT CASES Bridgeport Superior Court Acloque, Guyrichard, Bridgeport. Filed by Edgar Myers, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: James Owens Gaston, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-206092601-S. Filed Dec. 18. Barham, Lamont Richard, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Mayme Butler, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Daly Weihing & Bodell, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6092661-S. Filed Dec. 19. Kanengiser, Martin R., et al, Larchmont, New York. Filed by Penni Parker, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Lacava John J. Law Offices LLC, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-206092574-S. Filed Dec. 17.
Mr. Shower Door Inc., et al, Stratford. Filed by Jaime Pettit, Wilton. Plaintiff’s attorney: Corrigan Bruce J. Jr. Law Office, Westport. Action: The plaintiff was taking a shower when the glass door installed by the defendants exploded, thereby injuring the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Case no. FBT-CV-206093422-S. Filed. Jan. 15. Scales, Starr, Monroe. Filed by Dahlia McLeod, Stratford. Plaintiff’s attorney: George W. Ganim Jr., Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6092620-S. Filed Dec. 18. Shop-rite Supermarkets Inc., et al, Keasbey, New Jersey. Filed by Deborah Broccoli, Shelton. Plaintiff’s attorney: Moore O’Brien & Foti, Middlebury. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully on the defendants’ premises when she fell due to an uneven pavement in the pedestrian area of the parking lot, thereby causing the plaintiff to suffer injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-206094074-S. Filed Jan. 31. The Stop and Shop Supermarket Company, et al, Quincy, Massachusetts. Filed by Rosaura Castro, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Rodie & Connolly PC, Stratford. Action: The plaintiff entered the premises of the defendants to purchase groceries when she suddenly slipped on loose rice that was on the floor. The defendant failed to maintain the walking surface in safe conditions. Case no. FBT-CV-20-6093023-S. Filed Jan. 3.
Facts & Figures Danbury Superior Court Coffey, Joseph R., et al, Raleigh, North Carolina. Filed by Cory Cullen, Ridgefield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Richard Arconti, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff and the defendants entered into a one-year lease for a unit. The plaintiff exited his front door when suddenly a large portion of mortar located at the front edge of the top landing broke off causing him to fall to the lower landing and suffered injuries. The defendant failed to inspect the landing and step area. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-206035218-S. Filed Jan. 29. Cooper, David A., Danbury. Filed by Keith A. Erwin, Bethel. Plaintiff’s attorney: Kernan Scully & McDonald LLP, Waterbury. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-206035153-S. Filed Jan. 24. Siegel, Janice, et al, Ridgefield. Filed by Jorge Irizarry, Ridgefield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ventura Law, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6034853-S. Filed Dec. 31.
Starbucks Corp., Seattle, Washington. Filed by Hannah Leahy, Bethel. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ventura Law, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully on the defendant’s premises when she purchased a hot tea and was seated at a table at which she was injured due to the defective condition of the table, thereby causing the hot tea to spill onto the plaintiff who then suffered first-degree burn injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035275-S. Filed Feb. 4. Town of New Fairfield, et al, Fairfield. Filed by James P Hancock, New Fairfield. Plaintiff’s attorney: Self-representation. Action: The plaintiff addresses the defendant for the deprivation of protected rights under the 14th amendment. The defendant failed in procedures and enforcement of public health code, building code and zoning regulation imposed on plaintiff’s property without legitimate purpose. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-5015994-S. Filed Jan. 16. United States of America Internal Revenue Service, et al, New Haven. Filed by Jan L. Kardys, Redding. Plaintiff’s attorney: Lawrence A Levinson PC, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff applied for shares of the excess proceeds on the sale of land taxes for the properties of the defendants. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-20-6035203-S. Filed Jan. 28.
Stamford Superior Court AAC Painting LLC, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Mattera Construction Company LLC, Westport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Lovejoy & Rimer PC, Norwalk. Action: The plaintiff hired the defendant to perform painting services. The plaintiff paid the defendant in advance. As the job was in progress, the plaintiff notified the defendant of defects in the workmanship. The defendant failed to correct the defects and walked off the job and breached the contract. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045118-S Filed Jan. 3. Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc., Monroe. Filed by Brian Rowland, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Stephen James Curley, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff and defendant entered into an agreement in which the plaintiff agreed to provide plant-management services to defendant for an annual salary, bonuses and other benefits. Plaintiff retired from his position and performed the services in such a way as to earn bonuses. Defendant has neglected or refused the bonuses to plaintiff and breached the agreement. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045109-S. Filed Jan. 2. Durgan, Diane M., Clinton. Filed by Emma Scalero, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Berkowitz and Hanna LLC, Shelton. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045229-S. Filed Jan. 10.
ELJ LLC, et al, Bridgeport. Filed by Robert D. Michelman, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Zeldes Needle & Cooper, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff entered into an agreement with the defendants, regarding the purchase of a premises. The plaintiff made an initial deposit and performed inspections of the premises. Based on the inspections there was evidence of environmental contamination and plaintiff elected not to proceed with the purchase of the premises. Defendant has refused to return the deposit to the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $2,500, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-20-6045218-S. Filed Jan. 10. Petro Inc., East Hartford. Filed by Amica Mutual Insurance Co., subrogee of Michael Tartarelli, Lincoln, Rhode Island. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sloane and Walsh LLP, Boston, Massachusetts. Action: The plaintiff was a lawful tenant, when he was caused to slip and fall to the ground of the driveway due to defective, unsafe and slippery conditions, thereby causing him to suffer injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045225-S. Filed Jan. 10. Stanciu, Sorin, et al, Greenwich. Filed by Rogerio Ravanelli, Greenwich. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ventura Law, Danbury. Action: The plaintiff was a lawful tenant, when he was suddenly caused to slip and fall to the ground on the driveway due to defective, unsafe and slippery conditions, thereby causing him to suffer injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-206045304-S. Filed Jan. 21.
DEEDS Commercial 131 Beach Road LLC, Trumbull. Seller: Fidelity Masonic Temple Association, Fairfield. Property: 131 Beach Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1,500,000. Filed Dec. 12. 163 Springer Road LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Jill K. DeLaurentis, Fairfield. Property: 163 Springer Road, Fairfield. Amount: $460,000. Filed Dec. 10. 165 Bennett Street LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, Texas. Property: 165 Bennett St., Fairfield. Amount: $206,100. Filed Nov. 27. Cedar Homes LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Rita Gaspierik, Fairfield. Property: 57 Dunnlea Road, Fairfield. Amount: $385,000. Filed Nov. 22. CGC Properties LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Ivanoba K. Mota, Bridgeport, Property: Unit 152, Colonial Gardens Condominium, Bridgeport. Amount: $41,500. Filed Dec. 4. Hickey, Liam, Fairfield. Seller: John R. Colavito and Donna M. Colavito, Milford. Property: Unit 29, Gould Manor Condominium, Fairfield. Amount: $230,000. Filed Dec. 5. Himalaya Development FL LLC, Fairfield. Seller: Vita Nova LLC, Fairfield. Property: 120 Coach Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $1. Filed Dec. 4. Klaunder, Joseph and Melissa Klaunder, Fairfield. Seller: M&T Bank, Buffalo, New York. Property: 3141 North St., Fairfield. Amount: $690,000. Filed Dec. 6. Lecky Investments LLC, Bridgeport. Seller: John A. Thomas and Noreene A. Thomas, Monroe. Property: Suite 407, Merritt Medical Center, Bridgeport. Amount: $25,000. Filed Dec. 4.
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Malik M. Melody LLC, Bronx, New York. Seller: US Bank National Association, Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 283 Hanover St., Bridgeport. Amount: $56,500. Filed Dec. 4. Navarro, Pedro J. and Jessica Navarro, Fairfield. Seller: Bridget K. Murtha, Fairfield. Property: 221 Alberta St., Fairfield. Amount: $243,900. Filed Dec. 5. Orange County Home Solutions LLC, Monroe, New York. Seller: Robert A. Olah and Susan E. Olah, Trumbull. Property: 201 Brettin St., C-8, Bridgeport. Amount: $69,000. Filed Dec. 4. Saad Inc., Fairfield. Seller: Sylvia G. Dickinson, Fairfield. Property: 77 Gate Ridge Road, Fairfield. Amount: $300,000. Filed Dec. 9. Silloway, Marie H., Fairfield. Seller: 423 Riverside Drive LLC, Wilton. Property: 423 Riverside Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $1,025,000. Filed Dec. 10. Stewart, Michael Joseph and Mary T. Stewart, Fairfield. Seller: 154 Mill Hill Terrace LLC, Shelton. Property: 154 Mill Hill Terrace, Fairfield. Amount: $1,320,000. Filed Nov. 22. Thave LLC, Avon. Seller: Rona Katz, Fairfield. Property: 160 Fairfield Woods Road, Unit 27, Fairfield. Amount: $315,000. Filed Dec. 2. The Compass Rose Property Company, Stamford. Seller: Keith L. Cook and Nancy Husted Cook, Silver Spring, Maryland. Property: 92 Hawthorne Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $395,000. Filed Dec. 16.
Residential Ahmed Noah and Rachel J. Ahmed, New York, New York. Seller: David C. Larson, Fairfield. Property: 177 Old Mill Road, Fairfield. Amount: $826,000. Filed Nov. 25.
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Facts & Figures Alim, Mohammad, Brooklyn, New York. Seller: JP LLC, New York, New York. Property: Hancock Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $305,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Fraizer, Brianne and Bradley Fraizer, Astoria, New York. Seller: Kathryn Meiman, Trumbull. Property: 198 Jackman Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $405,000. Filed Dec. 10.
Massaro, Lisa and Craig Massaro, Fairfield. Seller: D. Charles LLC, Fairfield. Property: 66 Lucille St., Fairfield. Amount: $975,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Shim, Eun and Sung Shim, Fairfield. Seller: Pamela M. Wolf, Fairfield. Property: 1115 Galloping Hill Road, Fairfield. Amount: $650,000. Filed Dec. 11.
Montanez, Frank, et al. Creditor: US Bank National Association, Ewing, New Jersey. Property: 993 Pearl Harbor St., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 19.
Ahluwalia, Neel, Norwalk. $1,306, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 9 Raymond Terrace. Norwalk. Filed Feb. 25.
Amanor-Boadu, Sasraku and Olufunmilayo O. Falade, Hamden. Seller: Philip D’Eramo, Fairfield. Property: 35 Wellington Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $820,000. Filed Dec. 9.
Galluzzo, Rachel, Denver, Colorado. Seller: Susan Shore Sandberg, Fairfield. Property: 365 Penfield Road, Fairfield. Amount: $800,000. Filed Dec. 9.
Moore, Douglas G. and Margaret S. Moore, Fairfield. Seller: Donald C. Walkovik, Fairfield. Property: 33 Old Academy Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1,125,000. Filed Dec. 3.
Smith, Terrance and Linda Smith, Stratford. Seller: Antonio M. Gomes, Bridgeport. Property: 724 Hancock Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $338,000. Filed Dec. 5.
Paniccia, Leonardo, et al. Creditor: Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., Ewing, New Jersey. Property: 10 Deerfield St., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Jan. 27.
Cecil, Joseph J., Norwalk. $6,019, in favor of LH Gault & Son Incorporated, Westport, by Philip H. Monagan, Waterbury. Property: 20 Edline Ave., Norwalk. Filed Feb. 18.
Spence, Valerie, Bronx, New York. Seller: Stephanie Q. Pemberton, Bridgeport. Property: 370 Alba Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $340,000. Filed Dec. 5.
Rocchio, Giovanni I., et al. Creditor: The Success Village Apartments Inc., Bridgeport. Property; 399B Granfield Ave., Building 2, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 14.
Crothers, Scott M., Norwalk. $2,446, in favor of Unifund Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 18 Melbourne Road, Norwalk. Filed Jan. 21.
St. Onge, Joshua E. and Diana L. St. Onge, Fairfield. Seller: Eun Sup Shim and Sung J. Shim, Fairfield. Property: Lots 21 and 22, Map 1005, Fairfield. Amount: $475,000. Filed Dec. 10.
St. Denis, Thomas, et al. Creditor: Capital One NA, Irvine, California. Property: 44 Yarmouth Road, Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Jan. 27.
Tejeda, Karen V., Bridgeport. Seller: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C. Property: 1094 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $150,000. Filed Dec. 4.
Taylor, Cynthia, et al. Creditor: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, Dallas, Texas. Property: 123 Old Belden Hill Road, Unit 31, Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 10.
Boeckle, Kevin, Trumbull. Seller: Stephan Lang, Ontario, Canada. Property: 522 High St., Fairfield. Amount: $200,000. Filed Nov. 25. Brower, Jenna, Fairfield. Seller: Jason A. Chudoba and Yemsrach Chudoba, Fairfield. Property: 109 Farist Road, Fairfield. Amount: $470,000. Filed Nov. 27. Dahdal, Marwan and Manar Dahdal, Bridgeport. Seller: Kathleen A. Lavery, Bridgeport. Property: 683 Jewett Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $168,500. Filed Dec. 4. Davis, Brett Jeffrey, Greenland, New Hampshire. Seller: US Bank National Association, Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 809 Cleveland Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $163,000. Filed Dec. 4. Daza, Cindy and Hector D. Valencia, Stamford. Seller: Mark Anthony M. Abille and Madelaine May F. Abille, Stamford. Property: Unit 55, Silliman Commons Condominium, Fairfield. Amount: $447,500. Filed Dec. 2. DelMolino, Michael and Alice Renee DelMolino, Monroe. Seller: Luke Adovasio and Marie Pomeroy, Fairfield. Property: 105 Chelsea St., Fairfield. Amount: $1,137,500. Filed Dec. 2. DeSanctis, Vincent and Tiffany Gagnon, Stamford. Seller: Vincent J. Koenig and Isabelle Koenig, Davenport, Florida. Property: 18 Gould Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $525,000. Filed Dec. 6.
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MARCH 9, 2020
Grasso, Toni Ann and Zachary Kalipershad Stamford. Seller: Kurt Calash, Fairfield. Property: 65 Rena Place, Fairfield. Amount: $309,000. Filed Nov. 27. Hayes, Kelly, Fairfield. Seller: Conor Coleman, Fairfield. Property: 320 Round Hill Road, Fairfield. Amount: $436,250. Filed Nov. 27. Hill, IV Melvin F. and Lemise Dajani, Stamford. Seller: Thomas F. McElroy, et al, Fairfield. Property: 1020 Old Post Road, Fairfield. Amount: $800,000. Filed Dec. 10. Hyra, Andrew and Rachel Kilpatrick, Redding. Seller: Jon M. Fech, Fairfield. Property: 172 Eastlawn St., Fairfield. Amount: $617,000. Filed Nov. 27. Jenkins, Astuti, Bridgeport. Seller: William J. Boccuzzi Sr., Norwalk. Property: 3012 Madison Ave., Unit G. Bridgeport. Amount: $87,000. Filed Dec. 5. Kayumba, Peggy, New York, New York. Seller: Carlos M. Oliveira and Maria P. Oliveira, Fairfield. Property: 1261 Congress St., Fairfield. Amount: $545,000. Filed Dec. 13. Leonor Arthur, Geraldo Tomas and Yesenia Gomez de Leonor, Bronx, New York. Seller: Nestor E. Galeano and Maria Olga Galeano, Bridgeport. Property: 459 Jennings Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $188,000. Filed Dec. 5. Lowry, Robert P. and Stephanie Jorquera, Fairfield. Seller: 20 Lynnbrook Road Fairfield LLC, Fairfield. Property: 20 Lynnbrook Road, Fairfield. Amount: $535,000. Filed Nov. 21.
FCBJ
Moye, Lucy and Griffin White, Stamford. Seller: Robin Bosch, Lewes, Delaware. Property: 561 S. Pine Creek Road, Fairfield. Amount: $475,000. Filed Nov. 26. Nzewi, Ugochukwu and Ijeoma Nzewi, Trumbull. Seller: Lauren E. Pfleghar, Fairfield. Property: 21 S. Benson Common, Fairfield. Amount: $745,000. Filed Dec. 2. Oliveira, Paulianne A. and Pablo Oliveira, Fairfield. Seller: Kevin M. McCarthy, Guilford. Property: 60-62 Beacon View Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $420,000. Filed Dec. 12. Rist, Brett and Eileen Carino, Fairfield. Seller: Sharon E. Sax and Ellen Ruth Cahn, Fairfield. Property: 1007 Melville Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $440,000. Filed Dec. 9. Rojas, Maria R. and Manuel F. Mellado-Rojas, Bridgeport. Seller: Willa M. Uzarski, Bridgeport. Property: 99 Herald Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $214,000. Filed Dec. 5. Rolfes, Denis and Louise Machado, Ridgefield. Seller: Amy Ulness, Fairfield. Property: 122 Limerick Road, Fairfield. Amount: $740,000. Filed Nov. 26. Ryan, Jean Louise and Peter F. Anderson, Fairfield. Seller: Harry Paul J. Baldeo and Suiselia Baldeo, Fairfield. Property: 45 Kenwood Ave., Fairfield. Amount: $330,525. Filed Dec. 3. Shea, Kyle, Fairfield. Seller: Elza Perigyi, Trumbull. Property: 9 Wildwood Road, Fairfield. Amount: $420,000. Filed Nov. 26.
Trembicki, Bennett and Janine Lind Trembicki, Fairfield. Seller: Patrick W. Bryan and Julia B. Bryan, Fairfield. Property: 139 Northwood Road, Fairfield. Amount: $638,000. Filed Nov. 25.
FORECLOSURES Carrasquillo, Alejandro, et al. Creditor: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Albert Lea, Minnesota. Property: 5 Nob Hill Circle, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb.25. Hubbard, Fay C., et al. Creditor: The Bank of New York Mellon, Coppell, Texas. Property: 125 Ezra St., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 20. Hughes, Randy, et al. Creditor: The Bank of New York, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Property: 94 Day St., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 11. Juchniewich, Paul, et al. Creditor: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Salt Lake City, Utah. Property: 26 Neptune Ave., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 19.
Tesauro, Glen P., et al. Creditor: Ditech Financial LLC, Houston, Texas. Property: 59 Bartlett Ave., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Jan. 27. Thelusca, Rose S., Creditor: The Bank of New York, Anaheim, California Property: 4 Fillow St., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Feb. 14.
JUDGMENTS 4270 Main Street LLC, Trumbull. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: 4270 Main St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18. 4348 Main Street Associates Inc., Trumbull. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: 4348 Main St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18. 4890 Main Street LLC, Trumbull. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: 4890 Main St., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18.
Crothers, Scott M., Norwalk. $2,089, in favor of Unifund Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 18 Melbourne Road, Norwalk. Filed Jan. 21. Englewood of Connecticut Inc., Trumbull. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: 3885 Main St., and 27 and 35 Englewood Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18. Faustine, Tara L., Norwalk. $20,846, in favor of American Express National Bank, Stamford, by Zwicker & Associates PC, Enfield. Property: 7 Mills St., Norwalk. Filed Feb. 10. Fedor, Andrea S., Norwalk. $5,000, in favor of Unifund Corp., Norwalk, by Calistro & Airone LLC, Westbrook. Property: 8 Thistle Cottage, Norwalk. Filed Jan. 10. Harris, Blake Bennett, Norwalk. $5,103, in favor of Norwalk Hospital Association, Norwalk, by Lovejoy and Rimer PC, Norwalk. Property: 19 Naromake Ave., Norwalk. Filed Feb. 25. J.G.V. Builders Inc., Monroe. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: 19 Sequoia Road, Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18.
Facts & Figures Lefkowitch, Cheri, Norwalk. $2,561, in favor of Cavalry SPV I LLC, Valhalla, New York, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 18 Southwind Drive, Norwalk. Filed Jan. 23. Limone, Christine, Norwalk. $2,024, in favor of Unifund Corp., Cincinnati, Ohio, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 9 Hunters Lane, Norwalk. Filed Feb. 13. Main Sequoia LLC, Trumbull. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: 40 Park Drive, Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18. Martinez, Idania, Norwalk. $1,374, in favor of Unifund CCR Partners, Cincinnati, Ohio, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 19 Kellee Drive, Norwalk. Filed Feb. 13. Monaco, Darren, Norwalk. $12,327, in favor of Norwalk Hospital Association, Norwalk, by Lovejoy and Rimer PC, Norwalk. Property: 41 Creeping Hemlock Drive, Norwalk. Filed Dec. 26. Moreira, Danilo, Norwalk. $3,060, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by the Law Offices of Howard Lee Schiff PC, East Hartford. Property: 39 Riverside Ave., Norwalk. Filed Jan. 9. Ross, Joseph F., Norwalk. $4,880, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber Law LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 13 Ryan Ave., Norwalk. Filed Feb. 19. Worldwide Properties LLC, Trumbull. $35,350, in favor of Property Tax Management LLC, Fairfield, by Green and Gross PC, Bridgeport. Property: Lots 20 and 21, Kaechele Place, Bridgeport. Filed Feb. 18.
LIENS Federal Tax Liens Filed
Brank, William L.,19 Oak Ridge St., Stamford. $14,720, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 10.
Paul’s Marble Depot LLC, 40 Warshaw Place, Stamford. $136,614, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2.
Damico, Elizabeth, 20 Stanton Drive, Stamford. $48,798, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2.
Pirron, Kelly, 301 Commons Park South, Unit 1111, Stamford. $27,411, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 9.
Davis, Rosalino V., 47 Ledge Brook Road, Stamford. $6,141, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2.
Quiles, Marilyn, 542 W. Hill Road, Stamford. $8,122, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 11.
Ellia Communications Inc., 121 Towne St., Apartment 507, Stamford. $64,439, civil proceeding tax. Filed Nov. 20. Foster, Christopher J., 201 Commons Park South, Stamford. $17,738, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 5. Godoy Orellana and Marvin Leonel, 36 Orchard St., Stamford. $26,772, civil proceeding tax. Filed Nov. 20. Hilton, Michele A., 10 E. Cross Road, Stamford. $52,790, civil proceeding tax. Filed Nov. 20. Hite, Christopher D., 72 Belltown Road, Stamford. $19,925, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2. Lawler, Judith and Lawrence Lawler, 150 Southfield Ave., Stamford. $5,824, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 9. Longo, Lisa, 830 Hope St., Stamford. $4,295, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 5. Longo, Robert, 830 Hope St., Stamford. $15,304, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 5. Moss, Bernice, 80 Lawn Ave., Unit 2, Stamford. $8,521, civil proceeding tax. Filed Nov. 19. Nirschel, Marcia L. and Martin Nirschel, 215 Fishing Trail, Stamford. $25,370, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2. Onyedika, Chukwuemeka and J. Collier, 50 Old Mill Lane, Stamford. $11,789, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 5.
Rutkowski, Andrzej, 272 Loveland Road, Stamford. $7,661, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 11. Scherban, Jack, 180 Turn of River Road, Unit 1B, Stamford. $13,680, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2. Stroffolino, Richard F., 136 Soundview Cottage, Stamford. $3,749, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 9. Sylvester, Daniel R., 556 Fairfield Ave., Stamford. $57,067, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 9. Urizar, Gueldy G., 100 Pembroke Drive, Stamford. $13,501, civil proceeding tax. Filed Nov. 20. Wynne, Meredith R. and William F. Wynne, 1913 High Ridge Road, Stamford. $26,583, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2.
LIS PENDENS 247 Flax Hill LLC, Norwalk. Filed by Goldman Gruder & Woods LLC, Norwalk, for Flax Hill Funding Associates. Property: 247 Flax Hill Road, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Feb. 24. Cammarota, Joseph L., et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank NA. Property: 77 Mayflower Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 21.
Chabad Lubavitch of Western, et al, Stamford. Filed by Pullman & Comley LLC, Hartford, for Connecticut Community Bank NA. Property: 752-760 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 8.
Kowalczyk, Grazyna, Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Wilmington Savings Fund Society. Property: 19 Oak Hill St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Jan. 13.
Nisbett, Judith C., Norwalk. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Nationstar Mortgage LLC. Property: 4 Mallard Road, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Jan. 13.
Charleston, Fresnal, et al, Stamford. Filed by Vincent J. Freccia, III, Stamford, for the city of Stamford. Property: 191 Frederick St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 21.
Lawler, James, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Company. Property: 65 Old Logging Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 21.
Pacific Union Financial LLC, Stamford. Filed by Vincent J. Freccia, III, Stamford, for the city of Stamford. Property: 155 Little Hill Drive, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Jan. 21.
Lyons, Maureen M., et al, Stamford. Filed by Vincent J. Freccia III, Stamford, for the city of Stamford. Property: 29 Ashton Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 24.
Portuondo, Tricia N., et al, Norwalk. Filed by O’Connell, Attmore & Morris LLC, Hartford, for Bayview Loan Servicing LLC. Property: 442 Main Ave., Unit 23, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Feb. 3.
Connelly, Michael and Bahey LLC, Stamford. Filed by the Law Offices of Peter V. Lathouris LLC, Stamford, for Totilo & Company LLC. Property: 247-249 Knickerbocker Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 16. Doonan, Philomena, et al, Stamford. Filed by Halloran & Sage LLP, Hartford, for The Washington Trust Company. Property: Lot B, Map 8520, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 21. Engle, Caitlin V., Norwalk. Filed by MaCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Midfirst Bank. Property: 44 Emerson St., Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Jan. 16. Escobar, Luis A., et al, Norwalk. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Bank of America NA. Property: 9 Rolling Lane, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Feb. 12. Estiverne, Marlene, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank National Association. Property: 36 William St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Jan. 27. Herrera, Deyanira Del Carmen, et al, Stamford. Filed by O’Connell, Attmore & Morris LLC, Hartford, for The Bank of New York Mellon. Property: 95 Soundview Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 16.
Marroquin, Abel, et al, Stamford. Filed by Vincent J. Freccia III, Stamford, for the city of Stamford. Property: 21 Church St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 24. Massa Properties III LLC, Stamford. Filed by Zeldes, Needle & Cooper PC, Bridgeport, for 22 Glenbrook Road Condominium. Property: 22 Glenbrook Road, Unit 404, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Jan. 22.
Rosales, Edwin, et al, Norwalk. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust. Property: 6 Lyncrest Drive Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 31. Savvidis, Elsi, et al, Norwalk. Filed by Pease & Dorio PC, Farmington, for Webster Bank NA. Property: 106C Comstock Hill Ave., Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Feb. 3.
McManus, Lynda B., Norwalk. Filed by Glass & Braus LLC, Fairfield, for Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.. Property: 20 Van Ness St., Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed Feb. 20.
Sharma, Amit, et al, Norwalk. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Harborone Mortgage LLC. Property: 115 Flax Hill Road, Unit 5, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 22.
Mills, Carol O., et al, Norwalk. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for US Roof IV Legal Title Trust 2015-1. Property: 6 Hunters Lane, Norwalk. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Feb. 12.
Trevino, Rafael, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for US Bank National Association. Property: 16 Hedge Brook Lane, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 27.
Mitra, Kristi, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Round point Mortgage Servicing Corp. Property: 1903 Long Ridge Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed Jan. 21.
MORTGAGES Davis, Matthew and Sara Davis, Stamford, by Marie Tieri Lender: Quicken Loans Inc., 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan. Property: 74 Rachelle Ave., Stamford. Amount: $342,300. Filed Nov. 22.
Becerra, Angel M., 43 Dolsen Place, Stamford. $18,505, civil proceeding tax. Filed Dec. 2.
FCBJ
MARCH 9, 2020
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Facts & Figures Dowdle, Austin R. and John D. Dowdle, Stamford, by Mary Wilcox. Lender: Finance of America Mortgage LLC, 300 Welsh Road, Horsham, Pennsylvania. Property: 1 Broad St., Unit 33A, Stamford. Amount: $484,000. Filed Nov. 15.
Juricek, Steven and Wynne Juricek, Stamford, by Daniel Walsh. Lender: FM Home Loans LLC, 2329 Nostrand Ave., Third floor. Brooklyn, New York. Property: 105 Sutton Drive East, Stamford. Amount: $388,000. Filed Nov. 27
Preising, Carlos Ricardo, et al, Stamford, by Stephen J. Carriero. Lender: Loandepot.com LLC, 26642 Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, California. Property: 52 Snow Crystal Lane, Stamford. Amount: $455,595. Filed Nov. 21.
Edwards, Marcia Y., Stamford, by Robert J. Yamin. Lender: Mutual Security Credit Union Inc., P.O. Box 2489, Shelton. Property: 27B Nelson St., Stamford. Amount: $138,500. Filed Nov. 15.
Kerr-Smith, Tanya, Stamford, by Douglas B. Seltzer. Lender: HomeBridge Financial Services Inc., 194 Wood Ave., Iselin, New Jersey. Property: 58 George St., Stamford. Amount: $322,957. Filed Nov. 15.
Press, Jordan and Caitlin Press, Stamford, by Harvey Melzer. Lender: Savings Bank of Danbury, 220 Main St., Danbury. Property: 30 Chestnut Hill Lane, Stamford. Amount: $540,000. Filed Nov. 15.
Lavoie, Stephen and Elizabeth Lavoie, Stamford, by Robert A. Pacelli. Lender: Bank of America NA, 101 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina. Property: 2 Cider Mill Road, Stamford. Amount: $624,000. Filed Nov. 26.
Rabadi, Murrad, Stamford, by Vincent C. Robitaille. Lender: TD Bank NA, 2035 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware. Property: 35 Wardwell St. Stamford. Amount: $448,000. Filed Dec. 2.
Garrido, Juan, Stamford, by Louis A. Afonso. Lender: E Mortgage Management LLC, 3 Executive Campus, Suite 520, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Property: 44 Cowan Ave., Stamford. Amount: $330,000. Filed Nov. 19.
Norwalk Marble & Granite LLC, 170 Carrie St., Bridgeport 06607, c/o Walter Duarte. Filed Jan. 31.
Comp Design of Connecticut LLC, 900 Madison Ave., Suite 207, Bridgeport 06606, c/o Kevin Carbone. Filed Jan. 30,
OMC Fulfillment, 6 Benstone St., Stamford 06905, c/o Oscar M. Condor. Filed Dec. 27.
DCH Publishing, 597 Pacific St., Stamford 06902, c/o Dorias Haywood. Filed Dec. 26.
Pietro Barbershop, 534 E. Main St., Bridgeport 06608, c/o Elliot Lopez. Filed Feb. 5.
El Salvador Restaurant, 2367 E. Main St., Bridgeport 06610, c/o Rosali Umanzor. Filed Jan. 30,
Rulli Cleaning Service, 39 Maple Tree Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Roberto Rulli. Filed Dec. 27.
Great Wall, 219 Atlantic St., Stamford 06901, c/o Qiang Zheng. Filed Dec. 31.
Salty Girls Treasures, 4 Sussex Place, Stamford 06905, c/o Amy Lavalle. Filed Jan. 3.
Great Wall, 219 Atlantic St., Stamford 06901, c/o Fucheng LLC. Filed Jan. 2.
Sherry’s Munchkins, 22 Ranson St., Stamford 06902, c/o Aisha Roacher. Filed Dec. 30.
Miller, Jason and Joanna Love, Stamford, by Brent Madho. Lender: Quicken Loans Inc., 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan. Property: 221 Trinity Pass, Stamford. Amount: $540,000. Filed Nov. 20.
Weerasinghe, Senarath and Deepika N. Weerasinghe, Stamford, by Michael R. Lowitt. Lender: HSBC Bank USA NA, 452 Fifth Ave., New York, New York. Property: 58 Barlett Lane, Stamford. Amount: $109,750. Filed Nov. 15.
House of Style, 1741 E. Main St., Bridgeport 06610, c/o Miguel Angel Martinez. Filed Feb. 3.
Pedone, Andre, Stamford, by Benjamin McEachin. Lender: TD Bank NA, 2035 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware. Property: 138 W. Hill Road, Stamford. Amount: $970,000. Filed Nov. 15.
Whitehead, Edward, Stamford, by Mary Wilcox. Lender: Home Point Financial Corp., 9 Entin Road, Suite 200, Parsippany, New Jersey. Property: 26 Old Barn Road, Stamford. Amount: $224,786. Filed Nov. 15.
Ibooks, 22 Upland Road, Stamford 06906, c/o Charles M. Hair. Filed Jan. 2.
Zavala-Frias, Cecilia, Stamford, by Mary Wilcox. Lender: Home Point Financial Corp., 9 Entin Road, Suite 200, Parsippany, New Jersey. Property: 182 Lockwood Ave., Stamford. Amount: $267,308. Filed Nov. 15.
Kurysh Construction, 123 Seaton Road, Apt. 2, Stamford 06902, c/o Igor Kurysh. Filed Dec. 27.
Lievano, Caitlin and Jose Ignacio Lievano Gomez, Stamford, by James M. Rubino. Lender: Citibank NA, 1000 Technology Drive, O’Fallon, Montana. Property: 43 Field St., Stamford. Amount: $584,000. Filed Dec. 2.
Hall, John and Susan Hall, Stamford, by Stephen J. Carriero. Lender: First County Bank, 117 Prospect St., Stamford. Property: 89 Vineyard Lane, Stamford. Amount: $135,000. Filed Dec. 2. Hernandez, Graciela and Ramon Hernandez, Stamford, by Thomas W. Ozimkoski. Lender: Freedom Mortgage Corp., 907 Pleasant Valley Ave. Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 19 Albin Road. Stamford. Amount: $602,468. Filed Nov. 18.
Analyst, Business Development (Greenwich, CT): Analyze and convey investment strategies to clients and prospects. Complete requests for proposals and prepare financial materials detailing investment strategies, due diligence questionnaires, and quarterly and annual reporting. Evaluate complex investment strategies in a variety of asset classes, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, and currency, to articulate to clients how value-based and momentum-based investing contribute to outperformance. Utilize MS Excel including VLOOKUP, MATCH, OFFSET, pivot tables, conditional formatting and statements, ABS, and Solver functions. Conduct due diligence calls, as well as complete and review due diligence questionnaires. Create pitchbooks and custom competitor and industry analyses. Req’s Bachelor’s degr plus 1 yr exp. Mail resume to: AQR Capital Management, LLC, ATTN: S. Rao, 2 Greenwich Plaza, Greenwich, CT 06830. Must Ref: DR-AQR-003. AQR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO/VET/DISABILITY
MARCH 9, 2020
Cinco Estrellas Unisex Salon LLC, 2673 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Yasmin Bautista. Filed Feb. 3.
My CT Apparel My Connecticut, 145 Newfield Ave., First floor, Bridgeport 06607, c/o Wanda Simmdas, Filed Feb. 4.
Ryan, Lindsay and Tara Ryan, Stamford, by Brent Madho. Lender: Quicken Loans Inc., 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Michigan. Property: 15 Randall Ave., Stamford. Amount: $585,248. Filed Nov. 25.
Goodall, Laura M. and Michael J. Goodall, Stamford, by Laura A. McGeachy. Lender: Citibank NA, 1000 Technology Drive, O’Fallon, Montana. Property: 3090 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Amount: $772,000. Filed Nov. 15.
22
Boston Variety LLC, 788790 Boston Ave., Bridgeport 06610, c/o Marquis Lawson. Filed Feb. 4.
FCBJ
NEW BUSINESSES Aesthetics Solutions by Vee LLC, 1628 Capitol Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Vielha J. Pena. Filed Feb. 4.
I B M G, 22 Upland Road, Stamford 06906, c/o Charles Hair. Filed Dec. 30.
Intuitive Books Management Group, 22 Upland Road, Stamford 06906, c/o Charles Hair. Filed Dec. 30.
Lulu’s Home Daycare, 70 Schuyler Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Maria de Lourdes Lopez. Filed Dec. 30. Maintenance Rodrigos, 45 Taff Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Juan Pablo Molina Mendoza. Filed Dec. 30.
Trinity Cremation Service, 453 Shippan Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Terenzio Funeral Service LLC. Filed Dec. 27. Tutti Pazzi, 269 Bedford St., Stamford 06901, c/o Hala LLC. Filed Dec. 30. Strict, 1 Blachley Road, No. 102, Stamford 06902, c/o Golfzon Connecticut Management LLC. Filed Dec. 30.
PATENTS Adaptation enhancement for a road noise cancellation system. Patent no. 10,580,399 issued to Kevin J. Bastyr, Franklin, Michigan. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. Auto-color copy in software-based image path. Patent no. 10,582,091 issued to Xing Li, Webster; Peter McCandlish, Penfield; Clara Cuciurean-Zapan, Fairport. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.
Dielectric ink composition. Patent no. 10,577,515 issued to Naveen Chopra, Oakville, California; Sarah J. Vella, Milton, California; Biby Esther Abraham, Toronto, Cananda; Cuong Vong, Hamilton, Canada. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. Distinguishing original from copy using ultraviolet light to reveal hidden security printing features. Patent no. 10,582,078 issued to Edward N. Chapman, Rochester. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. Method and apparatus for releasing a secure print job between users. Patent no. 10,579,313 issued to Vinothraja Packirisamy, Thiruvarur, india; Vijayanand Sakthivel, Erode, India; Arun Vengat Srinivasan, Chennai, India. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. Powders for laser sintering. Patent no. 10,577,458 issued to Valerie Farrugia, Oakville, California; Edward G. Zwartz, Mississauga, Canada; Sandra J. Gardner, Oakville, California. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. Sports headphone with situational awareness. Patent no. 10,582,288 issued to James E. Kirsch, Salt Lake City, Utah; Jeffrey Hutchings, Sandy, Utah. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. System and method for verifying the cure of ultraviolet curable materials in a three-dimensional 3D object printer. Patent no. 10,576,754 issued to Peter J. Knausdorf, Henrietta; Jack T. LeStrange, Macedon; Anthony S. Condello, Webster; Mandakini Kanungo, Penfield; Xin Yang, Webster. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. System for managing multiple levels of privacy in documents. Patent no. 10,579,811 issued to David Russell Vandervort, Walworth. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk. Voice recognition-based dialing. Patent no. 10,582,046 issued to Jianjun Ma, Shanghai, China; Liping Hu, Shanghai, China; Richard Allen Kreifeldt, Shanghai, China. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.
Fairfield County
DOCTORS of DISTINCTION
Saluting those who go beyond the diagnosis
2020
DEADLINE: April 10 • NOMINATE AT: westfaironline.com/events
RECOGNIZING COMPASSIONATE CARE
Celebrating extraordinary health care providers who go above and beyond, to provide top-quality care and service to patients in the Fairfield County area.
AWARDS EVENT: May 21
AWARD CATEGORIES: All In The Family No Land Too Far Cutting Edge Caring For All Female Trailblazer Promise For The Future • Lifetime Achievement • • • • • •
Urgent Care Center Team Support Staff Power Couple Biomedical Breakthrough • Health Executive Of The Year • • • • •
WestfairOnline For event information, contact: Olivia D'Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorship inquiries, contact: Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545.
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BRONZE SPONSOR:
FCBJ
MARCH 9, 2020
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More than 20,000 votes were tallied
Mill Management Inc. 203.531.7480 The Mill ~ 10 Glenville Street ~ Greenwich, Connecticut 06831
S ay S o m e t h i n g s w e e t
The seven BEST OF THE BEST will be announced soon in the categories of Most Entrepreneurial, Most Family-friendly, Greenest, Most Pet-friendly, Most Promising for upcoming generations, Most Socially Conscious and Most Visionary. Join us in celebrating the Best Companies in Fairfield County.
Tuesday, April 28 • 5 p.m. • $35 registration fee at the Crowne Plaza • 2701 Summer St., Stamford
Business organizations partnering with the Fairfield County Business Journal are: Bridgeport Regional Business Council, The Business Council of Fairfield County, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Chamber of Commerce, Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce For information, contact: Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorships, contact: Barbara Hanlon at bhanlon@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0766.
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SILVER SPONSORS:
BRONZE SPONSOR:
HOSPITALITY SPONSOR: