FAIRFIELD COUNT Y
BUSINESS JOURNAL
YOUR ONLY SOURCE FOR LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS • westfaironline.com Bob Rozycki
Vol 48, No. 15 • April 9, 2012
FCBJ TODAY Is Conn. filmmaking headed south? Or South by Southwest? … 2
Blumenthal: Bill is ‘fatally flawed’
The startup appeal of the franchise – the franchisor, that is. 3
BY CAROL E. CURTIS
Op-ed: Education reform – in name only? … 4 W.R. Berkley gives a hoot about a blogger’s acid posts … 7
In the field: Helicopter crash hits GE with $70 million verdict … 8 The List: the leading list of PR firms … 12 Special report: As Facebook goes, so goes WebMediaBrands … 13 Also … “To allow sales people with minimal (experience) to estimate the value of property for a lender in this post-Lehman Brothers’ climate is unfathomable.” 5
MEDIA PARTNER
JOBS Act schism
Joseph Saccomano, a managing partner with Jackson Lewis
ccurtis@westfairinc.com With the JOBS Act about to become law, including provisions permitting crowd funding and general solicitation, Connecticut officials were split on whether it will be good or bad for the state’s businesses and investors. The bill passed the U.S. Senate March 27 by a vote of 73 - 26. After final House approval, needed because the Senate amended the House version, the bill has now been sent to President Obama, who is expected to sign it. The JOBS Act is important to Fairfield County because it will help small businesses and venture capitalists raise money. It will also allow hedge funds and private equity firms to advertise for the first time. But opponents argue it could be nothing short of a disaster for investors. “I believe the JOBS Act is fatally flawed in
Act, page 6
Bias claims on the rise Recession proves a double-edged sword for victims BY CAROL E. CURTIS
ccurtis@westfairinc.com
L
ocal sexual discrimination cases rose “dramatically” in the wake of the financial crisis, according to an attorney with the workplace law firm Jackson Lewis L.L.P., but some victims may have kept quiet due to worries about keeping or finding a job. Leading up to the financial crisis, Jackson Lewis saw comparatively few gender discrimination and bias cases, according to Joseph Saccomano, a managing partner in the White Plains, N.Y. office of Jackson Lewis, which also has a Stamford office. But that changed in 2009 and 2010, when the caseload in the area rose dramatically at his firm.
“It is almost as if we are back in the early 1990s,” Saccomano said. Saccomano was part of a panel of experts that convened at Valbella restaurant in Greenwich, in a roundtable organized by Westfair Communications Inc., publisher of the Bias, page 6
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, right, and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes are on opposite sides of the JOBS Act aisle.
Pulling back the curtain
Film offers insider’s view of Bear Stearns collapse BY ALEXANDER SOULE
casoule@westfairinc.com
N
ick Verbitsky has the skinny on corporate texts, mortgage lies and boardroom videotape. And the movie he created from these scintillating subjects is soon coming to a theater near you. The Connecticut Film Festival is premiering “Confidence Game” at its Danbury confab in late April, with the Blue Chip
Films documentary focused on the collapse of Bear Stearns and the burst of the mortgage finance balloon. It marks the first theatrical film by Norwalk-based Blue Chip Films, which Verbitsky founded initially to produce corporate video work, only to broaden later into TV projects. “Confidence Game” is not the first documentary to chronicle the underpinnings Curtain, page 6
Excessive editing limits film tax credit BY ALEXANDER SOULE
casoule@westfairinc.com
W
hen the credits roll later this month for “Confidence Game” and other works at the Connecticut Film Festival, Tom Carruthers is confident of this – the sooner the state ends the shifting, shell game with its movie tax credit, the easier his job will become in rolling out the red carpet to filmmakers near and far.
its main event in Danbury at the end of this month. Anchoring this year’s festival is “Confidence Game,” a documentary on the collapse of Bear Stearns and its ramifications, produced by Ridgefield resident Nick Verbitsky and his Blue Chip Films in Norwalk. Verbitsky said he actually secured a tax credit for “Confidence Game,” but hasn’t been able to take advantage of it because Blue Chip Film’s out-of-pocket costs don’t
Oscars: “The King’s Speech” and “Slumdog Millionaire.” If not the slums of the moviemaking world, Connecticut is no Camelot either – and Carruthers suggested the state was well on its way there in 2006. “There’s a whole cottage industry that could have started here a couple years ago. Can you imagine hundreds of (small producers) all around the state?” The Connecticut Film Festival will receive some 1,000 submissions this year
from filmmakers, culling the list to perhaps 175 and screening them at 85 events around the state, including the four-day festival in Danbury starting April 26. “In 2006 … it was flat-out the most competitive tax credit in the country,” Carruthers said. “There was a whole bunch of plans, and I think some of them didn’t come to fruition because the economy tanked. That was the biggest problem right there. But if the state was to go back to the tax credit from 2006, all these guys … would be producing films here.”
Film production far from the marquee
I A small crowd throngs a 2009 Connecticut Film Festival premiere.
Six years after installing a 30 percent tax credit on film and digital media productions – then editing down the incentives – Connecticut has cut down what was fast becoming an A-list movie shooting location to the industry equivalent of an extra. The state is now eliminating funding to train film industry workers in Connecticut. “You hate to see it eliminated, but I think in the overall scheme of things there are other needs that were more important than the film industry,” said Glenn Marshall, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor, in testimony to a Connecticut General Assembly committee. “Unfortunately, we had to cut someplace.” As a result, major moviemakers appear to be cutting Connecticut from the list of shooting locations. In 2007, it was Steven Spielberg filming “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in the streets of New Haven; fast forward to April 2012, it is “Dead Souls” under production by NBC Universal’s Chiller TV – and not much else destined for theaters, though the television industry continues to gain steam. Carruthers has done as much as anyone in working to raise the state’s profile with filmmakers, through his organization of the Connecticut Film Festival, a year-long series of screenings and seminars culminating in
come close to qualifying. He did cash in on a TV series called “Intersections” produced for the Speed Channel. One problem with Connecticut’s tax credit for producers like Verbitsky is that they cannot be applied to money spent out of state if not for items used in state. While that works fine for television producers such as NBC Sports, which is moving its main studio operations to Stamford, for filmmakers who live in the saddle it is another. Verbitsky would have liked to use the credit for shows on polygamy in the southwestern United States he produced for WE tv’s “Secret Lives of Women,” but the project required going there. “If I hire a Connecticut crew to go shoot in Arizona – not acceptable,” Verbitsky said. “I mean, they are going to come back and spend the money here. Those are the things that just mystify me … It doesn’t make any sense.” There’s no mystery to Carruthers’ ultimate goal – to build the Connecticut Film Festival into an event comparable to South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, which also encompasses music and digital media, or New York City’s Tribeca Film Festival or the Toronto International Film Festival. In Toronto, moviegoers have picked two films for a “people’s choice award” the past five years that went on to win best-picture
f Blue Chip Films has successfully made the jump from corporate video to documentary film and TV work, Francisca Bogdan has moved in the opposite direction since moving to the United States. Today, Bogdan runs Creative Video Corp. in Norwalk, which focuses nearly exclusively on corporate and commemorative videos. Her clients have included General Electric Co., Pepperidge Farm and Xerox Corp. among others.
online, specialists like Creative Video Corp. continue to find a niche. A website called ProductionHub.com lists 20 corporate video companies in Fairfield County, a partial list of the available pool of production options that expands mightily if including New York City and Westchester County, N.Y. Despite the competition, Bogdan found a ready market immediately, with her first significant contract producing a video on GE’s preparations for the anticipated year 2000 computer glitch. In 2007, a commissioned piece she did on the life of an early woman aviator took a bronze medal in the New York Festivals International Film & Video Awards. And two years before, a GE piece she did took the top award at the New York chapter of the International Francisca Bogdan’s Creative Video Corp. is one of a small swath of corporate Association of Business video producers in Fairfield County. Communicators. The corporate video Before moving to the United States in industry has its own Cannes festival – the the mid-1980s, Bogdan worked on docu- Cannes Corporate Media and TV Awards, mentary films in her home country of Chile, largely the province of major consumer including one on the rainforest that she products companies. Last year’s winners thinks helped bring about a change in envi- included Boehringer Ingelheim, which has ronmental policy there. its U.S. headquarters in Ridgefield. Bogdan entered the industry as In corporate top-heavy Fairfield County, Massachusetts-based Avid Technology video production remains a competitive debuted computer servers and software that industry. revolutionized video editing. “For me, it was a challenge … It was like, “I saw myself in a digital world, and I ‘You are giving me this opportunity, I will realized there was a niche at that time at not let you down,’” Bogdan said. “You make delivering their communications in a more a mistake with video and they are not going efficient way,” Bogdan said. to hire you again. I’m an extension of them.” With software now readily available – Alexander Soule to create video and graphics and post it
2 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
RDS_FCBJad_Apr12_JZinno:RDS_FCBJad_Apr12_JZinno
Startup squared Career-changer starts anew with ‘new’ franchisor BY ALEXANDER SOULE
casoule@westfairinc.com
B
arbara Levine has worked in big corporations as well as in small businesses. When the time came to start her own business, rather than going with levine a big franchise, she purposely latched onto a small franchisor – a startup franchisor, in fact. Levine runs Chyten Premier Tutoring and Test Preparation, running a student center in New Canaan. After a career in business development in the pharmaceutical industry and others, she elected to branch out on her own via a franchise. If some enter franchising to learn the ropes of running a business with the goal of their own startup one day, Levine did so merely to achieve the goal of owning her own business immediately without the attendant headaches. But there was an appeal to joining a franchise company that in itself was a startup. “I liked the fact that Chyten was new at the time,” Levine said. “I wanted to get in on the ground floor. I like the process of helping a company grow and thrive. “I’m in the second stage of my career and it will be my last,” she said. “I didn’t want to spend five years developing … systems for marketing and scheduling and building a business.” She is not alone – in mid-March, the International Franchise Association debuted a franchise business index designed by IHS Global Insight with data back to 2000. The index shows six consecutive months of improvement, but IHS and IFA now predict a slower pace of new
franchises this year, at 1.6 percent growth, down from a December prediction of 1.9 percent. Entrepreneur magazine lists Chyten among its top 20 “new” franchisors in the United States, a tag Chyten earned despite having been at it for five years, expanding to a franchise model on the eve of the recession. Through 2011, the Lexington, Mass.-based company has pieced together a franchise system totaling three dozen locations; Massachusetts is also home to Get in Shape for Women, ranked seventh on the Entrepreneur list of the top new franchisors. Get in Shape for Women has locations in Greenwich, Westport and Fairfield, and sites are on the way for Darien and Trumbull. In a field that Entrepreneur touts among the most competitive in franchising, with established names such as Sylvan Learning Centers and plenty of nonfranchise, locally owned competitors in wealthy Fairfield County, it was a daunting proposition. And no small number of franchise opportunities were before her – Entrepreneur magazine lists 60 in all in the education sector, with startup costs ranging from $27,000 (Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services) to $264,000 (C2 Education Centers Inc., which has several locations in metropolitan New York City and New Jersey, but as of deadline none in Connecticut). Entrepreneur lists Chyten’s startup costs ranging between $116,000 and $220,000. Levine said she was able to foot Chyten’s startup costs on her own dime. The recession prompted the Small Business Administration to expand its loan guarantee program to cover new franchisees, which the CEO of the International Franchise Association termed “a lifeline to the franchise industry” as commercial lending became more difficult to obtain.
3/23/12
9:51 AM
Page 1
RDSCINTO TENANT PROFILE JOHN A. ZINNO JR., CPA NAME:
John A. Zinno Jr., CPA TITLE:
Partner-in-Charge, Shelton Office COMPANY:
BlumShapiro - Accounting | Tax | Business Consulting
WEBSITE:
www.blumshapiro.com
PROFILE:
John is an audit partner and the Partner-in-Charge of BlumShapiro’s Shelton Office. BlumShapiro is the largest regional accounting, tax and business consulting firm based in New England. John started with the firm in 1989 upon graduation from Assumption College and was promoted to partner in January 2000. As a partner with over 20 years of experience, John services a variety of privately held businesses and their owners. He also serves as the director of services to educational institutions. John resides in Middlebury, Connecticut with his wife Lisa and two children, Olivia and Jake. He is very active in his community by serving as a board of director in a volunteer capacity for The Palace Theater of Waterbury, The Greater Waterbury YMCA and St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation. BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY:
Be good to people and good things will follow FAVORITE BOOK:
Good to Great FAVORITE MOVIE:
Hoosiers FAVORITE QUOTE:
“The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.” – Vince Lombardi FAVORITE LANDLORD:
Bob Scinto!!!
FAIR ARGUMENT “I invest in … high-tech companies, and the big word there is ‘gamification.’ What they’re trying to do is take from those (video) games and make the educational process so fascinating, so completely all-consuming, just like those games ... Those are the kind of things that we have to be open to in terms of (educational) remediation.”
Robert D. Scinto, Inc. OWNER/DEVELOPER/BUILDER/MANAGER
Building more than just buildings.
203.929.6300 www.scinto.com
– Gary Holloway, former chairman of Five Mile Capital, Stamford. FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012
3
GUEST VIEW • Main office telephone. . . . . . . . (914) 694-3600 • Newsroom fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 694-3680 • Sales fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 694-3699 • Research fax. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (914) 694-3682 • Editorial e-mail. . . . . casoule@westfairinc.com
‘Get this done’ By LOU BACH
I
n approving – in name only – Gov. Dannel Malloy’s sweeping education bill, the state legislature’s Education Committee stripped out key reforms designed to give Connecticut’s young people the skills they need to succeed in life.
The committee’s revised version of Senate Bill 24 calls for more studies of important reforms – such as linking teacher performance to tenure – and creates delays in processes for turning around chronically underperforming schools. However, lawmakers are calling the revised legislation a work in progress that will very likely be changed again before it comes to the legislature for final votes. Malloy said his administration would continue to work with legislators toward enacting meaningful reform. “We can’t wait,” he wrote in a letter to lawmakers after the committee vote. “If we wait, we are consigning children to another year in which they will continue to fall behind their peers. The farther behind they fall, the less likely they are to ever catch up.” The business community also is urging lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to work with urgency to repair the bill in a way that restores real reforms. Employers believe it is long past the time for more studies. After decades of falling scores and failing schools,
Connecticut cannot afford to delay real reform any longer. Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New York – states facing the same economic and political challenges as Connecticut – have all adopted reforms such as those contained in the original SB 24. While Connecticut has delayed, these competitor states have advanced in educational progress, narrowing their achievement gaps and improving outcomes for all students. Unfortunately, the new version of SB 24 will keep Connecticut’s young people on the sidelines as these and other states keep moving ahead. There are more than 120 schools in the state that have failed to show progress in improving student performance for more than five years. The Massachusetts reform model, which was in the original SB 24, would demand that the commissioner of education take action and start to reconstitute those schools so that they actually do something for the student. While our neighbors are turning out graduates ready to succeed in today’s workforce, Connecticut continues to lag far behind. Low-income students in this state are now competing on a level with peers in rural Mississippi and Alabama. In spite of this reality, the Land of Steady Habits would stay in mediocrity if key measures were delayed in
deference to the make-believe need for further “study” details in the governor’s proposal. What’s more, some legislators continue to blame poverty for low achievement. Poverty results from a lack of education, not the other way around. Public schools should provide a means to escape cycles of poverty. Excusing a failing school system because of students’ meager circumstances is unconscionable. Connecticut still has a chance to make real reform a reality, but it will be difficult. The governor’s original proposal offers bold ideas that are neither radical nor new. We can continue to ignore the reality of our neighbors’ successes and fail our neediest children or we can come together across party lines, roll up our sleeves and get this done. Recent polling indicates that Connecticut residents support the governor’s proposals, with 54 percent in favor of improving the teacher tenure system and 67 percent in favor of merit pay for exceptional teachers. It is time for urgent action to improve public education for all students in the state.
I read the article by Carol E. Curtis on the Connecticut attorney general turning his attention to helping investors. I think everyone leaves out a serious part of the picture – people like me, the homeowner. I have a proper mortgage and pay my bills every month. But I see the value of my home decreasing substantially. The decrease comes from foreclosures in my area, which lower the
comps, which in turn lower the banks’ assessed valuations. The lower valuation means that banks will lend less, so the prices of homes come down. The lower valuations also put homes possibly underwater and the banks won’t modify the mortgage. So my question is: How will homeowners like me receive compensation from the mortgage settlement, specifically for the decline in home prices caused by foreclosure? You mention investors and fore-
www.westfaironline.com Publisher • Dee DelBello Managing Editor • Bob Rozycki
News
Fairfield County Bureau Chief • Alexander Soule Records Reporter • George Cassidy Reporters • Carol E. Curtis • Patrick Gallagher • John Golden • Mary Shustack • Zoë Zellers Research Director • Alissa Frey
Advertising Sales
Sales Manager • Anne Jordan Duffy Account Executives • Barbara Stewart Hanlon • Dan Vierno • Kristina Cook Director Digital Sales • Thomas Spanos Programs and Projects Coordinator • Beverly Visosky
Production
Department Director • Alison Kouzmanoff Art Director • Caitlin Nurge Digital Media Manager • Ryan Doran Digital Media Designer • Olga Loginova
Circulation
Director of Circulation • Holly Gallicchio Circulation Representative • Marcia Rudy
Administration
Chief Operating Officer • Michael Gallicchio Chief Financial Officer • Marie T. Orser Office Manager • Sylvia Sikoutris
Lou Bach specializes in education issues for the Connecticut Business & Industry Association. He can be reached at lou.bach@cbia.com.
Being fair to all homeowners To the editor:
Or write to: Fairfield County Business Journal 3 Gannett Drive, Suite G7 White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407
closed owners, but others have also been hurt. All property values took a hit during the crisis, but no one looks at this with a view to helping repair the damage. If the attorney general is to do something, it should be fair to all Connecticut residents who own a home. The attorney general represents us all. Rick Castro New Fairfield
Fairfield County Business Journal (USPS# pending) is published Weekly, 52 times a year by Westfair Communications, Inc., 3 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. Application to mail at Periodicals Postage rates is pending at White Plains, NY, USA 10610. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Fairfield County Business Journal: Westfair Communications, Inc., 3 Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604. More than 40 percent of the Business Journal is printed on recycled newsprint. © 2012 Westfair Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited
Have your say
The Business Journal welcomes letters to the editor and opinion columns. Submissions must include the writer’s name, home or business address, email address and telephone number for verification purposes. The Business Journal reserves the right to edit submissions for accuracy, style and space considerations. Email submissions to casoule@westfairinc.com. Submissions may appear in print and online.
4 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
Opinions split on RE bill
BY ALEXANDER SOULE
casoule@westfairinc.com
I
n a turf war of sorts, appraisers are fighting a Connecticut bill that would allow real estate agents and brokers to make informal, “walk-around” price opinions on properties as part of the mortgage or sale process. “We have witnessed the near collapse of our mortgage and finance industries over the last four years,” said Al Franke, managing director of Grubb & Ellis Landauer Valuation Advisory Service, which runs its Connecticut operations in Stamford. “We are still climbing out of the rubble. To allow salespeople with minimal education, training, and experience requirements to estimate the value of property for a lender in this post-Lehman Brothers’ climate is unfathomable.” Franke said agents and brokers have an inherent conflict of interest in wanting listings – not to mention the motivation of making a quick sale to limit the time, effort, or out-of-pocket advertising dollars that are normally part of the listing process. “Why stop with market analysis by real estate agents?” Franke said. “Why not … use a free service like Zillow for an estimate of value? I would certainly have more confi-
dence in the ability of a complex algorithm crunching data on 80 million properties to estimate a property’s value than the ability of a newly licensed salesperson.” Testifying on behalf of the Connecticut Association of Realtors, Linda Fercodini argued that the bill is intended to speed the process for experienced real estate professionals who will not be blind to a property’s true value. The Dodd-Frank financial reform law does not prohibit the use of broker price opinions in such transactions. “In fact, 44 states do not have restrictions we have in Connecticut,” Fercodini said. “There is little harm in permitting sophisticated parties such as mortgagees and attorneys to decide whether they require a market analysis or the time and expense of a full-blown appraisal.” The Connecticut Bankers Association and the Real Estate Advocacy Association also testified in favor of the bill, but others joined Grubb & Ellis’ Franke in opposing it. “It’s kind of like the fox watching the henhouse,” said John Galvin, past president of the Appraisal Institute. “We’re the only unbiased person in this transaction – we’re the only ones in there who don’t really care what happens, you know?”
Gold coastal property Furniture maker makes move Thos. Moser is opening a furniture showroom at 55 E. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich, its first in Connecticut. The Auburn, Maine-based manufacturer crafts a wide range of furniture on demand. Thos. Moser also runs “customer in residence” programs at its Maine workshop throughout the year, “working vacations” for participants to learn the art of furniture craftsmanship.
First Niagara adds branch First Niagara Bank is opening a branch at 721 Canal St. in Stamford’s Harbor Point development under construction by Building and Land Technology. The new branch totals just over 3,000 square feet of space. It is Buffalo-based First Niagara’s fourth branch in Stamford, and eighth in Fairfield County.
Staffing firm takes office The U.S. subsidiary of staffing company Randstad Holding NV took a small office at 100 First Stamford Place, a multitenant building owned by New York City-based Malkin Properties. Randstad provides skill assessments, career counseling, training, health coverage
and 401(k) options covering 125,000 people in the United States.
UBP buys retail center Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. acquired an interest in the Orangetown Shopping Center in Orangeburg, N.Y., its first in Rockland County, N.Y. The retail center totals 75,000 square feet. Greenwich-based Urstadt Biddle owns 4.9 million square feet of retail and office property in the tristate area. “This investment will be the platform for UBP to expand its footprint in Rockland County, one of the few high demographic counties surrounding New York City in which the company had not been previously invested,” said Wing Biddle, company president.
Panel rejects Tollgate A Greenwich board reportedly rejected a proposal that would have created a home for seniors at 345 W. Putnam Ave. PRI Acquisitions’ plan for Greenwich Tollgate, a 660,000-square-foot facility, did not contain sufficient information on the impact on nearby wetlands ruled the town’s Inlands Wetlands and Watercourses panel, according to a report in the Greenwich Time. – Alexander Soule FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012
5
Curtain— From page 1
maria imperial
robi ludwig
Bias — From page 1
Fairfield County Business Journal and Westchester County Business Journal, and sponsored by Jackson Lewis L.L.P. Panelists included Maria Imperial, CEO of the YWCA in White Plains and Central Westchester; Robi Ludwig, nationally known psychotherapist and TV contributor; Mark Richards, a technology consultant specializing in information technology assessments and governance; and Sue Stebbins, CEO of Successwaves, a brain-based coaching and consulting firm. The moderator was Elizabeth BrackenThompson, partner at Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.-based Thompson & Bender. If sexual harassment claims have risen, many people remain scared about losing their jobs, Saccomano said, and the situation may have been compounded by many companies suspending training programs, causing employees not to know their rights. “We have raised the bar on how we perform,” Richards agreed. “We have to catch up to that with training.” Asked what advice they would give to a woman who feels she is being sexually harassed, Ludwig advised documenting the
Act — From page 1
failing to protect investors against fraud and deception that will be enabled and indeed encouraged by key loopholes,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal stated in an email. Blumenthal was one of 26 Democrats to vote against the law in the Senate. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, an independent, voted for it. Twenty-five Democrats joined with Republicans in supporting it. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, floor manager for the bill in the House, immediately put out a press release applauding passage. “This bipartisan effort will improve the business climate and, in turn, create jobs,” Himes said. “This new law will put more decisions in the hands of business owners so they can continue to grow while easing into the responsibilities associated with increasing the number of people who have invested
experience, going through proper channels and keeping the experience “close to the vest.” Saccomano said that harassment incidents place the complainant in a difficult position where one’s career may never recover. It could also have a broader impact. “It could be very demoralizing for the entire workplace,” he said. Besides outright bias, the panel also focused on whether women advocate for themselves effectively in the workplace, including when it comes to salary negotiations. Imperial said women need more than a mentor – they should work to connect with a sponsor who will actively intervene on their behalf. “Women may not be as good at asking for financial reimbursement because we are nurturers,” Ludwig said. Stebbins said she was contacted recently by a financial firm in Chicago and asked about the problem of mid-career women who said they were perceived differently from men in their firms. When they asserted themselves, the women said they frequently were criticized by men at the firm. “There are perceptions that we hold into,” Stebbins said. “We have to learn to change them, and shift direction in the workplace.”
of the Great Recession – “Inside Job” and “American Casino” are a few of the others – but Verbitsky thinks it furnishes a deeper glimpse at what transpired, thanks in part to the cooperation of several investigative reporters who gave him tips on where to find footage and interview subjects. “The rumors were rife at the time that there was this shadowy group of hedge fund investors that colluded to take the firm down,” Verbitsky said. “I remember just being really outraged by that. “Pretty soon after, I was lucky enough to hook up with a guy who had a lot of internal video (at Bear Stearns),” Verbitsky added. “It was in a room marked ‘destroy’ … Everything from earnings presentations to internal meetings about, you know, scuttlebutt.” Verbitsky said he and his brother Paul put at least four months of solid work into the project before hitting the flip switch in making the project a go. “It was really when I found these guys on the ‘factory floor,’” Verbitsky said. “With any project like this, you need to have those people. If you can’t get them, you know, its tough to tell the story – otherwise you’re just editorializing. “I had a lot of stuff together before I found this couple and broker,” he said.
in the company.” Connecticut Banking Commissioner Howard Pitkin, however, was not as supportive. Asked in an interview whether he was “basically ok with the bill,” Pitkin said, “We are not entirely satisfied with the final version. Congress is trying to weigh risks to the consumer with job creation. We will continue to do all we can about investor protection.” Barbara Roper, director of investor protection at the Consumer Federation of America, used stronger language. “The White House, which pushed for passage of a bipartisan bill regardless of its attack on investor protections, and Senate leadership ... bear a heavy burden of responsibility for the damage this bill will cause to vulnerable investors,” Roper stated. Asked whether he approved of the crowdfunding provision, which many state regulators oppose because they say it will weaken state oversight, Pitkin noted that “the state
still has jurisdiction if fraud occurs.” Supporters of the Act include entrepreneurs, Republicans and some Democrats. Opponents include many regulators, including Obama appointee Mary Schapiro, head of the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Too often, investors are the target of fraudulent schemes disguised as investment opportunities,” she stated in a March 14 letter to the Senate Banking Committee on the bill. “If the balance is tipped to the point where investors are not confident that there are appropriate protections, investors will lose confidence in our markets.” Schapiro was referring to the bill’s controversial provision on crowd funding, which permits small businesses to raise money from investors over the Internet, without many of the usual protections. Another section will eliminate the “no general solicitation” requirement of Regulation D for private offerings under the Securities Act of 1933, so long as buyers are accredited inves-
mark richards
sue stebbins
“I was thinking, ‘Wow, I have something here,’ but in the back of my mind there was something missing. The minute I found these people, I said, ‘That – that’s what I need.’” With the movie finished, now Verbitsky needs a distribution partner. For now, he downplays the idea of a wide theatrical release, thinking a smaller run in independent, campus and art-house theaters is more realistic. More likely yet, he thinks, is a TV deal – with the movie perhaps living on in DVD form, including in MBA classes as a cautionary tale. Verbitsky recalls interviewing a Harvard University professor who called
Bear Stearns the focal point of U.S. financial history. “He said from a qualitative standpoint, there was nothing bigger than Bear because that’s when the curtain was just kind of pulled back,” Verbitsky said. “What you found out later was that nobody in upper management really had a handle on their business – not even a clue.”
tors. This will allow Fairfield County’s many hedge funds and private equity firms to use marketing and advertising to attract investors, making it much easier to raise capital. The North American Securities Administrators’ Association (NASAA), a Washington-based group for state securities regulators, is adamantly opposed to the crowd funding part of the act. Bob Webster, a NASAA spokesman, noted that under the provision, states are not permitted to take any actions until after a fraudulent offering is made and the money is gone. “Investors need a fence at the top of the cliff, not an ambulance at the bottom,” he said. A problem for opponents, according to Webster, is that the JOBS Act – an acronym for “Jump Start Our Business Startups” – was packaged as an engine for job creation, which he says it is not. “It is just an acronym,” Webster said. “But very few people want to be perceived as anti-business.”
6 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
BY ALEXANDER SOULE
W.R. Berkley sues blogger over logo use
casoule@westfairinc.com
F
or the better part of a year, W.R. Berkley Corp. gave no indication it gave a hoot about a blogger’s inflammatory posts blasting its treatment of a former employee. Once that blogger posted W.R. Berkley’s owl logo last month alongside one of those posts, however, the Greenwich-based insurance carrier swooped in. W.R. Berkley filed suit in federal court claiming it has suffered financial harm in California blogger Kimberly Urban’s use of its logo and photos that the company says are its property. Rather than suing for libel or defamation, however, which would require proving Urban’s statements are false, W.R. Berkley confined its legal claim to copyright infringement. Attorneys generally agree that defamation lawsuits are difficult to win and that the sector is getting new attention given the rapid adoption of social media.
Corkill is suing for wrongful termination, discrimination on basis of a mental disability and “failure to engage in the interactive process,” a California law under which companies must make good-faith efforts to accommodate employees. W.R. Berkley argues that by using its logo, Urban jeopardized the good will the company has built up and even states “Urban’s use of the B Logo falsely suggests … approval by Berkley of Urban’s services.” Urban has spent the year venting over a series of moves against an employee that would make any HR professional blush, if true. Asked whether W.R. Berkley considered a defamation lawsuit, a spokeswoman said the company does not comment on litigation, except to say in this case that W.R. Berkley “takes its infringement upon its intellectual property seriously and will fully protect its rights.” Since last summer and continuing past the March date when W.R. Berkley filed its lawsuit, Urban has been describing online what she calls “a story that involves terminations, private investigations, the DFEH (Department of Fair Employment and
Housing), lies, incompetence, lawsuits, and the eventual removal of an entire human resources department.” At deadline, Urban had yet to file an answer to W.R. Berkley’s lawsuit in court. Urban’s posts revolve around a woman named Chrysti Corkill and Preferred Employers Insurance Co., a San Diego-based W.R. Berkley subsidiary that underwrites workers’ compensation insurance. In June 2010, Corkill filed discrimination charges with a California employment department,
then followed up the next January with a lawsuit on W.R. Berkley and Preferred Employers Insurance. Corkill was a medical provider network coordinator for PEIC, having joined the company in 2006. By early 2010, she says she was on medical leave to deal with anxiety and depression, with Urban her benefits analyst. Corkill says PEIC gave her a choice of returning to work full time that April or being terminated, which it subsequently did on the argument that her position was of a
sufficient specialized nature that it required a full-time worker. Corkill is suing for wrongful termination, discrimination on basis of a mental disability and “failure to engage in the interactive process,” a California law under which companies must make good-faith efforts to accommodate employees. For its part, W.R. Berkley wants an injunction against further use of its copyrighted images – and treble damages in an amount it did not immediately specify.
“ We produce energy- efficient lighting products so we understand the necessity of taking energy conscious steps in any facility renovation or new building project.” __ Allison Walker, Chairman, CEO, The Lighting Quotient.
“ When our own HVAC system failed, the Energy Efficiency Fund stepped in and made it possible for us to “walk the walk” of energy efficiency,” said Allison Walker, Chairman, CEO, The Lighting Quotient. “Our business is now not only innovative in our lighting solutions, but also innovative in embracing a green workplace, and this message is carried into the community by our employees.”
Project: The Lighting Quotient (West Haven) Fund incentives: $111,045 Projected energy savings: $36,000 annually “ There’s a large educational aspect to all of this, and it’s important to get local businesses engaged in energy-efficient products and solutions,” said Walker. The Energy Efficiency Fund educated us and worked with us to help our business operate more sustainably, and we do the same for businesses we work with. It’s a win-win partnership.” Due to the capital investment often needed for high-efficiency systems, companies find it difficult to become energy efficient. The Fund offers substantial incentives to help you bridge that gap. And your energy cost savings are immediate and long-term.
For more information on energy efficiency programs for businesses, call 1-877-WISE-USE (1-877-947-3873) or visit www.ctEnergyInfo.com
Connecticut’s Energy Efficiency Programs are funded by a charge on customer energy bills. CAAP12FC
NU-27085 C&I testimonial ad FCBJ_7375x85.indd 2
3:48 PM FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April4/2/12 9, 2012 7
lion Small Business Express Program (EXP) SolarChange is matching a $100,000 grant and borrowing another $250,000. EXP funding also went to a Mystic company building a 50-acre outdoor paintball venue.
Ron Blaylock
IN THE FIELD
inating on the basis of citizenship status unless required by law, regulation or government contract. “Federal law protects people who are authorized to work in the United States from facing discriminatory barriers when they are seeking employment,” Thomas E. Perez, assistant attorney general in DOJ’s civil rights division, said in a statement.
Jobs rebound The Fairfield County area added 2,600 jobs in February, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Labor, contributing to a statewide gain of 4,900 jobs. Compared with a U.S. unemployment rate of 8.7 percent and an 8.2 percent rate in Connecticut, the jobless rate in lower Fairfield County was 7.7 percent and in the Danbury area 6.7 percent.
Poll backs wage hike Nearly two-thirds of Connecticut residents polled support a legislative proposal to increase the state’s minimum wage to $9.75 an hour. The poll was conducted by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a Washington, D.C. group that endorses higher taxes on the wealthy to maintain social safety nets like Medicare. It has 13,000 members in Connecticut. Democrats were overwhelmingly in favor of an increase in Connecticut’s minimum wage at 86 percent, while 54 percent of independents supported an increase and 46 percent of Republicans.
Presstek pink slips
A Carson Helicopters S-61 in action in 2007.
GE loses verdict
In Jeffrey Jacobson’s last year as CEO of Greenwich-based Presstek Inc., the company cut 120 jobs, giving it fewer than 400 at the end of 2011. Presstek makes offset printers with a focus on selling to small commercial printers, losing $12.4 million last year as revenue dropped 7 percent to $120 million. Last month, Jacobson resigned to become head of Norwalk-based Xerox Corp.’s commercial printer division. After making Jacobson CEO in 2007, the company moved its headquarters from Hudson, N.H. to Greenwich, where it still has its largest manufacturing plant. The lease on Presstek’s Greenwich office comes up for renewal in two years.
General Electric Co. reportedly will appeal a $70 million jury verdict, following the fatal crash in of a Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.-built helicopter powered by GE Aviation engines. Nine people died in the 2008 California accident, which involved an S-61 helicopter on firefighter duty operated by Carson Helicopters. GE said a National Transportation Safety Board investigation had cleared it of responsibility. Sikorsky settled a separate lawsuit without disclosing terms.
Sunny money With $350,000 in state funding SolarChange L.L.C. plans to hire more than 30 people in Bridgeport to manufacture solar appliances and building products. SolarChange CEO Gerry Falbel previously designed infrared instruments for aerospace companies and designed his first solar-heated home in 1960. Under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s $100 mil-
law and social work from the University of Connecticut and an undergraduate degree from Tufts University. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy will give the keynote address at the June 11 CBA annual meeting in Hartford.
Dalio earned $3.9B Ray Dalio, head of the Westport-based hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, is the nation’s highest-paid hedge fund executive, according to estimates by AR Magazine. Dalio topped the earners list with $3.9 billion in 2011 earnings as his biggest fund, Pure Alpha, gained 16 percent, AR Magazine said. Bridgewater, which manages $120 billion in total assets, uses a macro strategy to seek to profit from economic trends. It gained last year by predicting global economic headwinds would trigger a flight by other investors to U.S. Treasuries. Average pay for the 25 top earners was $576 million last year, the magazine said, down from $883 million in 2010. In 2009, the figure stood at $1.1 billion.
SS&C tenders offer for GlobeOp
Stock sell for FuelCell FuelCell Energy Inc. raised $34.5 million in a sale of stock, with plans to use the money as “growth capital.” Danbury-based FuelCell Energy’s biggest customer is POSCO Power, a South Korea company building a utility-scale electricity plant from fuel cells.
‘Hire American’ woes
Bar hires director
The U.S. Department of Justice fined Wiltonbased Onward Healthcare $100,000, saying the company discriminated by limiting staffing jobs it posted online to U.S. citizens. The Immigration and Nationality Act generally prohibits employers from discrim-
The Connecticut Bar Association hired Guilford resident Alice Bruno as executive director. Bruno most recently served as deputy chief clerk of the New Haven Superior Court. She held various volunteer roles with the association for 30 years. She holds degrees in
SS&C Technologies made a formal $818 million offer for GlobeOp Financial Services, a Harrison, N.Y. company that helps hedge funds with back-office support. Windsor-based SS&C provides a range of software and services for the financial sector. The company is in a bidding war with TPG Capital for GlobeOp – it said it would move forward with a deal if it wins the support of 70 percent of GlobeOp shareholders. GlobeOp has 200 clients, more than 2,200 employees and branch offices in New York City, Hartford, London and Ireland.
8 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
– Carol E. Curtis and Alexander Soule
CONGRATULATING AMERICA’S TOP BUSINESS BRANDS SELECTED BY THE NATION’S SMALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESS DECISION-MAKERS
AMERICAN BRAND EXCELLENCE 2012
2012 GRAND AWARD WINNER Apple BUSINESS SERVICES UPS FINANCIAL & INSURANCE Visa RETAIL The UPS Store TECHNOLOGY Apple TELECOMMUNICATIONS Verizon Wireless TRAVEL Southwest Airlines
American business has selected recipients of the ninth annual American Brand Excellence Awards. Created by The Business Journals, the awards honor leading business brands that are recognized by small and mid-sized business decision-makers as companies that deliver the products and services to help them achieve success. Winners were determined based on an independent nationwide survey of over 2,000 respondents who rated the strength of over 250 brands in multiple categories. For more information, call 800.433.4565 or visit www.thebusinessjournals.com.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012
9
CAN HOSPITALS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE? Hospitals, doctors, insurance companies and large medical groups have impacted the practice of health care. In this roundtable conversation, sponsored by the Business Journals, our panel of experts will
address questions like: • Where are the pockets of medical excellence? • Has increased population improved hospital care and procedures in the suburbs? • Is it perception or reality that patients still seek New York City hospitals?
Everyone has hospital and health questions. Come prepared with yours.
Panel in formation: Dr. John Crowe siMeon sChwartz Orthopedic Surgeon and CEO, WestMed President, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Mike weBer Specialists PC President/CEO, Health Quest
Jon sChanDler President/CEO, White Plains Hospital
APRIL 26
11:30 a.m. buffet lunch by DaviD’s sounDview Catering of stamford Program beings at noon at the Bruce Museum 1 Museum Drive, greenwich Register now. Space is limited. Email Beverly Visosky at bvisosky@westfairinc.com or go to westfaironline.com/hospitals.
10 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
Back from the brink Widland honored for helping save Stamford’s Palace Theatre
1700 EAST PUTNAM AVENUE
This is the first of two parts on award winners Michael Widland and Moira K. Lyons.
ward to a great future for this theater, for this organization, without Michael’s great guidance.” BY ZOË ZELLERS Since filing for bankruptcy, the SCA zzellers@westfairinc.com has enjoyed “three solid years,” SCA’s Executive Director Elissa Getto said. She hen Stamford’s Palace Theatre attributed this in part to Widland’s finanhit hard times at the start of cial decision-making and also to his push the recession in 2008, Michael to “encourage us to be a partner with Widland decided to lend his the community, not just expertise to save the venue. put on shows … but really A partner with the participate,” she said. “We Stamford-based law firm are serving the arts, culShipman & Goodwin L.L.P., ture and community, but Widland advised that it file because of the size of (The for protection from creditors Palace), we are one of those under the U.S. Bankruptcy major contributing factors Code. to downtown Stamford and Four years later he was it’s important to bring ecohonored by The Stamford nomic drive to town.” Center for the Arts for his Getto said the Arts Widland daring move with an Arts Ovation Award is given to Ovation Award. people who are not only During his acceptance speech, committed to SCA, but also extend their Widland joked, “Although I’m delighted charitable efforts to the greater commuto share the warm glow of this evening nity in other ways. and listen to all the nice things that people Widland, a resident of Weston, has have been saying, I can never imagine that been involved in numerous nonprofit so much praise could be given to a guy organizations on the local level, including who put the SCA through bankruptcy… serving as former director of the Greater and managed to get Jerry Springer and Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, a Trustee Maury Povich … to work in Stamford, all of Connecticut Legal Services, a Trustee of in the name of the arts.” the Mill River Park Collaborative, and as Moira K. Lyons, former speaker of the present vice chairman of the Board of House for the state legislature, was also Trustees for the Maritime Aquarium at honored with an Arts Ovation Award for Norwalk. Yet Widland echoed Getto’s senher dedication to the SCA and the greater timents about the growing prominence community. The awards were presented of SCA. by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy March 30 dur“For those people who live or work ing a benefit gala that featured a perfor- here, SCA offers an opportunity to mance by Liza Minnelli, who received the improve the quality of life by bring3rd Annual Arts Legacy Award from U.S. ing arts education and entertainment to Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Stamford, and this creates an atmosphere Widland’s efforts to help SCA began where it’s a better and healthier place for with his initial involvement on the board us to work.” nearly 20 years ago, but he earned attenWidland added, “This organization is tion when he voluntarily stepped in as important to cultural well-being and part board chair of SCA at a time that was of the cityscape and will continue to be.” financially challenging for the nation, for When he found out he’d been selected the livelihood of arts, and specifically, for as a recipient, “My initial reaction was the 1,575-seat Palace Theatre, which was to tell the person that she was crazy and built in 1927 in classic European style. demand a recount!” But in all seriousDuring his ceremony speech, Malloy ness, Widland said, “It’s always a pleasant applauded Widland’s bankruptcy rec- and nice feeling to be recognized by peers ommendation that later allowed SCA to and appreciated by others. That’s always a become a “money-making entity.” good feeling.” “We would not be here having this He added that he’ll stay on board as celebration but for the extraordinary gifts chairman “for at least another year” and that Michael possesses and then applied expressed gratitude for being a member of to our community,” Malloy said. “And a law firm that actively supports imporwe certainly would not be looking for- tant local causes.
W
SmArT locATion, SmArTEr PricE Average price per sq ft:
$45
$55
$65
$75
$85
1700 EAST PuTnAm AvEnuE STAmford downTown ArEA GrEEnwich downTown ArEA
A Greenwich landmark with all the amenities: • Pre-built office suites with trading floor available immediately
• complimentary shuttle to and from the train
• Pre-furnished options available
• 2,000 - 75,000 square foot spaces
• Adjacent to the hyatt regency Greenwich
• full-service café and fitness center with personal training
Call us today for a tour: 203-637-3060 or 203-325-5380 www.1700eastputnam.com
1700 East Putnam Avenue • old Greenwich, cT 06870 203.637.3060 or leasing@relatedproperties.com
177 Broad Street, Suite 700 • Stamford, cT 06901 william v. cuddy, Jr: 203.325.5380 or william.cuddy@cbre.com
19996_Related_Ad_FCBJ.indd 1
3/29/12 11:11 AM
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 11
THE LIST
Public Relations Firms
LISTED ALPHABETICALLY
FAIRFIELD COUNTY NEXT LIST: APRIL 16 ACCOUNTING FIRMS
PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCIES
Next list: April 16 — Accounting Firms Listed alphabetically Principal(s) Email address Year company established
Number of employees full time and part time
Percentage of PR service to total business
The Ad Works Inc.
Services
Top Specialty
Dick Commer admanout@optonline.net 1986
1 2
28
a a a
Jeff Blumenfeld requests@blumenfeldpr.com 1980
3 1
100
a a
Barbara Branagan-Mitchell barbara@branagancommunications.com 1993
1 0
85
a a
Charles Wintrub b2b@catalystmc.com 1994
7 0
38
a a a a a a
Stacey Cohen stacey@cocommunications.com 1997
10 4
75
a a a a a a a a
Valorie Luther info@creative-conceptsllc.co 2005
WND
30
a a a a a a a a
a
Ellie Becker ellie@erbeckercompany.com 1991
1 WND
25
a a a a
a a
H.E. Heydt Jr. wmcdaniel@hehassociates.com 1979
5 2 to 3
10 to 15
James P. O'Toole jpoconsult@optonline.net 2001
2 1
90
Linda Kavanagh linda@maxexposure.net 1997
1 3
90
a a a a
Michael J. London mjlondon@aol.com 1999
3 3
100
a
Gillian Grozier ggrozier@netsagemarketing.com 2002
1 4
50
a a a
Shelly Marr Harvey shelly@shellmarconsulting.com 1999
1 2
90
a a a a a a a a
Randy Savicky randy@strategypluscommunications.com 2002
WND
75
a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a
Gregory Walsh info@walshpr.com 1997
2 1
100
a a a a a a a a
Wendy Van Parys info@wvpmc.com 1989
WND
WND
a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a
Susan Capparelle susan@write-for-you.com 2007
1 WND
80
Top three (3) clients
strategic consulting media relations product launches community relations special events copywriting partnerships event management investor and analyst internal relations media training issues management web design public affairs crisis communications financial communications interactive
Name, address, phone number Area code: 203 (unless otherwise noted) Website
4 Gorham Ave., Westport 06880 454-2388 • dickcommer.com
Blumenfeld and Associates Inc. 28 Center St., Darien 06820 655-1600 • blumenfeldpr.com
Branagan Communications Consultants L.L.C.* 19 Creamery Road, New Milford 06776 (860) 210-0149 • branagancommunications.com
Catalyst Marketing Communications Inc. 2777 Summer St., Suite 301, Stamford 06905 348-7541 • catalystmc.com Co-Communications Inc.* 1027 Farmington Ave., Farmington 06032 (860) 676-4400 • cocommunications.com
Creative Concepts^ Fairfield and New York City (866) 475-5191 • creative-conceptsllc.com
E.R. Becker Company Inc. 16 Betts Place, Norwalk 06855 852-8077 • erbeckercompany.com
HEH Associates Inc. 300 Danbury Road, Wilton 06897 761-8766 • hehassociates.com
James P. O'Toole Consulting 1 W. Norwalk Road, Darien 06820 655-8689
MaxEx Public Relations L.L.C. 102 Alton Road, Stamford 06906 323-4185 • maxexsposure.net
Michael J. London & Associates 15 Lake Ave.,, Trumbull 06611 261-1549 • mjlondon.com
NetSage Marketing Inc. 16 Hemlock Trail, P.O. Box 35, New Fairfield 06812 746-6645 • netsagemarketing.com
ShellMar Consulting 44 Hiram Hill Road, Monroe 06468 257-6684 • shellmarconsulting.com
Strategy+Communications 21 Brierbrook Lane, Weston 06883 226-6156 • strategypluscommunications.com
Walsh Public Relations 303 Linwood Ave., Fairfield 06824 292-6280 • walshpr.com
Wendy Van Parys Marketing Communications 162 Woodland Road, New Canaan 06840 966-7453 • wvpmc.com
Write For You 55 Bible St., Cos Cob 06807 561-5331 • write-for-you.biz
a
a
a a a
a
a
a
a
a
a a a
a
a
a a a a a a a a
a
a a
a
a a
a
a
Stamford Hospital The Bilco Company Bendheim
Public relations
Bigelow Tea Ecover The Children's Aid Society in New York City
Online/inbound marketing
Rudick Research Signature Group Sleep HealthCare of Connecticut
Businessto-business marketing communications
Alstom Power ICSA Software North America New York Medical College
Restaurant and hospitality industry Media relations
a Communications
a a a a
a a
Westchester Children's Museum NAI Friedland Stark Office Suites
a
a
a a a
Businessto-business public relations
Social media
a
a a a
Business Women's Forum (BWF) IMTI-Industrial Management & Training Institute Waterbury Regional Chamber
Con Edison Arc of Westchester Jones L.L.P.
a
a a
CW-X Performance Apparel IcelandNaturally Spartan Race
Public relations
a a
a
WND
a
a a a a
a a
a
Publicity
a
a
a a a a a a
a a
Copywriting
a
a
Communications
Media relations
Consumer products Integrated marketing communications
Copywriting
Questions or comments, call (914) 694-3600, ext. 3005 * Although located outside Fairfield County, company does business in Fairfield County. • WND Would not disclose. • ^ Address withheld at respondent's request.
12 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
Cb5 Barcelona Restaurant Group Barcelona Restaurants Rizzuto's Restaurant Group Direct Impact Antinozzi & Associates Hurwitz, Sagarin, Slossberg & Knuff L.L.C. Abbey Road Advisors Reynolds & Rowella L.L.P. Molinelli Architects Eastern Land Management MMR Construction Inc. Vision Dynamics Cache-A Archion Reyes & Wolf Network Wild Republic Fashion Angel Enterprises Ziggy & Friends Inc.
WND
CAIM L.L.C. Topside Detailing A+M Marketing
SPECIAL REPORT
Marketing, Branding and Public Relations
Alan Meckler
BY ALEXANDER SOULE
Inside track on social media
casoule@westfairinc.com
I
n touting Inside Network as the first service dedicated to providing news and market research to the Facebook platform, Justin Smith comes across as though he is channeling Alan Meckler. In fact Smith may have given Meckler’s WebMediaBrands Inc. a facelift. Thanks partly to its May 2011 acquisition of Inside Network for a reported $14 million, WebMediaBrands increased revenue nearly 40 percent last year to $12.3 million. That was not enough to erase an $11.9 million loss for the year, however. Among the earliest Web trade publications under its original Internet.com moniker, WebMediaBrands today runs Mediabistro, a blog and networking division, while hosting various conferences addressing emerging technologies and their impact on communications. Thirteen years after its launch, founder Meckler still runs WebMediaBrands today, making his one of the longest tenures for a dot-com. The company has its principal offices in New York City, but also lists a 6,000-square-foot location in Norwalk as a data center and administrative office. The com-
pany keeps up on the ever-changing Web and social media universe with a workforce of just more than 70 people. Via blogs, Twitter and yes, Facebook, Meckler remains a visible commentator on technology trends and trivia. On an early April trip to Inside Network’s California offices, he found time to espouse briefly on Eastman Kodak, American Airlines, Virgin – in fact, like the George Clooney character in “Up in the Air” he finds no small amount of time to assess the services provided frequent flyers. As much as anything, however, Meckler saves his commentary for the online world WebMediaBrands plays in – with Mediabistro winning recognition from Time magazine last month for its “GalleyCat” Twitter feed on the publishing industry. Whether through internal development or external acquisitions, Meckler has successfully kept WebMediaBrands on the frontier of emerging communications technologies, where profits can be elusive. In an annual report on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, WebMediaBrands disclosed it now has an accumulated deficit of $275 million. In the document, WebMediaBrands also disclosed that in 2009 Meckler extended the company a $7.2 million loan backed by a residential mortgage in his name, then made a second loan last
November in the amount of $1.8 million. On his Twitter feed, Meckler stated that WebMediaBrands had a deal in place to acquire Mashable, the social networking news and tips site, without providing any additional details on why the deal did not go through. Only three years before Smith bootstrapped Inside Network into existence with no venture capital funding, with the company also tracking social gaming and mobile applications. In late March, WebMediaBrands and Inside Network launched a social media news feed, which he touted as the first and only one of its kind. As much as anyone, Meckler has taken an interest in Facebook’s pending initial public offering of stock. Entering April, WebMediaBrand’s own stock was trading around $1 a share, more than double its price at the start of the year but well below its levels of April 2011. The company stated in late March it is considering a reverse stock split to get back into compliance with minimum share price levels on the Nasdaq. Meckler thinks Inside Network is well on its way to getting WebMediaBrands on the inside track for sustained growth. “What is good for Facebook is great for WebMediaBrands,” he tweeted.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 13
Marketing, Branding and Public Relations
Consumer products and marketing in brief
Changes at Pepperidge Farm
Pat Callahan is retiring as president of Pepperidge Farm in July, with the company naming Irene Chang Britt as his replacement. Britt is currently chief strategy officer of Pepperidge Farm’s Camden, N.J.-based parent Campbell Soup Co. Pepperidge Farm is building an innovation center in Norwalk where it has its main offices. The division employs 5,000 people. “As we work to accelerate Campbell’s rate of innovation, Pepperidge Farm can serve as a model,” Denise Morrison, CEO of Campbell’s, said in a statement. “Pat has been a coach and mentor to countless people in our organization.” Before joining Campbell in 2005, Britt spent eight years with Kraft Foods, leading the salted snacks and Post Cereal operations.
Who you gonna call? Six in 10 small and mid-size businesses do not list a telephone number on the home page of their website, which researcher BIA/
News Corp. eyes sports
Kelsey says costs them significant revenue. The Chantilly, Va.-based company found also that 75 percent of websites at smaller businesses lack an email link and nearly twothirds do not have an online form to request information. More than 90 percent of smaller business websites are not compatible with mobile devices such as smartphones. “Many SMB websites today are deficient across multiple dimensions,” said Steve Marshall, director of research for BIA/Kelsey in a statement. While the world is shifting to a social, local, mobile – or SoLoMo – orientation, most SMBs are just not there yet.”
News Corp. reportedly is considering a cable sports network to compete with Bristolbased ESPN and NBC Sports, which is in the process of moving its headquarters to Stamford. Multiple sources told Bloomberg a new sports network is in the works for News Corp., whose Fox network carries the NFL, Major League Baseball, and two upcoming World Cup soccer tournaments.
Inspira buys Norwalk office
An uplifting brand St. Luke’s LifeWorks is renaming itself Inspirica, after hiring TFI Envision Inc. to help it identify a new brand . TFI Envision developed the name and identity, Inspirica – from homeless to home. The name was created to end confusion about any religious affiliation and because St. Luke’s LifeWorks wanted an uplifting name that conveys hope and inspiration. Separately, the Maritime Aquarium
TFI Envision helped St. Luke’s LifeWorks find inspiration for a new name.
hired Norwalk-based TFI Envision Inc. to develop graphics for print materials for its April 26 fundraiser “Cirque de la Mer.” And TFI Envision is designing materials promoting Northeast Angel Flight’s Ride for Angels bike fundraiser in September.
Inspira Marketing paid $1 million for a 6,000-square-foot office condo unit at 16-18 Ann St. in Norwalk. Angel Commercial L.L.C. represented Inspira, with RHYS Commercial handling the transaction for the seller Q Sono II L.L.C. Inspira Marketing specializes in event marketing, from program development to activation and measurement.
14 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
– Alexander Soule
A ‘placemaking’ to call our own 569605
BY MARIAN SALZMAN
I
am a person who is fiercely aloof from, yet stunningly loyal to, my place – and since 2005, my place has been Fairfield County. Taking a big step beyond loyalty, though, I want to help rebrand my place as a Creative Corridor that complements the creativity of its urban bookends of New York City and Boston. But I also want it to be a place of its own, derivative of nowhere. Let’s face it, Connecticut’s image is staid – focused on commuters and on the finance industry, which doesn’t exactly welcome the “crazies,” as the famous Apple “Think Different” ads labeled those of us who prefer to zig and to zag. I am surely not the only person who thinks the state urgently needs to reveal, revalue and reboot the creative resources it has and to reel in creative types from outside. Us crazies truly make places better, richer and, yes, more colorful. It’s not without reason to imagine a time when Connecticut could be a nexus for all things PR, marketing and advertising – NoMA (North of Madison Avenue)? – after all, many “mad men” (and women), live there, even if they mostly work a Metro-North line away. I’ve spent my career (in advertising and PR) thinking of how best to brand products, people and companies. Now I’m most intrigued by place as brand – a 50-yearold concept known as “placemaking” that today is an international movement, one well associated with our state’s economic development and tourism czar. I want to help mold Connecticut, to boast about our talent pool and proximity, our lifestyle oasis, our community of collaborative spirits. That’s why I helped pitch the Fairfield County Creative Corridor (FCCC) initiative, designed to turn the state from creative afterthought into creative dynamo. But this isn’t about me. And it’s not about you, either. It’s a community-driven, bottom-up approach that’s about the place. As soon as I raised my hand to suggest establishing this Creative Corridor, I was bombarded by response and excitement – but mostly not the kind I’d hoped for. I heard neighbors selling neighbors, people grabbing for bits instead of tackling big-picture challenges and opportunities, trade groups and agencies vying to own
versus collaborating, people craving a high stature. The FCCC isn’t an opportunity for any one person or company to make it big. This is about Connecticut making it big. This is about a community working together to establish a vibrant creative economy, united around a larger vision for the place they love. Now that we’re drafting blueprints, I see a fivefold challenge for Fairfield County and its Creative Corridor: • Can enough quality suppliers emerge and showcase their wares? And will their goods and services be enough to make a marketplace we can be proud of? • Can we hold one another accountable for work of a global standard, even if it means that some businesses and businesspeople will win and some will lose? • Will a university or college emerge as the engine that drives new thinking styles and the energy of the young mind into the local marketplace? It’s hard to know how excellence or true envelope-pushing will come from the current players, mostly because they seem to be in competition mode, versus having a collaborative mindset. • How can Fairfield County and Connecticut inject the fast-paced reality of today into the future? Many people and companies who want to get involved haven’t adopted new working styles and technologies or embraced the 24/7/365 commitment required of locations where placemaking has succeeded. In the world of genuine creativity, people thrive at hope’s edge, fueled by java and passion; they don’t use quality of life as an explanation or yank out a decade-old CV as a rationale for their stool at the bar, which is getting raised in real time. • What kind of place do we really want, and can we agree on it? Small town, big city, hard-driving, collaborative, resultsfocused, communal? Before a place can be well sculpted, the artist needs a clear vision. Placemaking is not about money. Truly great placemaking is the work of a community whose aim is true: simply, to create good public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness and well-being. It’s about a place to call our own. Marian Salzman is CEO of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR and president of the Fairfield County PR Association. She can be reached at marian.salzman@eurorscg.com.
CLIENTS
1
22:10
9/17/02
WV
120
DOLEV
*569605
Catering to your online marketing needs. Website Design & Development | Email Marketing Social Media Strategy | Training & Consultation 914-806-7720 | WestchesterMarketingCafe.com
A R T.
ASK
FOR
M O R E.
For more information about the importance of arts education, contact
www.AmericansForTheArts.org. This space provided by Westfair Business Publications as a public service.
Sign up for our newsletter.
NOTE TO PUB: DO NOT PRINT INFO BELOW, FOR I.D. ONLY. NO ALTERING OF AD COUNCIL PSAS. Americans for the Arts - Magazine (4 5/8 x 4 7/8) 4/C AFAWV1-M-11106-K “Martha Graham” 120 screen Film at Horan Imaging 212-689-8585 Reference #: 569605
westfaironline.com FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 15
KEYS empowers children through music Founded in 2004, Kids Empowered by Your Support Inc. (KEYS) offers private music instruction, choral programs, after-school practice programs, drumming and other group music activities to more than 300 children in 11 Bridgeport public schools. These schools have little or no funding for music and the arts and parents are economically unable to provide instruments and music instruction for their children, so KEYS has stepped in with high-quality teachers and volunteers. KEYS empowers its students by teaching children to read music, play instruments, make music in ensemble, practice and perform, and by providing one-to-one mentorship from adults and college-bound high school students. Children who study music acquire life skills that change their lives. From focus and goal setting to poise and preparedness, music requires discipline, commitment and practice. Many studies show that beneficial music instruction is essential for brain development and academic achievement. KEYS enriches its programs with after-school practice sessions; field trips to the Bridgeport Symphony, which has donated tickets for children and families; workshops at the Fairfield Theater Company, which generously shares its space; participation in the Young Musicians’ Youth Festival; and opportunities to perform before friends, family and others. KEYS also worked with two other nonprofits to help salvage a summer camp program that was canceled by the school district. Relying on tax-deductible contributions from private donors and foundations, KEYS receives no public funding. If you are interested in donating funds, instruments or time, please visit our website or contact us at keys.bridgeport@gmail.com.
Rob Silvan, Executive Director Kids Empowered by Your Support Inc. (KEYS) Member, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County The mission of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County is to support cultural organizations, artists and creative businesses by providing promotion, services and advocacy. For more information, visit CulturalAllianceFC.org or email infoCulturalAllianceFC.org or call 256-2329. For events lists, visit FCBuzz.org.
FCBUZZ
Arts & Culture of Fairfield County
HEAR THEIR SONGS Following the success of its 2011 musical extravaganza, “Hear Our Song,” Norwalk’s Unity Center for Practical Spirituality has announced a second concert to be held April 28, 7:30 p.m., at the Norwalk City Hall, Concert Hall, 125 East Ave. The event will once again feature talented national and local musical celebrities from Broadway, TV, cabaret and film. All performers are members and friends of
EXHIBIT TO FEATURE CHARLES RUGER Fairfield Museum and History Center’s fourth annual juried photography exhibition, “Images 2012,” begins May 3 with a gala preview party. The public opening of the exhibition will be May 4 and the exhibition will close July 22. The exhibition will showcase a retrospective of the work of Charles Ruger, a Fairfield native. Ruger, who lives and works in New York City, will also be introducing new pieces at the exhibition. In addition to the signature photography by Ruger, more than 60 photographs by professional, serious amateur and student photographers from the region will be selected by a panel of six judges to represent the juried portion of the exhibition. For more information, visit fairfieldhistory.org.
the Unity Center congregation. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to the BJ Ryan’s Foundation, which supports the Norwalk Education Foundation, Norwalk Hospital, Whittingham Cancer Center, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other local causes. Participants will again include such Broadway stars as Lucie Arnaz, actress, singer, dancer/performer and her husband Larry Luckinbill, Broadway/film actor and singer. “I think Unity Center’s “Hear Our Song” concert last year was a welcome surprise to the Fairfield County community,” Arnaz said. “I heard so many of them say, ‘Who knew there was so much talent floating around out here via the variety of artists associated with Unity?’ The caliber of performances was extraordinary and I was very proud to be a part of that show.” The 2012 lineup includes David Friedman, film/ theater composer, lyricist and conductor of scores for Disney blockbusters like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame;” Norwalk’s own Broadway/cabaret performer Raissa Katona Bennett; New York City cabaret director/performer Scott Coulter; New York City composer/ performer Kenneth Gartman; Greenwich and New York City-based singer and performer Christina Connors; Tonja Walker Davidson, star of daytime dramas; and singer/songwriter Roger Mapes. Connors and Coulter will once again host the event. For more information, visit unitycenterps.org or call 866-7004.
Visit FCBuzz.org for more information on events and how to get listed. 16 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
Presented by: Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County
on the record AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a new commercial building (Building C) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. The following petition was filed in Estimated cost: $408,000. Filed U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Bridgeport. March 6. Chapter 11 indicates the filer intends to submit a plan of reorganization to the court. Chapter 7 indicates a liqui- AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a new commercial building (Builddation of assets. ing D) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $408,000. Filed Munson Builders Inc., 116 Fiske March 6. St., Fairfield. Chapter 11, filed March 27, case no. 12-50567. Assets: less than $50,000. Liabilities: AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a $1 million to $10 million. Credi- new commercial building (Buildtors: Wilton Bank, $2 million; ing F) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Custom Air System, $223,011; Mill Estimated cost: $440,000. Filed River Properties, $163,777; Fair- March 6. field Domestic Kitchens, $130,000; Housatonic Lumber, $90,937; AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a B&B Contracting, $77,650; John new commercial building (BuildCorvino, $66,704; James Caruso ing G) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Plumbing, $60,695; Chase Card Estimated cost: $408,000. Filed Services, $60,048; Flooring Ameri- March 6. ca, $37,178. Type of business: corporation. Debtor’s attorney: James G. Verrillo, Zeisler & Zeisler P.C., AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a new commercial building (BuildBridgeport. ing H) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $408,000. Filed March 6. Building
Bankruptcies
Permits
Commercial
AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a new commercial building (Building I) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $408,000. Filed March 6.
3 East Wall Street Associates L.L.C. Perform interior renovations at multifamily housing at 3 E. AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a new Wall St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: commercial building (Building J) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Estimated $140,000. Filed March 9. cost: $510,000. Filed March 6. AG Phase I L.L.C. Construct a new commercial building (Building B) at 15 W. Main St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $408,000. Filed March 6.
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. 3 Gannett Drive, Suite G7 White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: (914)694-3600 Fax: (914)694-3680
All Seasons Construction L.L.C., Naugatuck, contractor for Merritt River Apartments. Perform interior renovations to community spaces at 399 Main Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $225,000. Filed March 7. City of Norwalk. Install lighting and sprinkler structures at 7 Crescent St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $158,000. Filed March 9. Daley Construction Company Inc., Bridgeport, contractor for Fairfield Beach Club Inc. Perform renovations at an existing commercial building, 41 Fairfield Beach Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $160,000. Filed Feb. 28.
Gao’s Construction Corp., Flushing, N.Y., contractor for David Investments L.L.C. Fit out an existing commercial space for a restaurant tenant at 3671 Post Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $110,000. Filed Feb. 24.
Norwalk Hospital. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 34 Maple St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $500,000. Filed March 16.
Strike Consulting Inc., Boynton Beach, Fla., contractor for Patsy and Greenwich Acquisitions L.L.C. Pietrina Santangeli. Fit out an exFit out an existing commercial isting commercial space for tenant space for tenant Tumble Jungle European Wax Center at 2000 Black at 250 Westport Ave., Norwalk. Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Estimated Estimated cost: $178,500. Filed cost: $76,000. Filed March 19. March 13. Tartaglia, Remo. Construct addiHarding II, William, Redding, tions and perform alterations at an contractor for Captain Jack L.L.C. existing commercial building, 920 Construct additions and perform Danbury Road, Wilton. Estimated alterations at an existing commer- cost: $882,357. Filed Feb. 17. cial building, 532 Danbury Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $260,000. Trust Realty Corp., Fairfield, conFiled Feb. 14. tractor for 85 Pond Mill L.L.C. Perform interior renovations at an exHaynes Construction Co., Stam- isting commercial building, 85 Mill ford, contractor for Wilton Com- Plain Road, Fairfield. Estimated mons Apartments. Construct new cost: $85,000. Filed March 7. multifamily housing at 21 Station Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $3.9 Turner Construction, Milford, million. Filed Feb. 24. contractor for TIAA/CREF. Construct additions and perform alJohn Moriarty & Associates, terations at an existing commercial Unionville, contractor for Wilton building, 20 Westport Road, Wil50 L.L.C. Construct additions and ton. Estimated cost: $2.9 million. perform alterations at an existing Filed March 2. commercial building, 50 Danbury Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: Winnipauk Village Condomini$382,252. Filed Feb. 15. ums. Perform exterior renovations to multifamily housing at 71 AiKrupa, Peter, Norwalk, con- ken St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: tractor for the estate of Frances $117,000. Filed March 14. Daddario. Perform interior alterations at an existing commercial building, 4180 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $72,480. Filed March 16. Anthony M. Baldino Custom Homes, Thomaston, contractor Management Resource Systems, for Spa Inc. Construct a new singleHigh Point, N.C., contractor for family residence at 475 Lockwood Sun Realty Associates L.L.C. Fit Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: out an existing commercial space $230,000. Filed March 2. for tenant Carter Babies & Kids at 2181 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $104,000. Arenas, Mario. Construct additions and perform alterations at Filed Feb. 21. an existing single-family residence, 14 Own Home Ave., Wilton. EstiMerritt 7 Venture L.L.C. Fit out mated cost: $100,000. Filed Feb. 17. an existing commercial space for tenant GE Capital Corp. at 201 Merritt 7, Norwalk. Estimated cost: Bernstein, Richard, Fairfield, contractor for Reginald and Jeffrey $50,000. Filed March 9. Conley. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 60 Merritt 7 Venture L.L.C. Perform Puritan Road, Fairfield. Estimated interior alterations at an existing cost: $50,000. Filed Feb. 27. commercial building, 501 Merritt 7, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $500,000. Filed March 5.
Residential
Borise, Stephanie. Perform interior alterations and renovations at an existing single-family residence, 1156 Oldfield Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $65,000. Filed March 16. Buttendorf Building and Remodeling, Fairfield, contractor for Heidi Putman and Ani Slezak. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 37 Dill Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $180,000. Filed March 1.
Heggland, Rose. Construct a new single-family residence at 384 Sturges Ridge Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $1.1 million. Filed Feb. 9. Homestead Developer, Wilton, contractor for Patricia and Robert Puma. Construct additions and perform alterations at an existing single-family residence, 29 Spoonwood Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed March 12.
Huthmaker Homes L.L.C. Construct additions and perform Cerra, Giuseppe. Construct an renovations at an existing singleaddition at an existing single-fam- family home, 38 Fifth St., Norwalk. ily home, 46 Walter Ave., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $105,000. Filed Estimated cost: $107,100. Filed March 13. March 15. Classy Builders L.L.C., Fairfield, contractor for Beachside Estates. Construct a new single-family residence at 66 Paul Place, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $240,000. Filed March 22. Conte Company L.L.C., Norwalk, contractor for Farouk Abi-Karaam. Construct additions and perform alterations at an existing singlefamily residence, 9 Crofoot Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $150,000. Filed Feb. 29.
J. Tallman Builders L.L.C., Southport, contractor for Brian and Laurie McArdle. Perform interior renovations at an existing singlefamily residence, 267 Brookbend Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed March 2. JVS Builders L.L.C. Construct a new single-family residence at 1320 N. Benson Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $250,000. Filed March 21.
Kerschner Development Company L.L.C., Norwalk, contractor for Theodore O’Neill Jr. Construct Dirende, Michael. Construct a a new single-family residence at new single-family residence at 410 317 Edward St., Fairfield. Estimated S. Benson Road, Fairfield. Estimat- cost: $250,000. Filed Feb. 17. ed cost: $435,000. Filed March 9. EL Construction, Wilton, contractor for Juan Manuel and Alton Johnson. Construct additions and perform alterations at an existing single-family residence, 300 Sturges Ridge Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $150,000. Filed Jan. 31. Gombos, Ronald, Woodbury, contractor for Ellen McCarthy. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 33 Evergreen Hill Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $80,000. Filed March 2. Greenberg, Michael. Construct a new single-family residence at 22 Shorehaven Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: $1.1 million. Filed March 9.
King Development L.L.C., Fairfield, contractor for Jennifer and Joseph Walker. Perform interior renovations at an existing singlefamily residence, 20 Colonial Drive, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $59,690. Filed March 1. Livingston Builders L.L.C., Greenwich, contractor for Jeanette and Marc Calabrese. Construct additions and perform alterations at an existing single-family residence, 90 Washington Post Drive, Wilton. Estimated cost: $90,000. Filed Jan. 31. M. G. Flynn Inc., Easton, contractor for Brian end Eileen Ainsworth. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 67 Pepperidge Circle, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $113,000. Filed March 15.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 17
on the record Mayfair Construction Group L.L.C., Greenwich, contractor for Lauren and Eric Kutcher. Perform interior renovations at an existing single-family residence, 80 Fleming Lane, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $160,000. Filed March 2. Michno, Frank, Fairfield, contractor for M&R Associates L.L.C. Construct a new single-family residence at 4 Nelson Place, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $161,000. Filed March 7. Pine Creek Associates Inc., Fairfield, contractor for Barbara and John Fallon. Construct an addition at an existing single-family residence, 75 Lalley Blvd., Fairfield. Estimated cost: $72,000. Filed Feb. 16.
Bridgeport Auto Center Corp., et al., Bridgeport. Filed by James Brown, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: John J. Luckart, Fairfield. Action: The plaintiff alleges that he was attacked by a while a business invitee on premises owned or otherwise under control of the defendants as the result of an unsafe Wagner Pools, Bridgeport, con- condition arising from negligence tractor for Stacey and Howard Bass. on the part of the defendants, Install an in-ground pool and en- their agents and employees, which closure at an existing single-family caused him to suffer serious, painhome, 27 Covlee Drive, Norwalk. ful injuries and to incur substanEstimated cost: $105,100. Filed tial medical expenses. The plaintiff March 7. seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonZilch, Anton. Construct an ad- able attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 14. dition at an existing single-family Case no. CV126025191. home, 37 Fitch St., Norwalk. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed March 7. Four at One L.L.C., Westport. Trowbridge Builders, New Canaan, contractor for Suzane and Craig Knutson. Construct additions and perform alterations at an existing single-family residence, 308 Westport Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: $100,000. Filed Feb. 9.
Court Cases
Polito Builders, Wilton, contractor for Patricia and Thomas Co. Construct additions and perform alterations at an existing singlefamily residence, 27 Wood Hill Road, Wilton. Estimated cost: Apple Tree Daycare Realty L.L.C., $85,000. Filed Feb. 14. Shelton. Filed by Robin Dennis, Shelton. Plaintiff’s attorney: Jason Pribelsky, Emilia and Milan D. DeGenaro L.L.C., Guilford. AcPribelsky. Construct additions tion: The plaintiff alleges that she and perform renovations at an ex- fell while a business invitee on the isting single-family home, 20 Gene- defendant’s premises as the result va Road, Norwalk. Estimated cost: of an unsafe condition arising from $230,000. Filed March 15. negligence on the part of the defendant, its agents and employees, Quality Masonry Inc., New Mil- which caused her to suffer seriford, contractor for Sami Hamid. ous, painful injuries and to incur Install an in-ground pool and en- substantial medical expenses. The closure at an existing single-family plaintiff seeks damages in excess of residence, 295 Stonewall Lane, Fair- $15,000 plus applicable costs and field. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 8. Case no. CV126025113. March 21.
Bridgeport Superior Court
Black Rock Capital L.L.C., Bridgeport. Filed by Murphy Moving and Storage Inc., Clinton. Plaintiff’s attorney: Shepro & Hawkins L.L.C., Stratford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it provided moving and storage services to the defendant and RFK Development L.L.C., Fair- that amounts relating to those serfield, contractor for 151 Home vices remain outstanding and past Fair Drive L.L.C. Construct an ad- due from the defendant despite redition at an existing single-family peated requests for payment by the residence, 151 Home Fair Drive, plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayFairfield. Estimated cost: $100,000. ment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable Filed Feb. 17. attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 7. Case no. CV126025067. Towle, William, Milford, contractor for Marybeth and Graeme Pirrie. Perform alterations at an existing single-family residence, 38 Drumm Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $75,000. Filed March 21. Quinn Contracting L.L.C., Fairfield, contractor for Barbara McClure and James Haas. Construct a new single-family residence at 702 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield. Estimated cost: $1.7 million. Filed Feb. 16.
Marriott International Inc., Hartford. Filed by Peter Conigliaro, Ansonia. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ryan & Tyma L.L.P., Shelton. Action: The plaintiff alleges that he fell while a business invitee on the defendant’s premises as the result of an unsafe condition arising from negligence on the part of the defendant, its agents and employees, which caused him to suffer serious, painful injuries and to incur substantial medical expenses. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 7. Case no. CV126025069.
Perey Turnstiles Inc., Bridgeport. Filed by Washington Park Fidelco L.L.C., Newark, N.J. Plaintiff’s atFiled by Jean Bourget Inc., New torney: Green & Gross P.C., BridgeYork City. Plaintiff’s attorney: Al- port. Action: The plaintiff alleges brecht & Zelman, Bloomfield. Ac- that the defendant supplied it with tion: The plaintiff alleges that prior defective merchandise and that, as to the date of this action it delivered result, it received a $44,540 New goods and/or services to the defen- Jersey judgment in its favor against dant and that $15,666 relating to the defendant. The plaintiff seeks those deliveries remains outstand- therefore seeks a Connecticut court ing and past due from the defen- order enforcing the foreign judgdant despite repeated requests for ment plus applicable costs and reapayment by the plaintiff. The plain- sonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 9. tiff seeks repayment of all outstand- Case no. CV126025157. ing amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Shawn’s Lawns Inc., Stamford. Feb. 7. Case no. CV126025089. Filed by Quality Construction L.L.C., South Plainfield, N.J. PlainGreenwich Media L.L.C., Green- tiff’s attorney: Sugarmann & Sugwich. Filed by Latinmedio.com armann, New Haven. Action: The Inc., Aventura, Fla. Plaintiff’s at- plaintiff alleges that prior to the torney: Sugarmann & Sugarmann, date of this action it delivered goods New Haven. Action: The plaintiff and/or services to the defendant alleges that prior to the date of this and that $14,558 relating to those action it delivered goods and/or deliveries remains outstanding services to the defendant and that and past due from the defendant $26,739 relating to those deliver- despite repeated requests for payies remains outstanding and past ment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff due from the defendant despite re- seeks repayment of all outstanding peated requests for payment by the amounts plus interest, costs and plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repay- reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed ment of all outstanding amounts Feb. 7. Case no. CV126025081. plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 8. Case no. Westworks L.L.C., Stamford. CV126025128. Filed by The Chapin & Bangs Co., Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Maefair Health Center Inc., et al., Brian S. Cantor, Fairfield. Action: Southington. Filed by the estate of The plaintiff alleges that prior to the Brancasio Caschetto, et al., Bridge- date of this action it delivered goods port. Plaintiff’s attorney: Ouel- and/or services to the defendant lette Deganis & Gallagher L.L.C., and that $38,687 relating to those Cheshire. Action: The plaintiff al- deliveries remains outstanding leges that the defendants have been and past due from the defendant guilty of professional malpractice, despite repeated requests for payspecifically in that the decedent ment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff Brancasio Caschetto fell a number seeks repayment of all outstanding of times during his treatment as a amounts plus interest, costs and result of the defendants’ negligence, reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed which caused him to suffer serious, Feb. 10. Case no. CV126025189. painful injuries and, ultimately, an untimely death. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 8. Case no. CV126025119.
Danbury Superior Court
Liberty Mutual Group Inc., et al., Rocky Hill, et al. Filed by Patricia and Robert Sherry, New Milford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Murray J. Kessler, New Milford. Action: The Big Y Foods Inc., Hartford. Filed plaintiffs allege that the defendants by Cynthia Lago, New Milford. made false and misleading statePlaintiff’s attorney: Moots Pellegriments regarding the extent of their ni P.C., New Milford. Action: The insurance coverage, which caused plaintiff alleges that she fell while a them to incur a substantial financial business invitee on the defendant’s loss and to suffer emotional stress. premises as the result of an unsafe The plaintiff seeks damages in excondition arising from negligence cess of $15,000 plus applicable costs on the part of the defendant, its and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed agents and employees, which March 9. Case no. CV126008947. caused her to suffer serious, painful injuries and to incur substantial medical expenses. The plaintiff Mohawk Mountain Ski Area Inc., seeks damages in excess of $15,000 Cornwall. Filed by Luisa Ramirez, plus applicable costs and reason- Redding. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bach able attorneys’ fees. Filed March 13. and DiScala, Norwalk. Action: The Case no. CV126008970. plaintiff alleges that she fell while dismounting from a ski lift on the defendant’s premises as the result The Church of Christ, Danbury. of an unsafe condition arising from Filed by y & Jowdy, Danbury. Plainnegligence on the part of the detiff’s Jowd attorney: Chipman Mazfendant, its agents and employees, zucco Land & Pennarola L.L.C., which caused her to suffer seriDanbury. Action: The plaintiff ous, painful injuries and to incur alleges that it and the defendant substantial medical expenses. The maintain adjoining properties and plaintiff seeks damages in excess of claims adverse possession of part $15,000 plus applicable costs and of the property because of its unreasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed restricted use of the property for March 12. Case no. CV126008956. more than 15 years. The plaintiff seeks an injunction prohibiting the defendant’s interference with its use of the property, assignment of title to the plaintiff and removal of the defendant’s impinging improvements plus appropriate damages, applicable costs and reasonable Amsterdam L.L.C., et al., Wilton. attorneys’ fees. Filed March 13. Filed by Connecticut Community Bank N.A., Greenwich. Plaintiff’s Case no. CV126008979. attorney: Murtha Cullina L.L.P., Hartford. Action: The plaintiff alDanbury Hospital, et al., Dan- leges that it intends to initiate a bury. Filed by the estate of Michael civil action against the defendants Casale, Brookfield. Plaintiff’s at- in the amount of at least $664,539 torney: Coyne Von Kuhn Brady & and that it anticipates a favorable Fries L.L.C., Stratford. Action: The decision by the court with regard plaintiff alleges that the defendant to the suit. The plaintiff therefore has been guilty of professional seeks a court order attaching the malpractice in connection with its defendants’ assets in an amount negligent treatment of the decedent sufficient to ensure payment of Michael Casale, which caused him the anticipated favorable judgment to suffer serious, painful injuries plus applicable costs and reasonand, ultimately, an untimely death. able attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 21. The plaintiff seeks damages in ex- Case no. CV126013012. cess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Citibank N.A., Sioux Falls, S.D. March 9. Case no. CV126008948. Filed by Thomas Cortese, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sergei Lemberg, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that the defendant subjected him to extreme, extended harassment in the course of its debt collection procedures. The plaintiff therefore seeks the statutory damages due in such cases plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 21. Case no. CV126013023.
18 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
Stamford Superior Court
on the record Credits, Clients and Awards Olga Adler, founder and president of Olga Adler Interiors, located in Ridgefield, has been awarded “Best of Remodeling” 2012 by Houzz, an online platform for residential remodeling and design. Adler was chosen by the online Houzz community for her recent design of a wine cellar in Ridgefield. Webster Bank in Waterbury has announced 200 of its branch managers and customer-care center representatives recently completed 100 hours of training in business banking and are now certified to assist small businesses. Webster calls this its 4-Star Certification Program, which consists of class work, field training and successful completion of an examination based on Moody’s Analytics coursework. KARL Chevrolet in New Canaan has launched its 27th annual high school scholarship promotion this month, pledging to contribute $50 to area scholarship programs this spring in the name of each individual or business purchasing or leasing a new or certified pre-owned vehicle from April 1 to 30. Since 1986, KARL Chevrolet’s scholarship drives have raised nearly $90,000 for area high school graduates for their continuing education. Taylor Design, a graphic and interactive design firm in Stamford, has announced it has received recognition for a poster designed for Sarah Lawrence College in Creative Quarterly 27. Creative Quarterly is a journal that features the best of art and design, from advertising to architecture. The poster, designed by art director Hannah Fichandler and illustrated by Jon Contino, was a winner in the graphic design category. John D. Feerick, a professor at Fordham Law School, has been selected to receive the Holy Child Spirit Award from the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. The award honors individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of service represented in the Holy Child tradition, including justice, compassion and social action. RE/MAX Benchmark Realty Group recently made a donation of more than $12,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network. Through RE/MAX’s Miracle Home program, virtually every associate contributes a portion of his or her commission to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. RE/MAX Benchmark Realty Group raises funds year round for its area’s member hospital, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. Carrington Parker, director of culinary services at Atria Darien, has been awarded the Atria Culinary Excellence (ACE) award. Atria Senior Living, a company that operates more than 125 senior living communities nationwide, presents the ACE award to only four chefs each year companywide. The award is based on customer and employee satisfaction scores, quality enhancement scores and overall program quality. Silver Golub & Teitell L.L.P. in Stamford has announced five of its partners were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2012. David S. Golub, Richard A. Silver, Paul A. Slager, Ernest F. Teitell and Angelo A. Ziotas
John Adams Vaccaro, founder and CEO of the investment firm Westport Resources, has been named, for the third consecutive year, as one of the “Top 1,000 Financial Advisors” in America and the 12th Top Financial Advisor in Connecticut for 2012 in Barron’s, a weekly newspaper, published by Dow Jones & Co., which bases rankings on three components: assets managed, revenue produced and quality of practice.
Conversation with Richard C. Breeden, chairman of Breeden Capital Management, 7 p.m., Sacred Heart University, Schine Auditorium, 5151 Park Ave., Fairfield. For information, call 3717999 or visit sacredheart.edu. FNEW meeting featuring Bob Dickson, owner and president of the Dale Carnegie Organization of Western Connecticut, 6 p.m., Norwalk Inn, 99 East Ave., Norwalk. $35 nonmembers; $25 members; $5 additional fee for walk-in guests. For information, call 897-9973 or visit fnew.org. Stamford Business Group open-house networking meeting, 7:29 a.m., Cafeteria at 9 W. Broad St., Stamford. For information, call 975-2950 or visit stamfordbusiness.com.
Newsmakers Webster Bank, headquartered in Waterbury has announced the following appointments. Michael Liam O’Connor has been named senior vice president, corporate real estate and facilities. He joins Webster after completing an active duty tour as an army officer assigned to the office of the judge advocate general, the Pentagon Washington D.C. Joseph J. Pelliccia Jr. has been promoted to senior vice president and director of loan operations. Previously at Webster, he served as vice president, commercial operations manager. Joshua Diamond has joined Bridgeport-based Santa Buckley Energy as energy manager. Most recently, Diamond was the northeast regional sales manager for a manufacturer in the wall coatings industry. He attended the University of Colorado. Christopher C. Murray of Stamford has joined Westport-based Hayden Wealth Management Group, a division of NorthEast Community Bank, as a financial planner. Most recently, Murray was a financial advisor at Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services, a division of MassMutual Financial Group in Stamford. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. Bruce E. Post of Orange has joined Patriot National Bank as loan originator in the residential mortgage division at the company’s Southport office. Post comes to Patriot with more than 25 years of lending experience in all phases of the mortgage industry, including sales, marketing and training. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Abilene Christian University.
Thursday, April 12 “An Informative Evening with Habitat for Humanity and WBDC,” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Ring’s End, 149 Westport Ave., Norwalk. To register, call 353-1750 or visit wbdc.org. Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast, 7:45 to 9 a.m., Mystical Parlors, 17 Washington St., South Norwalk. $25 nonmembers; $15 members. For information, call 866-2521 or email info@norwalkchamberofcommerce.com.
Tuesday, April 17 Temple Israel Networking Group (TING) meeting to assist individuals in their job search, 2 p.m., Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road, Westport. For information, call 227-1293.
Thursday, April 19 “Using Direct Mail to Supercharge Your Online Marketing,” noon to 1:15 p.m., Danbury Chamber of Commerce, 39 West St., Danbury. For information, call 743-5565 or email info@danburychamber.com.
Snapshot The Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) recently held its 2012 annual conference in Hartford.
On the Go: Business, Etc. Tuesday, April 10 Lunch presentation: “How Do Credit and Blame Impact Your Organization’s Productivity, Team Performance, Hiring Success and Career Development?” 11:30 a.m., Norwalk Inn, 99 East Ave., Norwalk. For information, call 536-9765 or email soctshrm@gmail.com.
Wednesday, April 11 “Business Before Hours,” 8 to 9:30 a.m., 440 Wheelers Farms Road, Suite 302, Milford. $20 future members; $10 members. For information, call 335-3800.
From left, Paul Slager, a partner in the Stamford law firm of Silver Golub & Teitell L.L.P. and vice president of the BIAC board of directors; conference keynote speaker Jennifer Field; and Julie Peters, executive director of BIAC.
Information for these features has been provided by the subjects or their delegates FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 19
on the record Cos Cob Diner L.L.C., et al., Riverside, et al. Filed by Thirty-One East Putnam Avenue L.L.C., Cos Cob. Plaintiff’s attorney: Mark Sank & Associates L.L.C., Stamford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it provided business credit services to the defendants and that $25,000 relating to those services remains outstanding and past due from the defendants despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 21. Case no. CV126013010. Edgerton Inc., et al., Monroe, et al. Filed by Isabel and Stephen Moskowitz, Westport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Berchem Moses & Devlin P.C., Milford. Action: The plaintiffs allege that the defendants’ negligent installation of a new furnace on their premises damaged their premises and effects and created a health hazard, causing the plaintiffs to incur a substantial financial loss and to suffer emotional stress. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $15,000 plus applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 21. Case no. CV126013017. Keith E. Simpson Associates Inc., New Canaan. Filed by Circulent L.L.C., Darien. Plaintiff’s attorney: Renee M. Cannella, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff alleges that prior to the date of this action it delivered goods and/or services to the defendant and that $222,939 relating to those deliveries remains outstanding and past due from the defendant despite repeated requests for payment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks repayment of all outstanding amounts plus interest, costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 21. Case no. CV16013004. Oak Investment Partners, Norwalk. Filed by Frank Angrisani, Saddle River, N.J. Plaintiff’s attorney: Kelly L. Saarela, Philadelphia, Pa. Action: The plaintiff alleges that the defendant refuses to provide him with documents needed in his civil suit. The plaintiff therefore seeks a court order requiring the defendant to provide the requested documents plus appropriate damages, applicable costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Filed Feb. 21. Case no. CV126013003.
U.S. District Court
Hertzmark Crean & Lahey L.L.P., et al. Filed by Tetyana Pytyak. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sergei Lemberg. Action: claim filed under the Fair Debt Collection Act. Filed March 16. Case no. 12CV00402.
550 Realty Associates L.L.C., et al. Filed by ORIX Capital Markets L.L.C. Plaintiff’s attorney: John B. Nolan. Action: claim filed in con- Johnson Claim Service Inc. Filed nection with a contract matter. Filed by Penobscot Group Inc. PlainMarch 21. Case no. 12CV00423. tiff’s attorney: Melissa R. Holmes. Action: claim filed in connection with libel, assault and slander. Filed Board of Trustees CommuniMarch 21. Case no. 12CV00424. ty-Technical Colleges. Filed by Mark Thompson. Plaintiff’s attorney: John R. Williams. Action: M.R.S. BPO L.L.C. Filed by Nelson claim filed in connection with job Valle. Plaintiff’s attorney: Nelson discrimination. Filed March 19. Valle pro se. Action: claim filed in Case no. 12CV00417. connection with notice of removal of an existing action to an alternative venue. Filed March 20. Case no. Caltius Capital Management 12CV00421. L.P., et al. Filed by Catalus Capital L.L.C. Plaintiff’s attorney: Todd S. Sharinn. Action: claim filed in con- Mohegan Sun Casino. Filed by nection with trademark infringe- Elizabeth Tremblay. Plaintiff’s atment. Filed March 16. Case no. torney: Elizabeth Tremblay pro se. 12CV00404. Action: claim filed in connection with age-related job discrimination. Filed March 21. Case no. CBS Corp. Filed by Marsha and 12CV00427. Larry Briggs. Plaintiff’s attorney: Christopher Meisenkothen. Action: claim filed in connection with Mohegan Sun Casino. Filed by notice of removal of an existing ac- Helene McAndrew. Plaintiff’s attion to an alternative venue. Filed torney: Helene McAndrew pro se. March 19. Case no. 12CV00416. Action: claim filed in connection with age-related job discrimination. Filed March 21. Case no. Federal Insurance Co., et al. 12CV00426. Filed by Robert Lewis. Plaintiff’s attorney: Robert R. Lewis pro se. Action: claim filed in connection Purdue Pharma L.P. Filed by Snewith an insurance contract. Filed zana Stankovic. Plaintiff’s attorney: March 21. Case no. 12CV00428. Snezana Stankovic pro se. Action: claim filed in connection with job discrimination. Filed March 19. General Electric Co., et al. Filed by Case no. 12CV00413. Brian Cummiskey. Plaintiff’s attorney: Amity L. Arscott and Melissa M. Riley. Action: claim filed in con- Soulmates L.L.C., et al. Filed by nection with a petition for removal Broadcast Music Inc., et al. Plainof an existing action to an alterna- tiff’s attorney: Michael J. Rye. Active venue. Filed March 16. Case no. tion: claim filed in connection 12CV00412. with copyright infringement. Filed March 21. Case no. 12CV00425. Hartsko Financial Services L.L.C., et al. Filed by Glenhil & Company L.L.C. Plaintiff’s attorney: Andrew M. Zeitlin. Action: claim filed in connection with a fraud claim. Filed March 20. Case no. 12CV00422. Hearst Corp. Filed by Christian Nelson. Plaintiff’s attorney: Patrick J. Filan. Action: claim filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Filed March 16. Case no. 12CV00405.
Walmart Stores East 1 L.P. Filed by Sandra Smith. Plaintiff’s attorney: Jeanette T. Chambers. Action: claim filed in connection with a petition for removal of an existing personal injury suit to an alternative venue. Filed March 16. Case no. 12CV00411. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Filed by Leigha Rybnick. Plaintiff’s attorney: Stephen R. Bellis. Action: claim filed in connection with a petition for removal of an existing action to an alternative venue. Filed March 16. Case no. 12CV00409.
Deeds
Commercial 148 East Avenue Realty Group L.L.C., Norwalk. Seller: James Guthrie, Ridgefield. Property: 148 East Ave., Unit 3B, Norwalk. Amount: $750,000. Filed March 14. 39 Lois L.L.C., Norwalk. Seller: Roundtree Development L.L.C., Norwalk. Property: 39 Lois St., Norwalk. Amount: $400,000. Filed March 14. Camelot Development L.L.C., Bridgeport. Seller: BLR Management L.L.C., Fairfield. Property: vicinity of East Main and Howe streets, Bridgeport. Amount: $220,000. Filed March 20.
Duffy, Heather, Norwalk. Seller: James Cohen, Norwalk. Property: 163 Chestnut Hill Road, Norwalk. Amount: $395,000. Filed March 16. Dumser, Robert, Wilton. Seller: the estate of Ethel Nolan, Wilton. Property: 13 Deerfield Road, Wilton. Amount: $280,000. Filed March 1. Egan, Margaret and Carrie Egan, Danbury. Seller: Toll CT III L.P., Newtown. Property: 188 Warrington Round, Danbury. Amount: $358,913. Filed March 8. Falta, Camille and Daniel Falta, Wilton. Seller: JT’s Construction L.L.C., Wilton. Property: 20 Cheese Spring Road, Wilton. Amount: $1.5 million. Filed Feb. 21.
Foley, Matthew, New York City. Seller: Catherine Harding, Ponte Danprin I L.L.C., Buffalo, N.Y. Vedra Beach, Fla. Property: 40 Seller: Interstate Business Center Warncke Road, Wilton. Amount: L.L.C., Bethel. Property: 6 Prindle $865,000. Filed Feb. 16. Lane, Unit 1, Danbury. Amount: $1.1 million. Filed March 12. Genova, Alicia and Brian Genova, Fairfield. Seller: Gerard Genova, Center Moriches, N.Y. Property: 1029 Galloping Hill Road, Fairfield. Amount: $281,000. Filed March 16. Ball, Whitney and Paul Ovigele, Darien. Seller: Janet Schechter, Fairfield. Property: 132 Adley Road, Graham, Martha and Samuel Fairfield. Amount: $330,000. Filed Graham, Peekskill, N.Y. Seller: Thomas Tahan, Danbury. Property: March 13. 5 W. Lake Shore Drive, Danbury. Amount: $250,000. Filed March 6. Brenner, Danielle, Bedford Hills, N.Y. Seller: Toll CT III L.P., Newtown. Property: 186 War- Gray, Faith, Norwalk. Seller: rington Round, Danbury. Amount: Mark and Carl Lupinacci, Stamford. Property: 97 W. Norwalk $336,195. Filed March 12. Road, Unit 3, Norwalk. Amount: $340,000. Filed March 15. Carr, Angela and James Carr, Bronx, N.Y. Seller: Deborah and Larry Brunatti, Bradenton, Fla. Macchiaverna, Kristin and Clara Property: 8 Richter Drive, Danbury. Macchiaverna, Danbury. Seller: Amount: $445,000. Filed March 7. Thomas Cassidy, Danbury. Property: 9 Lawncrest St., Danbury. Amount: $260,000. Filed March 5. Chaves, Sandra and Emanoel Chaves, Danbury. Seller: Clare Perkowski, Danbury. Property: Madera, Sonia and Rafael Capel87 Hayestown Road, Danbury. lan Jr., Danbury. Seller: Anthony Amount: $270,000. Filed March 7. Palazzo and Anthony Della Donna, Norwalk and Danbury, respectively. Property: 15 Ole Musket Lane, Civil, Regina, Norwalk. Seller: Danbury. Amount: $300,000. Filed Winston Ferguson, Fayetteville, March 6. Ga. Property: 11 Norvel Road, Norwalk. Amount: $270,000. Filed Manzouri, Miraneh and Kamran March 15. Hashemi, Wilton. Seller: Deborah and Thomas Ray, Wilton. PropDemetriades, Helen and Theolo- erty: 6 Maplewood Lane, Wilton. gos Demetriades, Norwalk. Seller: Amount: $1.7 million. Filed Feb. 21. Kalliope Mead, Sonoma, Calif. Property: 2 Deerfield Road, Wilton. Amount: $300,000. Filed Feb. 23.
Residential
20 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
Meigs, Kelli and Scott Feltmate, Bethel. Seller: Barbara and Edward Scott, Danbury. Property: 224 Middle River Road, Danbury. Amount: $350,000. Filed March 7. Moles, Colleen and German Prohaszka, Bedford Hills, N.Y. Seller: Yana and Sergei Orel, Danbury. Property: 37 Kilian Drive, Danbury. Amount: $470,000. Filed March 5. Moore, Jodi and Daniel Moore, Fairfield. Seller: Lauralee and Eric Hahn, Fairfield. Property: 101 Glenarden Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $770,000. Filed March 16. Mullineaux, Vincent, Southport. Seller: Victoria Bodine, Southport. Property: 80 Christmas Tree Lane, Southport. Amount: $2 million. Filed March 13. Passos, Karina and Elton Passos, Danbury. Seller: Albert Salame III, Danbury. Property: 4 Chelsea Drive, Danbury. Amount: $586,500. Filed March 5. Rothe, Danielle and Dennis Rothe, Fairfield. Seller: Robert Watson, Naples, Fla. Property: 201 Queens Grant Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1.6 million. Filed March 16. Sacks, Jacqueline and Eric Sacks, New York City. Seller: William Taylor, Norwalk. Property: 17 Rocky Point Road, Norwalk. Amount: $1.8 million. Filed March 16. Seshan. Kartik, New York City. Seller: Jane Ready, Norwalk. Property: 11 Pond St., Norwalk. Amount: $1 million. Filed March 15. Siano, Prisila and Dominic Siano, Norwalk. Seller: Linda Kozma and William Raveis Jr., Kissimmee, Fla. Property: 847 Riverside Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $360,000. Filed March 16. Troche, Marisol and George Raymond, Carmel, N.Y. Seller: Terry and Troy Lauchman, Danbury. Property: 22 Golden Hill Road, Danbury. Amount: $255,000. Filed March 8. Zancan Jr., Dennis, Danbury. Seller: the estate of Bianca Zancan, Danbury. Property: 155 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury. Amount: $300,000. Filed March 6.
on the record Foreclosures Allen, Jasmine, et al. Creditor: Provident Funding Associates L.P. Property: 805 Capital Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 20. Avellino, Ruth, et al. Creditor: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee. Property: 310 Pleasantview Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 21. Avery Jr., Paul, et al. Creditor: U.S. Bank N.A., trustee. Property: 109 Strawberry Hill Ave., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed March 14.
Grant, Atara, Bridgeport. $1,018 in favor of Robert Russo M.D. & Associates, Bridgeport, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 155 Holland Road, Andreville, Clercifie, Bridgeport. Bridgeport. Filed March 20. $453 in favor of Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, Stamford, by Robert L. Peat. Property: 586 Kaumb, Suzanne and Robert Beechmont Ave., Bridgeport. Filed Kaumb, Bridgeport. $591 in favor March 20. of Robert Russo M.D. & Associates, Bridgeport, by Joseph P. Latino. Property: 221 Deforest Ave., Audena, Anne Marie and Bridgeport. Filed March 20. Chancelier Audena, Bridgeport. $600 in favor of Robert Russo M.D. & Associates, Bridgeport, by Joseph Leavans, Mark, Fairfield. $3,634 in P. Latino. Property: 220 Village favor of Wells Fargo Financial CT Lane, Bridgeport. Filed March 20. Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, by Gary J. Greene. Property: 286 Valley Road, Fairfield. Filed March 15. Battle, Telly, Danbury. $1,328 in favor of Danbury Hospital, Danbury, by Robert L. Peat. Property: Maleh, Steven, Norwalk. $29,450 10 Mountainview Road, Danbury. in favor of the city of Norwalk, by Filed March 5. Brian L. McCann. Property: 149 S. Main St., Norwalk. Filed March 16.
Judgments
Bazikov, Victor, et al. Creditor: Camelot Court Condominium. Property: 11 Mannions Lane, Unit 23, Danbury. Delinquent common Battle, Telly, Danbury. $571 in facharges. Filed March 8. vor of Danbury Ambulance Service Inc., Danbury, by Robert L. Peat. Property: 10 Mountainview Road, Cook Jr., Marvin, et al. Creditor: Danbury. Filed March 5. Tuthill Finance. Property: 65 Ocean Ave., Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 21. Cizik, Michael, Bridgeport. $5,601 in favor of U.S. Equities Corp., South Salem, N.Y., by Linda DeFalco, Luann, et al. Credi- Strumpf. Property: 164 Jourmire tor: American Tax Funding L.L.C. Road, Bridgeport. Filed March 20. Property: 359 Fiske Ave., Bridgeport. Delinquent municipal taxes. Filed March 21. Cowan, Deborah, Danbury. $517 in favor of Danbury Diagnostic Imaging, Danbury, by Robert L. Peat. Polanco, Dulce, et al. Creditor: Property: 32 Oil Mill Road, Unit 3, U.S. Bank N.A., trustee. Property: Danbury. Filed March 5. 71 Linron Drive, Danbury. Mortgage default. Filed March 13. Cruz, Sira, Danbury. $688 in favor of Danbury Hospital, Danbury, by Saunders II, Kenneth, et al. Cred- Robert L. Peat. Property: 14 Coalpit itor: Connecticut Housing Finance Hill Road, Apt. 3, Danbury. Filed Authority. Property: Unit 4105, March 5. The Lofts on Lafayette, Bridgeport. Mortgage default. Filed March 21. Figueroa, Martin, Bridgeport. $723 in favor of RAB Performance RecovSmart, William, et al. Creditor: eries L.L.C., Paramus, N.J., by SteWells Fargo Bank N.A. Property: 59 phen A. Wiener. Property: 105 Ohio Moritz Place, Fairfield. Mortgage Ave., Bridgeport. Filed March 21. default. Filed March 14. White, Marcia and Christopher Campbell, et al. Creditor: American Tax Funding L.L.C. Property: 93 Clifford St., Bridgeport. Delinquent municipal taxes. Filed March 21. York Street Development, et al. Creditor: American Tax Funding L.L.C., et al. Property: 49 York St. and 389 Bradley St., Bridgeport. Delinquent municipal taxes. Filed March 21.
Manderville Jr., Charles, Fairfield. $6,958 in favor of Capital One Bank (USA) N.A., Richmond, Va., by Stephen A. Wiener. Property: 17 Beacon View Drive, Fairfield. Filed March 19. McPhee, Frances, Danbury. $5,247 in favor of Midland Funding L.L.C., San Diego, Calif., by Adam J. Olshan. Property: 27 Crows Nest Lane, Apt. 5K, Danbury. Filed March 14. Perez, Hector, Danbury. $318 in favor of the Danbury Office of Physicians Services, Danbury, by Adam J. Olshan. Property: 33 Newtown Road, Danbury. Filed March 12. Ramnath, Robin, Wilton. $511 in favor of Gault Inc., Westport, by Philip H. Monagan. Property: 9 Exeter Lane, Wilton. Filed Feb. 23. Surovy, Sarah and Brian Surovy, Danbury. $685 in favor of Danbury Hospital, Danbury, by Robert L. Peat. Property: 18 Triangle St., No. C3, Danbury. Filed March 5.
Wilson, Kimberly, Danbury. $1,965 in favor of Danbury HosLis Pendens pital, Danbury, by Robert L. Peat. Property: 60 Nabby Road, No. 24, The following filings indicate a legal Danbury. Filed March 5. action has been initiated, the outcome of which may affect the title to Wilson, Loyce, Danbury. $627 in the property listed. favor of Danbury Hospital, Dan- bury, by Adam J. Olshan. Property: 18 Michaud Road, Danbury. Filed Acevedo, Claudia, et al., Danbury, et al. Filed by Debbie R. Bing-ZaMarch 12. remba, Danbury, for Fairview Condominium Association Inc., Danbury. Property: Unit 43-3, Fairview Liens Condominium, Danbury. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 13.
Federal Tax Liens-released
Adams, Stephanie, et al., Norwalk, et al. Filed by Paul A. DeGenaro, Stamford, for People’s United Bank, Bridgeport. Property: 10 Windsor Place, Norwalk. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the origiStone Resources of Connecti- nal principal amount of $325,000 cut L.L.C., 6 Cole Place, Danbury. dated August 2006. Filed March 15. $12.341, Federal unemployment tax, FICA and employee withholdBarry, Cameron, et al., Danbury, ing tax. Filed March 12. et al. Filed by Robert A. Pacelli Jr., Bridgeport, for Lake Place Condominium Association Inc., Danbury. Property: 103 Lake Place South, Danbury. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent comDanbury Mall L.L.C., et al., Dan- mon charges due the association. bury. Filed by G&O Mechanical Filed March 8. L.L.C., Trumbull, by Gary Oppedisano. Property: 7 Backus Ave., Bender, Leslie, et al., Wilton, et Danbury. Amount: $14,487. Filed al. Filed by Hunt Leibert Jacobson March 5. P.C., Hartford, for Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Minneapolis, Minn. ProperDanbury Mall L.L.C., et al., ty: 167 Old Kings Highway, Wilton. Danbury. Filed by K-Man Glass Action: to foreclose a delinquent Corp., Bethel, by Kevin McMahon. mortgage in the original principal Property: 7 Backus Ave., Danbury. amount of $252,500 dated December 2005. Filed Feb. 17. Amount: $12,891. Filed March 7. Michael Blanc & Associates, 20 Hoyt St., Stamford. $4,494, FICA and employee withholding tax. Filed Feb. 29.
Mechanic’s Liens-filed
Campolucci, Jill, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, for Bretton Arms Condominium Association Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 205 Bretton St., Unit D8, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 21. Chisholm, Patrick, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, for Capitol Commons Condominium Association, Bridgeport. Property: 955L Capitol Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 21. Cope, Donna, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Bendett & McHugh P.C., Farmington, for Everbank, Jacksonville, Fla. Property: 150 Wessels Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $115,809 dated March 2009. Filed March 21. Dimock, Estate of Martha, et al., Fairfield, et al. Filed by Deborah M. Garskof, Fairfield, for RPD 22 L.L.C., Fairfield. Property: vicinity of Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield. Action: to foreclose on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed March 20.
Eison, Vivian, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Bradd S. Robbins, Bridgeport, for Fairfield Village Condominium Association Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 65L Patricia Road, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 20. Ludlowe Center for Health, Fair- Berkman, Estate of Leslie, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Anthony field. Filed by All-in-One Construction L.L.C., Norwalk, by Edward J. LaBella, Fairfield, for Cartright Federal Home Loan Mortgage Warchick. Property: 118 Jefferson Condominium Association Inc., Corp., et al., McLean, Va., et al. St., Fairfield. Amount: $10,203. Bridgeport. Property: 25 Cart- Filed by Ronald M. Bender, Hamwright St., Unit 6E, Bridgeport. Ac- den, for Strathmoor Association Filed March 13. tion: to foreclose on the unit to re- Inc., Fairfield. Property: Unit 42, cover delinquent common charges Strathmoor Condominium, FairNordgaard, Tracie, Wilton. Filed due the association. Filed March 20. field. Action: to foreclose on the by U.S. Insulation Corp., Berlin, by unit to recover delinquent comGeorge Hanlon. Property: 10 Old mon charges due the association. Boata, Adelina, et al., Norwalk, et Nursery Road, Wilton. Amount: al. Filed by Simon Sumberg, Nor- Filed March 14. $12,497. Filed Feb. 29. walk, for Forest Square Condominium Association Inc., Norwalk. Federal National Mortgage AsProperty: Unit 32, Forest Square sociation, et al., McLean, Va., Condominium, Norwalk. Action: et al. Filed by Alan P. Rosenberg, to foreclose on the unit to recover West Hartford, for 95 Park Manor delinquent common charges due Condominium Association Inc., BLR Management L.L.C., Fair- the association. Filed March 15. Danbury. Property: Unit 12, Park
Flannery, Caryn, Danbury. $1,634 in favor of Midland Funding L.L.C., San Diego, Calif., by Adam J. Olshan. Property: 86 Lake Ave., Dan- Thompson, Michael, Danbury. bury. Filed March 12. $1,112 in favor of Sippin Brothers Oil Company Inc., Monroe, by Patricia A. Gaffney. Property: 17 VirGeorgetown Land Development ginia Ave., Danbury. Filed March 8. Company L.L.C., Georgetown. $92,000 in favor of Frank Owens, Larchmont, N.Y., by Scott M. Har- White, Robert, Norwalk. $3,714 rington. Property: Parcels A and B, in favor of Barclays Bank Delaware, Redding town maps 3434 and 3435, Newark, Del., by Julie B. Solomon. field. Filed by Interstate Restoration Redding. Filed March 14. Property: 26 Blake St., Norwalk. L.L.C., Fort Worth, Texas, by Dale Filed March 14. Coplan. Property: 503 E. Main St., Bridgeport. Amount: $213,500. Filed March 20.
Mechanic’s Liens—released
Manor Condominium, Danbury. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 12.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 21
on the record Fernandez, Francisco, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, for Bretton Arms Condominium Association Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 205 Bretton St., Unit C3, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 21.
Marconi, Danielle, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Bradd S. Robbins, Bridgeport, for Fairfield Village Condominium Association Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 60A Leslie Road, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 20.
Frank, Andrea, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, for Nob Hill Condominium Association, Bridgeport. Property: 249 Texas Ave., Unit 180, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 20.
McNally, Edward A. Revocable Trust, et al., Danbury, et al. Filed by John Jowdy, Danbury, for Fairfield County Bank Corp., Ridgefield. Property: 7 Centennial Drive, Danbury. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $120,000 dated July 2005. Filed March 12.
Rosenweig, Frederick, et al., Norwalk, et al. Filed by Lawrence M. Garfinkel, West Warwick, R.I., for The Bank of New York Mellon, New York City. Property: 15 Green Hill Road, Norwalk. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $393,000 dated August 2002. Filed March 14.
Alliance Retail L.L.C., Waltham, Mass., by Edward Faneuil. Lender: Bank of America N.A., Boston, Mass. Property: 110 Newtown Turkesi, Ermal, et al., Norwalk, et Road, Danbury. Amount: $200 milal. Filed by Griffith L. Trow, Stam- lion. Filed March 6. ford, for Clocktower Close Condominium Association Inc., Norwalk. Property: Unit 240, Clocktower BAGL L.L.C., Bridgeport, by RobClose Condominium, Norwalk. ert Lederer. Lender: People’s United Action: to foreclose on the unit Bank, Bridgeport. Property: 1100 to recover delinquent common Boston Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: charges due the association. Filed $1.5 million. Filed March 20. March 19. Berkshire Barnum Realty L.L.C., Vargas, Nidia, et al., Danbury, et Brooklyn, N.Y., by Moses Singer. al. Filed by Bendett & McHugh Lender: Secure Capital Group P.C., Farmington, for U.S. Bank L.L.C., Stratford. Property: 59 N.A., trustee, Minneapolis, Minn. James St., Bridgeport. Amount: Property: 24 Crown St., Unit B, $360,000. Filed March 21.
Morton, Evan, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Bradd S. Robbins, Bridgeport, for Fairfield Village Condominium Association Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 65O Patricia Road, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the Danbury. Action: to foreclose a association. Filed March 20. delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $254,700 dated June 2006. Filed March 5. Gary’s Realty Company L.L.C., et Mulvaney, Tricia, et al., Bridgeal., Fairfield, et al. Filed by Abram port, et al. Filed by Robert A. Pacelli Heisler, Norwalk, for New Wave Jr., Bridgeport, for Livingston West-Rosenthal, Steven, et al., Seafood Inc., Stamford. Property: House Condominium Association Norwalk, et al. Filed by Robert M. vicinity of Black Rock Turnpike Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 183 Liv- Meyers, Avon, for U.S. Bank N.A., and Brookside Drive, Fairfield. ingston Place, Unit 9, Bridgeport. trustee, Minneapolis, Minn. PropAction: to foreclose a delinquent Action: to foreclose on the unit erty: 47 Creeping Hemlock Drive, mortgage in the original principal to recover delinquent common Norwalk. Action: to foreclose a amount of $80,000 dated Decem- charges due the association. Filed delinquent mortgage in the origiMarch 20. ber 2011. Filed March 14. nal principal amount of $526,500 dated August 2006. Filed March 19. Ganesh, Uma, et al., Norwalk, et al. Filed by James Trudell, Farmington, for HSBC Bank USA N.A., trustee, Buffalo, N.Y. Property: 21 Osborne Ave., Norwalk. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $400,000 dated December 2005. Filed March 15.
Gomez, Argelia, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by James Trudell, Farmington, for Nationwide Advantage Mortgage Co., West Des Moines, Iowa. Property: 774 Capitol Ave., Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $62,400 dated January 2002. Filed March 21.
Peterson-Nobes, Sandra, et al., Danbury, et al. Filed by Juda J. Epstein, Bridgeport, for Plymouth Park Tax Services L.L.C., Bridgeport. Property: 53 Morris St., Danbury. Action: to foreclose on the property to recover delinquent municipal taxes assigned to the plaintiff for collection. Filed March 12.
The Hemal Stain Company Inc., et al., Danbury, et al. Filed by Michael J. Levine, Bloomfield, for Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Minneapolis, Minn. Property: 5 Ohehyahtah Place, Danbury. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $50,000 dated March 2007. Filed March 13.
Previs, Emily, et al., Bridgeport, et al. Filed by Steven G. Berg, Norwalk, for The Bridgeport Park Apartments Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 59 Rennell St., Apt. 49, Unit 38, Bridgeport. Action: to foreclose on the unit to recover delinquent common charges due the association. Filed March 20.
Larkin, Robert, et al., Danbury, et al. Filed by Bendett & McHugh P.C., Farmington, for Everbank, Jacksonville, Fla. Property: 5 Golden Hill Road, Danbury. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $176,739 dated November 2009. Filed March 7.
Pulitan, Michael, et al., Wilton, et al. Filed by Bendett & McHugh P.C., Farmington, for U.S. Bank N.A., trustee, Minneapolis, Minn. Property: 17 Ridge Lane, Wilton. Action: to foreclose a delinquent mortgage in the original principal amount of $355,000 dated October 1998. Filed March 5.
Alliance Energy L.L.C., Waltham, Mass., by Edward Faneuil. Lender: Bank of America N.A., Boston, Mass. Property: 112 Newtown Road, Danbury. Amount: $200 million. Filed March 6.
Mortgages
Foad L.L.C., Bridgeport, by David Katz. Lender: TD Bank N.A., Cherry Hill, N.J. Property: 846 Danbury Road, Wilton. Amount: $300,000. Filed Feb. 16. Letizia’s L.L.C., Norwalk, by Daniel and Denis Letizia. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank N.A., Phoenix, Ariz. Property: 666 Main Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $240,000. Filed March 14. Levi, Dina, Wilton, by Dina Levi. Lender: Union Savings Bank, Danbury. Property: 135 Olmstead Hill Road, Wilton. Amount: $1 million. Filed March 9.
148 East Avenue Realty Group L.L.C., Norwalk, by Andrew Herbst. Lender: Fairfield County Piburo Inc., Wilton, by Buff Bank, Ridgefield. Property: 148 East Young. Lender: Robert Lyons Jr., Ave., Unit 3B, Norwalk. Amount: Guilford. Property: Parcel 2, Wilton $600,000. Filed March 14. town map 5470, Wilton. Amount: $640,500. Filed March 9. 166 Elm Street L.L.C., Bridgeport by L.Kuchma. Lender: People’s Piburo Inc., Wilton, by Buff United Bank, Bridgeport. Property: Young. Lender: The Wilton Bank, 166 Elm St., Bridgeport. Amount: Wilton. Property: Parcel 2, Wilton $450,000. Filed March 21. town map 5470, Wilton. Amount: $1 million. Filed March 9. Alliance Energy L.L.C., Waltham, Mass., by Edward Faneuil. Lender: RRP Partners L.L.C., Norwalk, Bank of America N.A., Boston, by Joseph Gaudio. Lender: T-Rex Mass. Property: 54 Padanaram Hyde Park Owner L.L.C., StamRoad, Danbury. Amount: $200 milford. Property: Lot 6, Norwalk lion. Filed March 6. town map 3050, Norwalk. Amount: $1 million. Filed March 19. Alliance Energy L.L.C., Waltham, Mass., by Edward Faneuil. Lender: Thorpe L.L.C., Fairfield, by MiBank of America N.A., Boston, chael Schinella. Lender: Fairfield Mass. Property: 113 Mill Plain County Bank, Ridgefield. Property: Road, Danbury. Amount: $200 mil1761 Post Road, Fairfield. Amount: lion. Filed March 6. $2.1 million. Filed March 14.
Tramuta Enterprises L.L.C., Milford, by Margaret Tramuta. Lender: Secure Capital Group L.L.C., Stratford. Property: 173 Bennett and 366 Anson streets, Bridgeport. Amount: $90,000. Filed March 21.
CHA Performance, 197 Calhoun Ave., Bridgeport 06604, c/o Carlos Rosa. Filed March 19. Clear View Window Washing, 394 Remington St., Bridgeport 06610, c/o John Zunita. Filed March 21.
New Businesses The Business Journal is not responsible for typographical errors con- Connecticut Fence and Landtained in the original filings. scaping, 199 Brushy Hill Road, Danbury 06810, c/o Kera Singer. $2.50 Cleaners, 415 Post Road Filed March 12. West, Westport 06880, c/o Yong Yun Kim. Filed March 9. Country Gardens and Pools L.L.C., 1 Grumman Hill Road, WilAll Tech Rentals, 9 Hadik Parkway, ton 06897, c/o Robin Leigh. Filed Norwalk 06854, c/o Christopher Feb. 27. Bargagna. Filed March 9. CT Challenge, P.O. Box 566, Andrews Co., 64 Manor Drive, Southport 06890, c/o Robert VazFairfield 06825, c/o Andrew zone. Filed Feb. 27. Chernyk. Filed March 12. D&B Cleaning, 16 Deerfield St., Angel’s Ultimate Landscaping Norwalk 06854, c/o Wilson DemL.L.C., 10 Austin St., Apt. 1, Dan- paire. Filed March 20. bury 06810, c/o Angel Suconota. Filed March 8. Design Centroid, 28 Rose Lane, Apt. 11, Danbury 06811, c/o TwinArmeo, 1011 North Ave., Bridge- kle Shah. Filed March 15. port 06606, c/o Luis Crespo. Filed March 19. Diher Repair L.L.C., 1 Third St., Norwalk 06855, c/o Diego Herrera. Associated Internists of Fairfield Filed March 8. County, 363 Reed Road, Fairfield 06824, c/o Michael Marks M.D. Eames L.L.C., 108 Dudley Road, Filed Feb. 29. Wilton 06897, c/o Eric Wood. Filed Feb. 2. Author M. L. Brooks, 83 Pixlee Place Rear, Bridgeport 06610, c/o East Side Coffee and More, 429 Michelle Brooks. Filed March 20. Barnum Ave., Bridgeport 06608, c/o Elizabeth Medina. Filed March 19. Best Planned Travel, 56 Mayfair Road, Fairfield 06824, c/o Inga Fla- El Placerito Tacos L.L.C., 21 Fullnagan. Filed Feb. 27. mar Lane, Norwalk 06850, c/o Andres Vazquez. Filed March 19. Bill’s Lawn Service, 170 Sturges Ridge Road, Wilton 06897, c/o Wil- ELA Discounts, 1321 Stratford liam Ely. Filed Jan. 30. Ave., Bridgeport 06607, c/o Abderrahman Benrahhal. Filed March 20. Brendan Muldowney Recording Engineer, 77 Crane St., Fairfield The Enriched Stitch, 196 Dan06825, c/o Brendan Muldowney. bury Road, Wilton 06897, c/o SuFiled Feb. 24. zanne Vallerie. Filed Feb. 7. C&C Vitamins, 157 Manhattan Expression Photo Booths L.L.C., Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Brenda 40 St. Mary’s Lane, Norwalk 06851, Telb-Perez. Filed March 15. c/o Robert Farris. Filed March 13. Caribbean Spice Cuisine, 2004 Fairfield County Fitness, 91 HawMain St., Bridgeport 06604, c/o thorne Drive, Fairfield 06825, c/o Toray Thomas. Filed March 21. Francis Driscoll. Filed March 16. Center for Women’s Care, 195 Fairfield Baseball Club, 312 EdDanbury Road, Wilton 06897, c/o ward St., Fairfield 06824, c/o David Michael Marks M.D. Filed March 1. Boback. Filed March 13.
22 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
on the record JOTC Capital, 125 Skunk Lane, Paul Lin Media, 22 Mollbrook Summit Lane Association, 706 Adjustable computer compoWilton 06897, c/o Thomas Dexter. Drive, Wilton 06897, c/o Paul Lin. Burr St., Fairfield 06824, c/o Henry nent mounting system. Patent no. Filed Feb. 3. Filed Feb. 10. 8,141,836 issued to: Manuel Saez, Angel. Filed March 14. Brooklyn, N.Y.; Stefan Spoerl, New York City; Kim ten Hacken, BrookFatima Barrosso Photography, Kalahari Tea Co., 7 Calvin Road, Pouring the Oil Publications, Sumra Messenger Service, lyn, N.Y.; and Lachezar Tsvetanov, 352 Wheeler Park Ave., Fairfield Wilton 06897, c/o Desre Tarr. Filed 25-100 Padanaram Road, Danbury 145 Longfellow Ave., Fairfield Stamford. Assigned to Humans06811, c/o Lizzie Louis. Filed March 7. 06825, c/o Gulsham Sumra. cale Corp., New York City. 06825, c/o Fatima Barrosso. Filed Jan. 23. March 5. Filed March 15. Falzone Development Co., 8 Barbara Drive, Norwalk 06851, c/o Paul Falzone. Filed March 7.
Frank Landscaping L.L.C., 103 Lexington Ave., Apt. 6, Norwalk 06854, c/o Francisco Ceja. Filed March 16. Freyes Construction, 422 Woodward Ave., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Fidel Reyes. Filed March 20. Funstein Forma Lalich & Associates, 2507 Post Road, Southport 06890, c/o Noel Forma. Filed March 19. G Force Motorsports, 1591 Railroad Ave., Bridgeport 06605, c/o William Anjone. Filed March 19.
Koda’s Crochet Critters, 1444 Melville Ave., Fairfield 06825, c/o Christina Evans-Matis. Filed Feb. 29.
Prism, The, 333 Bennett St., Fairfield 06825, c/o Michael Weiss. Sun Wok, 73 Main St., NorFiled Feb. 22. walk 06851, c/o Pan Kwok. Filed March 8.
L&A Electric, P.O. Box 99, Fairfield 06824, c/o Luis Saravia. Filed March 9.
Quick Shop Convenience, 213 Liberty Square, Norwalk 06855, c/o Sweet Blossom, 56 Stuart Ave., No. June Rao. Filed March 16. 5, Norwalk 06850, c/o Olga Gintsberg. Filed March 20.
La Vie Nous, 26 Kendall Court, Quiros Carpentry L.L.C., 21 BayNorwalk 06850, c/o Y. Natacha view Ave., Norwalk 06854, c/o Jose TBI Consulting, 170 W. Rocks Quiros. Filed March 13. Gandhi. Filed March 14. Road, Norwalk 06851, c/o Timothy Buzzee. Filed March 16. Lucy’s Avon, 122 Hart St., Apt. 5D, Rely-Teck, 249 Silver St., BridgeStamford 06905, c/o Lucienne Vol- port 06610, c/o Jose Rivera. Filed March 20. mar. Filed March 16.
Magical Memories with Mandy, Ryan Partnership, 50 Danbury 580 Rolling Hills Drive, Fairfield Road, Wilton 06897, c/o Lester 06824, c/o Amanda Bisack. Filed Preston Jr. Filed Jan. 25. G&M Painting, 2 Hemlock Place, March 8. Norwalk 06854, c/o German MonSach’s Home Remodeling, 47 tero. Filed March 8. Marini Construction, 76 Newton Pierce St., Fairfield 06825, c/o RichSt., Fairfield 06824, c/o Frank Mari- ard Sanchez. Filed Feb. 17. Gabrielle Amanda Makeup Art- ni. Filed March 21. ist, 80 Duane Place, Bridgeport Savvysnoots Dog Training L.L.C., 06610, c/o Gabrielle Rivera. Filed 26 Belden Ave., No. 2427, Norwalk MGS Catering L.L.C., 36 Benson March 20. St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Marilene 06850, c/o Sue Ellen McIntyre. Filed March 16. Da Silva. Filed March 19. Gap Painting and Home Services, 54 Stuart Ave., No. 8, Norwalk 06850, c/o Gerardo Porros. Filed Mora Painting L.L.C., 25 Com- SC Maintenance and Home Immerce St., Second floor, Norwalk provement, 60 Wolfpit Ave., Apt. March 14. 06850, c/o Miguel Flores-Mora. 3A, Norwalk 06851, c/o Stavros Christakos. Filed March 8. Filed March 20. General Home Maintenance and Remodeling, 8 Shadow Lane, Norwalk 06851, c/o Pedro Alvarado. Mota Cleaning Services, 286 Seven Shipping and MultiserMain St., Apt. 5, Danbury 06810, vices, 3931 Main St., Bridgeport Filed March 13. 06606, c/o Elvia Nunez. Filed c/o Rosanea Mota. Filed March 7. March 15. Glen Hill Search Group, 5 River Road, Suite 213, Wilton 06897, c/o MPR-PC Service L.L.C., 8 Taylor Ave., Unit 1, Norwalk 06854, c/o Shekinah Judah, 40 Wake St., Andrew Pratt. Filed March 8. Bridgeport 06610, c/o Angela ButMarino Diaz. Filed March 19. ler. Filed March 19. Gonza Painting, 24 Cliff St., Norwalk 06854, c/o Doris Gonzabay. My Watchworld, 84 Broad St., Norwalk 06850, c/o Edmund Orce. Smart Handgun Safety, 661 IraFiled March 20. nistan Ave., Bridgeport 06605, c/o Filed March 20. Jesus Ruiz. Filed March 20. Gonzalez Consulting, 76 Cedar St., Norwalk 06854, c/o Nathalia New England Shutter Co., 657 Rowland Road, Fairfield 06814, c/o SmartBus Live, 265 Fern St., FairGonzalez. Filed March 20. field 06824, c/o Thomas O’Connor. Peter Stern. Filed March 1. Filed March 12. Happy Feet Cleaners, 10 Park Place, Danbury 06810, c/o Diane N-Image of One L.L.C., 35 Silvermine Ave., Norwalk 06850, c/o Ra- Soho, 7 Backus Ave., Danbury Jacinto. Filed March 15. 06810, c/o Dong Chul Park. Filed chel Saunders. Filed March 9. March 15. Innovative Dental Solutions, 400 Post Road, Fairfield 06824, c/o Ortega’s Restaurante and Diner, 2B Ives St., Danbury 06810, c/o Sour Denim, 2484 E. Main St., Busia Stern. Filed March 7. Bridgeport 06610, c/o Ja Conna Danielle Quijada. Filed March 8. Sowell. Filed March 20.
Tots and Tails, 430 Cascade Drive, Fairfield 06825, c/o Elizabeth Isenberg. Filed March 19. Transcript Management Inc., 7 Weatherbell Drive, Norwalk 06851, c/o Michael Hughes. Filed March 15. Unique Divisions L.L.C., 187 Pitt St., Bridgeport 06606, c/o Wiston Flores. Filed March 20. Uva’s Landscaping L.L.C., 41 Gregory Blvd., Norwalk 06855, c/o Roberto Uva. Filed March 12. Yoon’s Lawn Service, 13 Beacon View Drive, Fairfield 06825, c/o Jeong Sik Yoon. Filed March 22.
Patents Accessory device with magnetic attachment. Patent no. 8,138,869 issued to: Andrew Lauder, San Francisco, Calif.; Matthew D. Rohrbach, San Francisco, Calif.; Daniel J. Coster, San Francisco, Calif.; Christopher J. Stringer, Woodside, Calif.; Florence W. Ow, San Francisco, Calif.; Jiang Ai, Cupertino, Calif.; Jonathan P. Ive, San Francisco, Calif.; Elvis M. Kibiti, San Francisco, Calif.; John P. Ternus, Redwood City, Calif.; and Sean D. Lubner, Trumbull. Assigned to Apple Inc., Cupertino, Calif. Adhesive suture structure and methods of using the same. Patent no. 8,142,475 issued to Frank J. Viola, Sandy Hook. Assigned to Tyco Healthcare Group L.P., Mansfield, Mass.
Apparatuses useful for printing and methods for controlling the temperature of media in apparatuses useful for printing. Patent no. 8,143,558 issued to: Nicholas P. Kladias, Fresh Meadows, N.Y.; Gerald A. Domoto, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.; Augusto E. Barton, Webster, N.Y.; and Anthony S. Condello, Webster, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Admission control for services. Corp., Norwalk. Patent no. 8,144,629 issued to Haidar Chamas, White Plains, N.Y. and William A. Bjorkman, Danbury. Bicycle carrier rack. Patent no. Assigned to Verizon Services D656,456 issued to: Michael Tinstman, Malden, Mass.; Thomas J. Corp., Ashburn, Va. Hanson, Rye, N.Y.; John Laverack, Southbury; Greg Weaver, WaterAmbient light control system. bury; Timothy J. Makris, Sandy Patent no. 8,143,567 issued to: Jon- Hook; and Kevin S. Bogoslofski, athan D. Williams, Austin, Texas; Southington. Assigned to Thule Thomas J. Hartnagel, Taylor, Texas; Sweden AB, Sweden. Robert A. Martin, Pflugerville, Texas; and R. Kurt Bender, Dripping Springs, Texas. Assigned to Hub- Breast saver: an ergonomic dynamic bra with combo cups. bell Inc., Shelton. Patent no. 8,142,256 issued to Cassandra Rose, Naples, Fla. and Heidi Analgesic combination of oxy- Lehmann, Stamford. Assigned to codone and nimesulide. Patent VIBRANT L.L.C., Milwaukee, Wis. no. 8,143,267 issued to: Ronald M. Burch, Wilton; Richard S. Sackler, Greenwich; and Paul D. Golden- Cassette filter and cover-plate. heim, Wilton. Assigned to Purdue Patent no. D656,579 issued to: Michael Sherman, Woodbury, Minn.; Pharma L.P., Stamford. Stephen P. Huda, Shelton; and Steven J. Haehn, Oakdale, Minn. AsAnvil assembly with improved signed to KX Technologies L.L.C., cut ring. Patent no. 8,141,763 is- West Haven. sued to Keith L. Milliman, Bethel. Assigned to Tyco Healthcare Cassette filter manifold. Patent Group L.P., North Haven. no. D656,580 issued to: Michael Sherman, Woodbury, Minn.; SteApparatus for securing a spinal phen P. Huda, Shelton; and Steven rod system. Patent no. 8,142,482 J. Haehn, Oakdale, Minn. Assigned issued to David Nichols, Trumbull to KX Technologies L.L.C., West and Eric Finley, San Diego, Calif. Haven. Assigned to Howmedica Osteonics Corp., Mahwah, N.J. Cassette filter. Patent no. D656,578 issued to: Michael Sherman, WoodApparatus, method and comput- bury, Minn.; Stephen P. Huda, Sheler-readable storage medium for ton; and Steven J. Haehn, Oakdale, determining the ring-down time Minn. Assigned to KX Technoloin a spectrometer system. Patent gies L.L.C., West Haven. no. 8,144,323 issued to: Alexander Majewski, Fairfield; Robert Noll, Fairfield; and Rene Abreu, The Vil- Clamp for mixed mail sorter. Patlages, Fla. Assigned to Goodrich ent no. 8,143,548 issued to Denis J. Stemmle, Stratford. Assigned to Corp., Charlotte, N.C. Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md. Apparatuses useful for printing and corresponding methods. Patent no. 8,145,110 issued to An- Coating dispersion for optically thony S. Condello, Webster, N.Y. suitable and conductive antiand Augusto E. Barton, Webster, curl back coating layer. Patent no. N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., 8,142,967 issued to: Yuhua Tong, Webster, N.Y.; Edward F. GrabowsNorwalk. ki, Webster, N.Y.; Donald J. Goodman, Pittsford, N.Y.; Kock-Yee Law, Penfield, N.Y.; and Robert C. U. Yu, Webster, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 23
on the record Compact load path swashplate assembly. Patent no. 8,142,158 issued to: David N. Schmaling, Southbury; Michael R. Robbins, Guilford; and Frank P. D’Anna, Seymour. Assigned to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford. Controlled release hydrocodone formulations. Patent no. 8,142,811 issued to: Benjamin Oshlack, New York City; Hua-Pin Huang, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.; John K. Masselink, Old Tappan, N.J.; and Alfred P. Tonelli, Congers, N.Y. Assigned to Purdue Pharma L.P., Stamford.
Method and apparatus for conditional payouts in a gaming device. Patent no. 8,142,280 issued to: Jay S. Walker, Ridgefield; Russell P. Sammon, San Francisco, Calif.; Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, San Francisco, Calif.; Daniel E. Tedesco, Huntington; and Robert C. Tedesco, Fairfield. Assigned to International Game Technology, Reno, Nev. Method and apparatus for facilitating entry into bonus rounds. Patent no. 8,142,272 issued to: Jay S. Walker, Ridgefield; James A. Jorasch, New York City; and Geoffrey M. Gelman, Boston, Mass. Assigned to International Game Technology, Reno, Nev.
Effective scheduling algorithm for belt space conservation. Patent no. 8,145,087 issued to Ayata J. Boldon, Rochester, N.Y. and Bejan Method and apparatus for imM. Shemirani, Penfield, N.Y. As- proving raster image processing performance for variable inforsigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. mation printing having reusable objects. Patent no. 8,144,355 issued Electrical connector assembly to William E. Nelson, Penfield, N.Y. with enhanced grounding. Pat- and; James M. Sweet, Rochester, ent no. 8,143,535 issued to Delbert N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Auray, Southport and Kenneth M. Norwalk. Kiely, Milford. Assigned to Bridgeport Fittings Inc., Stratford. Method and apparatus to debug an integrated circuit chip Electrical switch. Patent no. via synchronous clock stop and 8,143,546 issued to Robert V. De scan. Patent no. 8,140,925 issued France, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. As- to: Ralph E. Bellofatto, Ridgefield; signed to Hubbell Inc., Shelton. Matthew R. Ellavsky, Rochester, Minn.; Alan G. Gara, Mount Kisco, Flexible cathodes. Patent no. N.Y.; Mark E. Giampapa, Irving8,142,918 issued to: Christopher ton, N.Y.; Thomas M. Gooding, Boczer, Shelton; Frank M. Delnick, Rochester, Minn.; Rudolf A. HarSouthbury; Rosario Del Rosauro, ing, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.; Lance Danbury; Minkoo Kang, New G. Hehenberger, Leander, Texas; Milford; Lucyna M. Pawlowska, and Martin Ohmacht, Yorktown Norwalk; Michael Pozin, Brook- Heights, N.Y. Assigned to Internafield; Dharmendra Rana, Danbury; tional Business Machines Corp., Maya Stevanovic, Framingham, Armonk, N.Y. Mass.; and John J. Weckesser, Oxford. Assigned to The Gillette Co., Method and system for identiBoston, Mass. fying companies with specific
business objectives. Patent no. Fuel cell supply having fuel 8,145,619 issued to: Timothy R. compatible materials. Patent no. Bowden, Sparks, Md.; Upendra 8,141,845 issued to: Paul Adams, Chitnis, Jersey City, N.J.; Ildar K. Monroe; Andrew J. Curello, Ham- Khabibrakhmanov, Syosset, N.Y.; den; and Floyd Fairbanks, Nau- Richard D. Lawrence, Ridgefield; gatuck. Assigned to Société Bic, Yan Liu, Elmsford, N.Y.; and Prem Melville, White Plains, N.Y. AsFrance. signed to International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, N.Y. LED lamp. Patent no. D656,631 issued to James Leahy, Old Greenwich and Edward Rodriguez, Method and system for producWakefield, Mass. Assigned to Solais ing hard copies of electronic information employing a porLighting Inc., Stamford. table personal receiving device. Patent no. 8,145,265 issued to J. Lighting assembly having end Brent Pawlecki, New York City and wall with retaining member. Pat- Douglas B. Quine, Bethel. Assigned ent no. 8,142,048 issued to James A. to Pitney Bowes Inc., Stamford. Risley Sr., Bristol, Pa. Assigned to Hubbell Inc., Shelton.
Method for controlling a toner preparation process. Patent no. 8,142,975 issued to: Daryl W. Vanbesien, Canada; Paul Gerroir, Canada; Karen A. Moffat, Canada; Melanie L. Davis, Canada; Abdisamed Sheik-Qasim, Canada; David Kurceba, Canada; Faisal Shamshad, Canada; Michael D’Amato, Canada; and Juan A. Morales-Tirado, West Henrietta, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Methods and systems for processing heavy-tailed job distributions in a document production environment. Patent no. 8,144,364 issued to Sudhendu Rai, Fairport, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Methods and systems for scheduling job sets in a production environment. Patent no. 8,145,517 issued to Sudhendu Rai, Fairport, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Methods of treating fragile X syndrome and autism. Patent no. 8,143,311 issued to: Kathryn Roberts, Fairfield; Randall L. Carpenter, Boston, Mass.; and Mark F. Bear, Boston, Mass. Assigned to Seaside Therapeutics Inc., Cambridge, Mass. Pacifier. Patent no. D656,619 issued to Vincent Valderrama, Stamford and Diana Sierra, North Bergen, N.J. Assigned to Playtex Products L.L.C., Shelton. Packaging for combination shaving and trimming device. Patent no. D656,008 issued to: James Arthur Meech, Sharon, Mass.; John Philip Kalinowsky, Danbury; John Kevin Clay, Milford; Kristopher William Schulz, Framingham, Mass.; Barry Alan Rowing, Great Britain; Trevor David Hubbard, Great Britain; Matthew Michael Long, Methuen, Mass.; Christopher Moulson, North Andover, Mass.; Bruce William Palmer, Sandwich, Mass.; and Jiong Hui Li, Quincy, Mass. Assigned to The Gillette Co., Boston, Mass.
Photoreceptor with release layer. Patent no. 8,142,968 issued to: Robert P. Altavela, Webster, N.Y.; Yuhua Tong, Webster, N.Y.; Edward F. Grabowski, Webster, N.Y.; Kent J. Evans, Lima, N.Y.; Adilson Ramos, Webster, N.Y.; Nancy Belknap, Rochester, N.Y.; and Helen R. Cherniack, Rochester, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk.
Surgical tool having positively positionable tendon-actuated multidisk wrist joint. Patent no. 8,142,421 issued to: Thomas G. Cooper, Menlo Park, Calif.; Daniel T. Wallace, Redwood City, Calif.; Stacey Chang, Sunnyvale, Calif.; S. Christopher Anderson, San Francisco, Calif.; Dustin Williams, Mountain View, Calif.; and Scott E. Manzo, Shelton. Assigned to Intuitive Surgical Operations Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif.
Polymer latex compound. Patent no. 8,142,813 issued to Gerald Merovitz, Dover, Del. Assigned to Playtex Products Inc., Westport. System and method for improving failure detection using collective intelligence with end-usProducing metal and carbon er feedback. Patent no. 8,145,073 dioxide with hydrogen recycle. issued to: Guillaume Bouchard, Patent no. 8,142,542 issued to: France; Victor Ciriza, France; LauRaymond Francis Drnevich, Clar- rent Donini, France; and Pascal ence Center, N.Y.; Joseph Michael Valobra, France. Assigned to Xerox Schwartz, Williamsville, N.Y.; Min- Corp., Norwalk. ish Mahendra Shah, East Amherst, N.Y.; and Dante Patrick Bonaquist, Grand Island, N.Y. Assigned to System and method for locating Praxair Technology Inc., Dan- aircraft passengers. Patent no. 8,145,511 issued to Ron Dunsky, bury. Brooklyn, N.Y. Assigned to PASSUR Aerospace Inc., Stamford. Radiation curable ink containing gellant and radiation curable wax. Patent no. 8,142,557 issued System and method for multito: Jennifer L. Belelie, Canada; Pe- stage tail number acquisition. ter G. Odell, Canada; Eniko Toma, Patent no. 8,145,612 issued to: Canada; Christopher A. Wagner, James Barry, Madison; James Cole, Canada; C. Geoffrey Allen, Canada; East Setauket, N.Y.; Matthew Marand Stephan V. Drappel, Canada. cella, West Hempstead, N.Y.; and Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Ron Dunsky, Brooklyn, N.Y. Assigned to PASSUR Aerospace Inc., Stamford. Request for information related to broadcast network content. Patent no. 8,146,126 issued to: Da- System and method for processvid Downey, Sherman; Bruce J. An- ing portions of documents using derson, Chesterfield, N.J.; and Dan- variable data. Patent no. 8,144,360 iel C. Wilson, Canada. Assigned to issued to Robert R. Buckley, RochInvidi Technologies Corp., Princ- ester, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. eton, N.J. Reverse flow gas gauge proximity sensor. Patent no. 8,144,306 issued to Joseph H. Lyons, Wilton. Assigned to ASML Holding N.V., The Netherlands.
System and method for suppressing noise by frequency dither. Patent no. 8,145,064 issued to Alexander J. Majewski, Fairfield and Rene Abreu, The Villages, Fla. Assigned to Goodrich Corp., Charlotte, N.C.
System, method and computer program product for electronically responding to requests for product-related data. Patent no. 8,145,647 issued to: Michael A. Gruskin, West Bloomfield, Mich. ; Barbara L. Ciaramitaro, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. ; and Edward C. Wolfe, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. . Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Temperature monitoring system for a media preheater. Patent no. 8,141,975 issued to John Barry Poxon, Great Britain. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Therapeutic peptides. Patent no. 8,143,380 issued to: Kenneth W. Walker, Newbury Park, Calif.; Olaf B. Kinstler, Newbury Park, Calif.; and Karen C. Sitney, Weston. Assigned to Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, Calif. Toner compositions. Patent no. 8,142,970 issued to: Zhen Lai, Webster, N.Y.; Yuhua Tong, Webster, N.Y.; Chieh-Min Cheng, Rochester, N.Y.; Peter V. Nguyen, Webster, N.Y.; and Jon T. Owens, Spencerport, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Toner concentration system control with state estimators and state feedback methods. Patent no. 8,145,078 issued to: Lalit Keshav Mestha, Fairport, N.Y.; Sohail A. Dianat, Pittsford, N.Y.; Bharathi Venkitaraman, Morton, Ill.; and Douglas Kreckel, Webster, N.Y. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk. Validation assisted document conversion design. Patent no. 8,145,992 issued to Thierry Jacquin, France and Jean-Pierre Chanod, France. Assigned to Xerox Corp., Norwalk.
Wearable electronic device with multiple display functionality. Patent no. 8,144,547 issued to: Michel G. Plancon, France; Louis M. Structures for semiconductor Galie, Newtown; Herbert Schwartz, structures with error detection and correction. Patent no. System for percutaneously fix- Germany; Gerhard Stotz, Germa8,146,046 issued to: Timothy Jo- ing a connecting rod to a spine. ny; and Ronald S. Lizzi, Bethany. seph Dalton, Ridgefield; Marc Ray- Patent no. 8,142,437 issued to Scott Assigned to Timex Group B.V., mond Faucher, South Burlington, McLean, Waterbury and Steven The Netherlands. Pharmaceutical compositions, Vt.; Paul David Kartschoke, Wil- Seyer, Shelton. Assigned to Spine including low dosages of des- liston, Vt.; and Peter Anthony San- Wave Inc., Shelton. Zinc sulfide substrates for group mopressin. Patent no. 8,143,225 don, Essex Junction, Vt. Assigned III-nitride epitaxy and group issued to Seymour Fein, New Ca- to International Business MaIII-nitride devices. Patent no. naan. Assigned to Allergan Inc., chines Corp., Armonk, N.Y. 8,143,630 issued to Shaoping Wang, Irvine, Calif. Brookfield. Assigned to Fairfield Crystal Technology L.L.C., New Milford.
24 Week of April 9, 2012 • Fairfield County Business Journal a division of Westfair Business Publications • www.westfaironline.com
+VOJPS "DIJFWFNFOU VTFT IBOET PO FYQFSJFODFT UP IFMQ ZPVOH QFPQMF VOEFSTUBOE UIF FDPOPNJDT PG MJGF *O QBSUOFSTIJQ XJUI CVTJOFTT BOE FEVDBUPST +VOJPS "DIJFWFNFOU CSJOHT UIF SFBM XPSME UP TUVEFOUT PQFOJOH UIFJS NJOET UP UIFJS QPUFOUJBM
Join Junior Achievement in the promise to educate and inspire students... to improve the quality of their lives. What better way to invest in the future than to invest in our children—they are our future! Make a positive impact in their lives by becoming a volunteer classroom mentor. Please contact your local JA office to learn more about how you can make a difference in a child's life.
JA—Hudson Valley, Inc.
tel: 914.524.9760 T e-mail: info@jahudsonvalley.org T http://hudsonvalley.ja.org
JA—Southwest CT, Inc.
tel: 203.854.1700 T e-mail: info@jaswct.com T http://stamfordct.ja.org
JA—Western JA—Western CT, CT, Inc. Inc.
tel: 203.382.0180 â–˛ T e-mail: e-mail:ja@jaconnecticut.com jabridgeport@worldnet.att.net T http://bridgeport.ja.org â–˛ http://bridgeport.ja.org
JA—Northeastern New York, Inc., Mid-Hudson Region
tel: 845.331.3540 â–˛ e-mail: jabreer@aol.com â–˛ www.janeny.org This space provided by Westfair Business Publications as a public service.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 25
faces&places Roundtable discussion It was a full house at Valbella Restaurant in Greenwich March 29 as Westfair Communications Inc., publisher of the Fairfield County Business Journal, hosted a roundtable discussion on bias in the workplace. It was sponsored by Jackson Lewis L.L.P. Among those attending the event were: — All photographs by Bob Rozycki 1. Nick Zherka, manager of Valbella restaurant. 14. Donna de Varona, former U.S. Olympic swimming gold medalist. 15. David Hochberg and Kris Ruby. 4. Rodica Ceslov and Ben Fan. 5. Arisleyda Riehl and Kim Kiriazidis. 6. Preston Turco and Peter Carini. 7. Danielle Scialpi, Garvey Fox and Patricia Valenti. 8. Carol Robinson and Teresa De Groat. 9. Erica Sabella and Monica Bourgie. 10. Deena Kaye and Francine Blinten. 11. Susan Newman and Nancy Elyze Brier. 12. Gary Meglino and Sandee Bennett. 13. Andrew and Stacey Hascoe. 2. Potoula Gjidija and Robi Ludwig, a panelist. 3. Nancy Silberkleit and Jeanmarie Connolly.
8
12
2
1
3
4
5
7
6
10
9
13
11
1414
15 15
26 Week Week of of April April 9, 9, 2012 2012 •• FAIRFIELD Fairfield COUNTY County BUSINESS Business JOURNAL Journal aa division division of of Westfair Westfair Business Business Publications Publications •• www.westfaironline.com www.westfaironline.com
Business ConneCtions Issues & PolIcIes
InsIde the CapItol
State’s Debt Burden Among Highest in U.S.
Back to the Future
C
onnecticut has one of the largest debt burdens in the United States relative to personal income, according to a new study by Fitch Ratings.
I
n 1993, CBIA aired a television spot illustrating the need for Connecticut to adopt education reforms. Sadly, almost 20 years later, the same spot could still run, unchanged.
Fitch’s updated rating system combines each state’s net tax-supported debt with unfunded pension obligations, according to a report the company released this week.
While other states acted, Connecticut ignored reform. While other states showed foresight and courage, Connecticut did little. The result? Soaring dropout rates. Dwindling graduation rates. The nation’s worst achievement gap. And too many of our children denied the chance for a great education. Governor Dannel Malloy’s reform proposals, as outlined in SB 24, promised much: rescuing at-risk students, fixing broken schools, supporting teachers and administrators, offering parents more choices, and demanding transparency and accountability. Connecticut voters support education reform. So do parent groups, school administrators, and community and business leaders.
We can’t wait... Why isn’t Connecticut moving ahead with real reforms? Adopting ideas that are working in other states? Are we going to talk for another 20 years? How many more studies do we need? Where’s the sense of urgency? ➤ Read more at gov.cbia.com
Human ResouRces
Getting It All Done with an HR Department of One
H
R professionals try to do it all—fight fires, educate senior managers, serve as an employee liaison—with limited resources. But when you are the HR department, how do you handle responsibilities often reserved for an entire staff? According to Carol Kardas, president of KardasLarson, LLC and speaker at CBIA’s Annual HR Conference, accepting your limitations is one key to solo HR success. “As HR folks, we want everything to be 100% correct,” she said. “Ninety-nine percent is sometimes good enough. Give yourself permission that 99% is sometimes OK. You can’t do it all.” Kardas offered this advice: f Multitask: Prioritize your projects. Determine what you can let go or postpone.
f Be fair across the board. Make rules for the many, not for one. f Be credible and efficient: Tell people exactly how much time you need to complete an assignment and give yourself enough time to do it. Don’t overpromise. f Conduct an HR audit: Investigate your organizations current practices, policies, and procedures. Review benefits, compensation, legal compliance, personnel files, etc. f Get to know your managers: Learn their hot button issues, attend their department meetings, shadow employees to understand their jobs. ➤ Read more at cbia.com
While the median value for all states measured is 6.9% of personal income, Connecticut is twice as high and ranked fourth in the U.S. at 13.7%. Before pensions are added to the calculation, Connecticut is second in the U.S. at 9.3%. “States with the highest combined metrics, including Hawaii, Illinois, Connecticut, and Kentucky,” said Fitch, “have seen credit deterioration in recent years reflecting in part their liability burdens.” A previous study by Moody’s used its own formula but came to the same conclusion— it also placed Connecticut third in the U.S. for debt burden as percentage of personal income. “First steps have been taken in Connecticut to better control pension and other unfunded liabilities,” said CBIA Economist Pete Gioia. “But obviously these ratings show continued efforts will be needed.” Meanwhile, Connecticut became the first public-debt issuer to get a grade from Kroll Bond Ratings, with an AA rank assigned to its $14 billion of general-obligation bonds, according to the state treasurer’s office. The mark is Kroll’s third-highest, matching the level the state receives from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. Moody’s Investors Service rates the state Aa3, fourth-highest. ➤ Read more at gov.cbia.com
FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL • Week of April 9, 2012 27
FAIRFIELD COUNTY
PARTNERS
40UNDER40
2012 FAIRFIELD COUNTY
40UNDER40 Be part of Fairfield County business history.
Nominate a candidate (perhaps yourself) who fits the description of young (under the age of 40), dynamic industry leader who is part of the county’s business growth. Nomination forms are available on westfaironline.com. Nomination deadline is April 19. Please act quickly. For more information, call (914) 694-3600, ext. 3031.