Fairfield County Business Journal: 081919 by Westfair Business Journal

AUGUST 19, 2019 VOL. 55, No. 33

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ACTING LABOR SECRETARY PATRICK PIZZELLA INSIDE PAGE

CATHOLIC RADIO

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RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Competing for workers in a tight labor market

CONNECTICUT’S CONTINUING CASINO CONTROVERSY

ACTING U.S. LABOR SECRETARY TOUTS EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS, NEW ROCHELLE ROOTS BY PETER KATZ pkatz@westfairinc.com

estchester and Fairfield businesses, like their counterparts nationally, should prioritize finding and hiring employees in a highly competitive labor market, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella told the Business

Journal during an Aug. 8 interview. “With a 3.7% unemployment rate it’s competitive out there to hire people,” he said. “For the last year there have been a million more job openings in the country than there are job seekers, so the challenge for business is to find, hire and retain employees they need to produce the goods and services so they can make a profit

and create wealth and hire more people.” Pizzella said what he hears most from business leaders is, “I’ve got to find more skilled workers.” He continued, “At the Department of Labor (DOL), we have a big initiative in the apprenticeship area and apprenticeships have become quite popular again. We have an Office of Apprenticeship here and we actually have a proposed rule out to make apprenticeships easier to establish in different industries.” Pizzella said the apprenticeship idea “works out pretty well” for the department because “we have a » LABOR

MGM RESORTS SUES INTERIOR DEPARTMENT TO HALT EAST WINDSOR CASINO BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL has made good on its threat to pursue litigation to prevent the opening of an East Windsor casino operated by the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes. However, the target of the litigation was not in Connecticut, but in the nation’s capital. MGM Resorts filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of the Interior, seeking to void the department’s approval of amendments that enable the tribes’ MMCT joint venture to build

and operate a commercial casino on non-tribal land. “Interior’s approval decisions establish an unlawful state-conferred monopoly over commercial gaming rights in Connecticut,” MGM Resorts said in a statement. “These decisions also stand in the way of an open, competitive process that MGM believes would result in a better deal for the people of Connecticut. An open process would allow the state to evaluate competing proposals and choose the operator that offers the best investment opportunity, creates the most new jobs and economic expansion and maximizes revenue » CASINO

Startup broadcaster brings EWTN programming to WNLK-AM MAIN OFFICE TELEPHONE 914-694-3600 OFFICE FAX 914-694-3699 EDITORIAL EMAIL bobr@westfairinc.com WRITE TO 701 Westchester Avenue, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604

BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

t is not uncommon for people of faith to have an unexpected event in their lives that results in an acute shift from the secular world to the religious realm. For Wall Street professional Steve Lee, his life-altering event was not on the road to Damascus, but somewhere in the midst of an I-95 traffic jam. “In July 2017, I was driving into work and listening to EWTN on the radio,” said Lee, referring to the broadcasting network focused on Roman Catholic news and talk show programming. “During one of the breaks, a guy came on and said, ‘My name is Jack Williams. I’m the head of EWTN Radio and if you want to bring Catholic radio to your part of the country please give me a call.’ So, I really didn’t think anything of it and went into the office.” Lee’s devotion to the Roman Catholic mission preceded his Wall Street years with development work on behalf of the nonprofit Legionnaires of Christ, and his eagerness to return to that environment began to percolate. The day after he heard EWTN’s Williams on the radio, he decided to phone him. “I didn’t even know what I was going to say to him,” he said. “He picked up and caught me by surprise.” Fast forward to today, Lee is the head of Veritas Catholic Network, Fairfield County’s newest broadcasting company, and the owner of WNLK-AM 1350, which is offering EWTN programming to regional listeners. But Lee’s career change was emotionally tumultuous, and the first obstacle he needed to overcome was his own doubts. “I began a novena to the Holy Spirit that day and I asked for two things: ‘1, Lord, just tell me if you want me to be involved in something like this in some way; and, 2, if you do, bring people into my life who can help me,’ ” he recalled. “On the second or third day of the novena, I was driving home and I decided to tell my wife what I was praying about. And my wife said, ‘Wow, Steve, when did you lose your mind?’ ” Lee admitted that his wife was not alone in her skepticism, adding that many people view radio as something of an antiquated medium in the modern digital era. But some careful data digging began to ease his concerns. “Nielsen research from 2018

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Publisher Dee DelBello Managing Editor/Print Glenn J. Kalinoski Managing Editor/Digital Bob Rozycki Associate Publisher Anne Jordan Group Associate Publisher Dan Viteri NEWS Bureau Chief • Kevin Zimmerman Senior Enterprise Editor • Phil Hall Copy and Video Editor • Peter Katz Senior Reporter • Bill Heltzel, Reporters • Georgette Gouveia, Mary Shustack Research Coordinator • Luis Flores ART & PRODUCTION Creative Director Dan Viteri Art Director Sebastián Flores Art Director Kelsie Mania

Steve Lee, owner of Veritas Catholic Network, in his Stamford office. Photo by Phil Hall.

found something like 94% of teens listen to AM/FM radio monthly, as well as 97% of millennials, 98% of Gen X and 99% of baby boomers,” he stated. Still, Lee needed extra support to affirm his decision and he called a priest who was a family friend. To his surprise, he discovered that the priest’s brother was Chris Check, president of Catholic Answers, the nation’s top-ranked Roman Catholic radio talk show. Lee was introduced to Check via a two-hour telephone call, which then led to further phone calls with broadcasting-focused attorneys and media brokers. “And I said, ‘OK Lord, you’re bringing the second thing about bringing people into my life,’ ” he said, recalling the second part of his novena. By the spring of 2018, Lee created Veritas Catholic Network with the goal of acquiring a radio station serving Fairfield County as an EWTN affiliate. But conversations with media brokers ended the same way as Lee was told the market had no radio stations for sale and little recent history of station ownership turnover. Lee was ready to call it quits

when one broker reached out with a tip. He heard that Sacred Heart University wanted to jettison WNLK-AM in Norwalk, which it purchased from Cox Media in 2011 along with WSTC-AM 1400. The university also owns WSHU-FM 91.1 and it did not want to continue operating three stations. WNLK, which consisted of paid programming by religions organizations, was the station that would be let go. Last December, Lee’s Veritas Catholic Network signed an agreement to purchase WNLK from the university for $300,000. The sale included an FM translator at 103.9 MHz that will enable WNLK to simulcast on the FM dial. Lee closed the deal on Aug. 9 and on Aug. 21 he will flip the switch to begin WNLK’s new chapter as an EWTN affiliate. Thanks to digital technology, Lee does not need to run a physical radio station. WNLK will operate from the desktop computer in his Stamford office. Lee plans to begin running the EWTN feed 24/7 before he launches original local programming. The network’s affiliate program requires at least 80% of the day devoted to ETWN with the remaining percentage given to

original shows. “We have a whole roster of show ideas that we have to put on the air,” said Lee, adding that he was planning a morning drivetime program and had offered Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Diocese of Bridgeport his own show. “We want to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ and radio is an incredibly effective and powerful medium.” Lee would like to expand Veritas Catholic Network’s operations into ownership of stations across Westchester, the rest of Connecticut and Rhode Island — three markets where EWTN does not have a radio presence. He did not see the distinctive religious focus of the programming as a limiting factor, observing that “there are a ton of non-Catholics that listen to EWTN.” As for his career-shifting experience, Lee recognized he has no time to rest on his initial accomplishment. “It’s been scary, exhilarating and exciting, and my faith has definitely changed over this process,” he said. “Not to mention that for the past five months I’ve had no income. And with a family, I know I have to get this going.”

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ONLY IN AMERICA Diners can thank Mexican trade agreement for chain of Puerto Vallarta restaurants BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

iscerning diners can thank GATT for the expanding Puerto Vallarta chain of Mexican restaurants. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which Mexico approved in 1986 to restructure its economy — thereby leading to closer ties with the U.S. — had enough of a devastating effect on rural Mexico that Esaul Rodriguez, founder and owner of the chain, said he was forced to move north. GATT “killed the local economy in Jalisco,” Rodriguez’s hometown, he said at his 98 Newtown Road restaurant in Danbury. “Corn, sugarcane, even cattle prices fell drastically, so a lot of us emigrated to the United States.” Then only 16, Rodriguez ended up in Seattle, where he began working at his

uncle’s Mexican restaurant. Within five years, he said, he had moved up from busser to cook, eventually learning not just how to create many of the dishes on the menu but also the logistics of running a business. Five years later, with his brother Juan — still his business partner — Rodriguez opened his own eatery in Coos Bay, Oregon. “But the city had the highest unemployment rate in Oregon — 19, 20%,” he said. “And it seemed like there was a Mexican restaurant on every block.” Flirting with Idaho (“I didn’t have a great feeling about it.”) and Utah (“A lot of Mormons, who, of course, don’t drink coffee, tea or alcohol.”) led nowhere, so Rodriguez went to the library and found that Connecticut at the time had the highest per-capita income. Thus was the first Puerto Vallarta, in West Hartford, born in 2000.

Puerto Vallarta founder and owner Esaul Rodriguez at his restaurant at 98 Newtown Road in Danbury.

Since then Puerto Vallartas have popped up in Newington, Middletown, Southington, Avon, Orange and, in 2016, Danbury. The chain’s next location will be at 2000 Blackrock Turnpike in Fairfield, sometime between Aug. 15 and 20, “depending on how the work goes,” Rodriguez said. “We’re 99% done now.”

The 6,000-square-foot Fairfield site, at the former location of Bear and Grill, will include a 1,000-squarefoot patio that alone can hold 100, in addition to the approximately 300 who can sit indoors. Rodriguez said he’s spent about $2 million on the Fairfield location — not to mention about 15 years. “We have been very inter-

ested in Fairfield for a long time,” he said. “But there is a certain amount of square footage that we prefer, the parking lot is very important, the street and the rent has to be right.” Population, income and support for neighboring businesses are all factors in deciding where to open, Rodriguez said. “We are not the most expensive place to eat, but we’re not the least expensive either,” he said. “Our feeling is that if you’re in an area where other places are doing well, you are likely to do well. If the nearby places are doing badly, your chances of doing well are not so great.” Along with Juan, two other Rodriguez brothers — Esaul is the sixth of 10 siblings — are involved with managing the growing Puerto Vallarta empire. All came to the U.S. at different times, again driven by GATT’s impact on the Mexican economy.

As for what sets his restaurants apart, Rodriguez — who still develops most of the chain’s recipes — pointed to a focus on freshness and high-quality ingredients, along with fast and friendly service. Factors like those “have turned us into a destination for a lot of people,” he said. “We get customers here (in Danbury) not just from the rest of the county but from New Rochelle, Queens, even Brooklyn.” Asked whether there are more Puerto Vallartas to come, Rodriguez grinned. “We’re always looking to grow,” he said, “and as we continue to develop from a sort of mom-and-pop organization to one that’s more corporate we could explore franchising. We’re looking at all the options. I’d like to get into New York state, if not necessarily New York City. But right now we’re happy where we are.”

Fairfield County home prices dropping from Bridgeport to Stamford BY ALEXANDER SOULE Hearst Connecticut Media Group

ome prices continued to decline in southern Fairfield County in the second quarter, among the few pockets nationally to experience deflation in the residential market even as sellers hope for a rebound following the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cut. The National Association of Realtors calculated the median-price home sale in the Bridgeport-Stamford corridor at $470,000, down 0.6 percent from the equivalent home sold in the second quarter of last year. That compared with a 4.3 percent gain in the New London area, with the median home in the New Haven-

Milford corridor selling for $248,000, 3.9 percent more than the peer property a year ago. Hartford’s median price was up 2.1 percent to $244,000. Connecticut’s statewide sales have yet to reach levels at the height of the previous economic boom in 2007, even as sales in New York have surpassed them and as new apartments have mushroomed for millennials on the cusp of searching for permanent homes. “In general, the high end in each town is moving very slowly (but) the entry level in the towns is moving,” said Deb Alderson, a Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties broker who is president of the Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors. “Our

business usually picks up in September for a short period and I hope it does again this year. Rates are unbelievably low right now and there are so many mortgage products out there right now. It is a great time to purchase a home.” Home prices were generally stunted in higher price metropolitan areas in the Northeast and nationally, with NAR citing a $10,000 cap on IRS deductions for local property taxes as a contributing factor, with the new rule taking effect last year for taxpayers who itemize deductions. Fairfield County transactions were down 4 percent in the second quarter, with pockets of growth in some municipalities, including Danbury and Redding. Across the metropoli-

tan New York City region that includes northern New Jersey, Long Island and portions of the Hudson Valley, NAR calculated the median home price rising a scant 1.2 percent, while the Boston area generated just a 2.2 percent increase. But in outlying population centers in the Northeast, home prices have easily outpaced Connecticut’s gains, with Springfield, Massachusetts, seeing more than double Hartford’s bump at 5.1 percent. Providence, Rhode Island, was well above New London at 7.4 percent and the price of the median home sold in Burlington, Vermont, surged more than 10 percent from a year earlier, one of just 10 locales nationally to see a double-digit percentage gain.

Outside of Boston and Connecticut, all eight of the other New England population centers tracked by NAR saw median home prices rise at least 5 percent. Last month, a firm that runs a home value appraisal platform predicted that home prices will drop another 1.7 percent in the Bridgeport-Stamford region in the coming year, the second steepest decline in the nation after Grand Forks, North Dakota. Banks in Connecticut and elsewhere have dropped their prime lending rates on the heels of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point. In the past several weeks, regional Fed presidents have referenced a struggle by the central bank on whether to

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cut rates aggressively now to counterbalance the effect of the U.S. trade disputes and other macroeconomic factors, or to wait until the economy is veering toward recession. “The expectation of lower interest rates in the future lowers yields on bonds and thereby fosters more favorable financial conditions overall,” said New York Fed CEO John Williams, speaking at a New York City conference. “This will allow the stimulus to pick up steam, support economic growth over the medium term and allow inflation to rise.” Includes prior reporting by Paul Schott. Alexander Soule is a staff reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media. He can be reached at Alex.Soule@ scni.com or 203-842-2545.

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SUITE TALK

Alicia and Renato Ghio, owners of RmediA LLC, combine marriage and work have these one or two concepts. Then, they can understand where you are coming from and you can tweak from there.”

licia and Renato Ghio are the real-life and reellife couple running the Danbury-based video production company RmediA LLC, which specializes in creating commercials and corporate and industrial videos. In this edition of Suite Talk, Business Journal Senior Enterprise Editor Phil Hall spoke with the couple on their work behind the camera.

You created a viral sensation last year with your comedy-tinged recruiting video for the Danbury Police Department. How did that come about? Renato Ghio: “The police chief wanted something funny and we worked directly with Lt. Vincent Daniello (the host of the video).” Alicia Ghio: “Being a police officer is hard and there is a lot of bad PR, so they wanted the ‘this is who we are — we can have fun, too and, this is a very good place to work.’ It was a very good collaboration on that project.” Renato Ghio: “In fact, we’re starting a new one. We have to try to top that.”

When did RmediA begin and why did it begin? Renato Ghio: “We began it in 1999.” Alicia Ghio: “It was sort of like a side hustle originally. Then, in 2001, we jumped full time with the business loan and the office space and all of that kind of stuff.” Renato Ghio: “That was the frightening part, but it made us get up, get out of bed and do something.” What were you doing before going full time with this endeavor? Renato Ghio: “I was doing video production work. I was working for other people, working freelance.” Alicia Ghio: “My career path has sort of been all over the place. But at the time, I was finishing my master’s degree in psychology and working at WestConn. I did a little bit of computer technology writing stuff when they were implementing a new computer system. Previous to that, I have a background in print journalism, and then I was at the dean of freshmen’s office doing a lot of communication stuff. We were both at a turning point. It was like, ‘I think we can do this on our own.’ It was like a now or never — if we were going to do it, let’s do it now and see what happens.” You’ve been around for 20 years and you’ve witnessed many technological changes in video production and distribution. Alicia Ghio: “Oh, yes! We were shooting on tapes. There were a few instances when we were doing a local commercial and we had to deliver a VHS tape to the client. We knew where the direction was going. Even at the time, we were telling the client, ‘We can make a file and send it to your email.’” Renato Ghio: “And we used to do a lot of DVDs. Now, there are no DVDs. Everything is … somewhere in the cloud.”

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Is this basically a two-person operation? Renato Ghio: “It’s the two of us. When we started the business, part of the problem is there would be the guy in charge, then there would be another guy, and then there’s me at the bottom doing all of the work. We can do this all by ourselves and keep it lean and mean.” Alicia Ghio: “It depends on the project. We can pull in from our network of people for sound or animation. But we’ve seen a lot of agencies come and go and it’s not that they weren’t good agencies — they got too big too fast and had too many upper people, and they ended up imploding when the recession happened. We’ve been able to weather a lot of that up and down because it is just us at the core of what we do.”

Top: Alicia and Renato Ghio at their Danbury studio. Photo by Phil Hall. Right: Behind the scenes of RmediA’s production of the Danbury Police Department’s 2018 recruitment video. Photo courtesy RmediA.

What is your preferred equipment for video production? Renato Ghio: “I use the DSLRs. I use cinema cameras depending on the job, as well as mirrorless cameras. We do a lot of photography work, so sometimes the DSLRs are great because I can do photo work and go right to video work. It’s really about being versatile without having too many cameras. And we shoot in 4K now, so everything’s done in 4K. For editing, I use Final Cut 10, an Apple product.” What is your secret to making commercials appealing? Alicia Ghio: “When we say commercials now, it is usually not on television. It is paid ad space on social media that are hyper-targeted, so you know your audience and know what is going to be appealing or not. For some reason, they are going to be served that ad, whether it is their ZIP code or something. It’s basically the first six seconds when someone will decide if they’ll sit for the next 15 or 30. Either it’s humor or a deal or something totally different.”

When presenting ideas to your clients, are they always receptive to your concepts or do you sometimes have to negotiate over what is being done? Renato Ghio: “It depends. Some come to us with a very clear idea and we’ll execute that and

manage them a little bit if we need to. But sometimes we do have to negotiate a little bit.” Alicia Ghio: “The key is you get a little bit less negotiation when you take the time to do the pre-production meeting and you flush it out and explain why you

What is it like working together while being a married couple? Renato Ghio: “Our personalities are such that when I’m freaking out, she stays calm and vice versa. It’s about communications.” Alicia Ghio: “We overlap a little bit, but our skill sets are different. We’re not doing the same thing on the same projects. And, we were dating when we started the business, so it could have all blown up a long time ago.”

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Chart 3. Civilian employment

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president who used to be on a TV show with the word apprenticeship.” Pizzella had been serving as deputy secretary of labor under Secretary Alex Acosta beginning April 17, 2018. On July 12, 2019, after Acosta was forced to resign in a scandal over his handling of the sex crimes case against the now deceased wealthy businessman Jeffrey Epstein when Acosta was a U.S. attorney in southern Florida, President Trump named Pizzella to serve as acting secretary of labor. He will hold the position until a new secretary is confirmed by the Senate and sworn in. Trump has said he wants Eugene Scalia, the son of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, confirmed to the post. “Gene and I are friends,” Pizzella said. “We actually both worked here under Secretary (Elaine) Chao. I was here from 2001 to 2009 under Secretary Chao. Gene was here from 2001 to 2003.” Pizzella held the post of assistant secretary of labor for administration and management at that time. Pizzella is a New Rochelle native whose career path has resulted in roles in and out of government. He ran his own consulting firm, Patrick Pizzella LLC, and worked at the law firm Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP. In government, he held posts at the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. General Services Administration, U.S. Office of Personnel Management and U.S. Department of Education among other agencies. He served as the Republican member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority after being nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate. He was named acting chairman of that agency under the Trump administration. Pizzella’s employment history began in New Rochelle. “My first job was as a newspaper delivery boy for The Standard Star, which used to be in New Rochelle,” he said. “That was in 1966. I was 12 years old.” Among his other jobs while growing up were stints at the IBM Watson Research Center in Yorktown and the Westchester Hills Country Club. “When I was in high school at Iona Prep, I used to report on the Iona Prep football and basketball games. They would run my stories in The Standard Star,” he said.

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to, doing our best to safeguard their retirement savings,” Pizzella said. “In the same breath we’re, of course, constantly trying to ensure we don’t hinder those folks out there who are trying to Numbers thousands Numbers in in thousands grow the economy and hire more 160,000 160,000people to work and create more wealth for everybody.” 155,000 155,000 Pizzella noted that the department’s Wage Analysis Division, 150,000 150,000 which oversees minimum wage and 145,000 145,000fair labor standards, last year collected $304 million in back wages 140,000 140,000owed to American workers, which was the largest amount collected in 135,000 135,000the division’s 80-year history. Pizzella pointed to a DOL rule 130,000 130,000 published a couple of weeks ago 125,000 125,000that expands availability of 401(k) retirement plans by allowing pro120,000 120,000fessionals and businesses with common interests to form associ115,000 115,000ations for the purpose of creating 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 those plans. Pizzella said this will open up 401(k) plans to an additional 38 million Americans. Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Data online at Pizzella said the DOL has been https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS12000000. Seasonally adjusted, 1990–2019 taking an interest in trade nego6 — U.S. B UREAU OF L ABOR S TATISTICS • bls.gov/cps bls.gov tiations. “What we try to do as best we can is to be sure that trade agreePercent ments have an aspect that looks 11.0 11.0 out for the American worker,” he said. “The big thing in front of us 10.0 10.0 now is the United States-MexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA), 9.0 9.0 which should be of some inter8.0 8.0 est to readers in Westchester. I think if you talk to almost any7.0 7.0 body in the business community they’ll tell you they’re anxious 6.0 6.0 for it because it should create a better flow of goods between our 5.0 5.0 three countries and most workers will see and recognize that the 4.0 4.0 USMCA has some of the best labor protections of any labor agree3.0 3.0 ment that’s ever been negotiated.” 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 USMCA replaces NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Note: RedShaded areasareas represent determined by the Bureau National BureauResearch (NBER). Data online at Note: representrecessions recessions as as determined by the National of Economic Agreement. Regarding the trade https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000. of Economic Research (NBER). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics war with China, Pizzella said he’s 13 — U.S. B UREAU OF L ABOR S TATISTICS • bls.gov/cps bls.gov optimistic that “things will be worked out.” The DOL has about 14,000 stock markets Pizzella told the Pizzella recalled that after people on its payroll with a budBusiness Journal, “This Labor Day World War II until about 1963 get of about $12 billion, according will be the lowest unemployment his father ran a store on Main to Pizzella. For the last year rate for a Labor Day since 1952 and Street in New Rochelle called The “In the last two years, the there have been we’ve had 17 straight months with London Shop and his father and Department of Labor is one of the a million more job the unemployment rate at 4% or mother were quite active in the few departments that had its budbelow and we have, of course, the Elks and Lions clubs. get reduced,” he said. “I’ve been openings in the most Americans working at any “I actually went to Beechmont in and out of government since I country than there time in our history at 157 million.” Nursery School at the end of came to town with Ronald Reagan are job seekers, Critics of the Trump adminPinebrook Boulevard and then, in 1981, but I very much enjoy the istration, including some in labor when I was in Iona Prep, started various positions I’ve had in govso the challenge unions, have been concerned that going to the Beechmont Bar and ernment. You know, on the outfor business is to the Department of Labor’s worker Grill around the corner,” Pizzella side there are different freedoms protection regulations are being said with an enthusiastic laugh. and different responsibilities, but find, hire and retain gutted at the same time oversight He also was upbeat when I very much enjoy and take seriemployees. of businesses is being scaled back. talking about more serious things, ously the position of public trust — Patrick Pizzella “We’re focused on protecting such as recent unemployment like this that any president nomworkers, making sure that they’re rates. The department’s job stainates you for,” Pizzella told the getting the wages they’re entitled tistics have been known to move Business Journal.

Seasonally adjusted, 1990–2019 CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT Seasonally adjusted, 1990–2019

160,000 155,000 150,000 145,000 140,000 135,000 130,000 125,000 120,000 115,000 1990

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2002

2006

2010

2014

2018

Chart 10. Civilian unemployment rate

CIVILIAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE Seasonally adjusted, 1990–2019 11% 10% 9% 8% 7% 6% 5% 4% 3% 1990

July 2019 3.7%

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2002

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to the state.” MGM Resorts also faulted the department’s decision for encouraging proposed legislation that would enable MMCT to open a casino in Bridgeport, a target market where MGM Resorts offered its own proposal for a gambling mecca. Connecticut law only allows the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes to operate casinos in the state, and legislative efforts to expand the law to include non-tribal entities have failed. “The recent proposal to grant MMCT a no-bid Bridgeport casino license doubles down on Interior’s errors rather than learning from them and moving Connecticut forward,” the company’s statement continued. “Like the East Windsor proposal, the new Bridgeport bill relies on the Interior Department’s unlawful approval decisions and could not function without them. More fundamentally, the Bridgeport bill refuses to allow the state to determine the best competitor. It shortchanges Connecticut and its residents by granting MMCT casino rights without requiring MMCT to maximize job creation, investment and new revenues.” The lawsuit comes in the aftermath of a failed attempt by Gov. Ned Lamont to convince the tribes to jettison the East Windsor casino, dubbed Tribal Winds, in exchange

Top: A rendering of the proposed MGM Resorts casino in Bridgeport, which may now be in jeopardy. Bottom: A rendering of the proposed Tribal Winds casino in East Windsor.

victims of a mass shooting to cover their liability. We should also all remember the last time MGM waded into the D.C. swamp it resulted in multiple investigations, the convening of a grand jury and the resignation of a cabinet secretary.” Doba’s “mass shooting” reference was to the company’s decision to file preemptive federal complaints against more than 1,000 people who were present at the sniper massacre during the Route 91 Harvest Festival at MGM’s Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Doba added that the “choice for Connecticut policymakers can’t get any clearer. We can either let a Las Vegas company that generates not one dime of revenue for the state push us around or we can stand strong with the tribes and an industry that’s generated more than $8 billion in tax revenue and currently employs 18,000 people.” Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim told the Business Journal that he considered the latest development “unfortunate,” adding that while the tribes and MGM Resorts shared an interest in a Bridgeport casino development, he lamented that, “we have the opportunity to create jobs in Connecticut and we can’t seem to get there.” Nonetheless, Ganim hoped that “cooler heads can prevail” and the opposing sides could put together a solution to the issue.

for exclusive claim to Connecticut’s internet sports betting, the license for the Bridgeport casino and the sale of Hartford’s XL Center to the tribes. The tribes rejected the proposal by noting that they already invested $20 million into their proposed $300 million East Windsor venue, adding that they were not interested in the XL Center. “Our state needs to reach a global gaming resolution that will avoid years and years of complex litigation,” according to a statement from the governor. “The gaming industry in Connecticut represents a significant portion of our economy, and as other states have demonstrated, there is room to grow it. It has always been my intention to develop a comprehensive gaming platform that not only strengthened Connecticut’s gaming industry, but protected it from litigation. Our administration remains committed to these objectives and looks forward to working toward a solution that moves the state forward with the General Assembly.” Molly Block, press secretary for the Department of the Interior, told the Business Journal, “The department cannot comment on ongoing litigation.” Andrew Doba, a spokesman for MMCT, was unimpressed with the lawsuit. “MGM pursues litigation because that’s what MGM does,” he said. “This is the same company that sued the

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AUGUST 19, 2019

HERS New Canaan’s Grounded Meditation brings students inner peace BY PHIL HALL phall@westfairinc.com

hen Diane Nickelberg was planning to open a meditation center, she realized some of her prospective students were aware of the practice without actually knowing what it entailed. “So many people hear about meditation but don’t know how to get started,” she said. “Some people are intimidated by it. We’re trying to dispel the myths that meditation is esoteric or mystical.” Nickelberg opened Grounded Meditation within New Canaan’s Pryority Wellness holistic health center in March, and she viewed her new business as a means to fill a local void. “There are a lot of yoga studios and wellness programs in Connecticut, but there is no specific meditation studio,” she said. “And it is such an important part of overall wellness, so I thought the time was right.” So, how does Nickelberg

define meditation? “The best way to describe it is an exercise of the mind to help quiet the mind, to help find a place of calmness and stillness and inner peace,” she explained. “If you think about it, we never really stop thinking — we are always connected to social media, our phones, TV — and meditation is one of the things that make us want to stop. We are always thinking of the future and dwelling on the past, and meditation helps us come back to the present. Every time a thought comes in to interrupt, you focus on your breath, notice it and let it go. When you sit without any external thing, it is completely foreign to us — it is something we never do.” Nickelberg discovered the practice when she was 18 years old and took a class in transcendental meditation. But she admitted that she “got involved in so many other things” and forgot about what she learned, ultimately focusing on a legal career. She’s run

a New York City real estate law practice for nearly two decades, but her rediscovery of meditation 10 years ago while taking up yoga was a welcome reawakening. “I have found meditation has created a balance in my life, because my job is so stressful and busy,” she said. Nickelberg usually teaches meditation with her students sitting on cushions on the floor, although benches are available for those who can’t make it easily on and off the floor. Her studio is decorated with buddhas, but she stated her approach to meditation “is not religious or spiritual.” She accommodates her lessons to the students’ individual needs, offering different approaches to the practice for each person’s distinctive requirements. “There are meditations where you sit in silence for a long period of time,” she said. “In other meditation, you are guided by visualizing something, or you are

Diane Nickelberg at Grounded Meditation in New Canaan. Photo by Phil Hall.

repeating a word that is also known as a mantra.” Nickelberg’s class sizes range from three to 15 students, and she is operating on a four day per week summer schedule that will expand to five or six days in the autumn. She added that her classes are multigenerational, with students ranging from a 12-year-old to participants in their 70s. Nickelberg is still running her legal practice while operating Grounded Meditation, although she hopes to “make the transition at one point of doing more of this and less of that.” Ultimately, she hopes to grow her new business and encourage more people to embrace meditation. “Ideally, people should be meditating regularly,” she said, recommending a mix of at-home and, when applicable, in-class sessions. “Every day is ideal, but not everyone can do it in their schedule. It’s like exercise. If you do one crunch, you won’t get flat abs. It’s like doing a curl for your mind.”

Norwalk-based construction company must arbitrate driver dispute BY BILL HELTZEL bheltzel@westfairinc.com

federal judge has approved a request by the Teamsters union to compel Norwalk, Connecticut-based AMEC construction company to arbitrate a dispute over employment of drivers at the Edge-on-Hudson project in Sleepy Hollow. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel denied AMEC’s motion to dismiss the Teamsters Local 456 complaint and ruled that AMEC was bound by agreements that require disputes to be arbitrated. The union grievance, she said in a July 30 opinion,

AUGUST 19, 2019

seems to be exactly the type of dispute the parties agreed to arbitrate. Edge-on-Hudson is a $1 billion project, including townhomes, condos and apartments, retail and office space and parkland on the site of a former General Motors assembly plant. AMEC Construction LLC won a $3 million contract in 2016 to demolish the factory foundations and recycle more than 100,000 tons of concrete and rebar, and a $7.7 million contract for site work and utilities. AMEC recognized the Teamsters as the sole bargaining agent for its drivers for all on-site trucking and

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all deliveries to and from the site. The agreement incorporated terms under another collective bargaining agreement that required disputes to be handled by the American Arbitration Association. In April 2017, the Teamsters claim that a company official said it would replace union drivers with nonunion employees to be more competitive. After the layoffs, the union alleges that nonunion workers were seen doing jobs covered by the collective-bargaining agreements. The Teamsters filed a grievance and notified AMEC that it was referring the dispute to the American

Construction at Edge-on-Hudson with the Mario Cuomo Bridge in the background. File photo by Ryan Deffenbaugh.

Arbitration Association. The company declined to arbitrate. The Teamsters sued AMEC Commercial, the company that agreed to the collective bargaining agreement and the company that it says did the demolition work under a subcontract. But Michelle Mazzola,

AMEC Commercial vice president, said in a court filing that AMEC Construction did all of the work and AMEC Construction was not a party to the collective bargaining agreement. The two companies, she said, are “separate and distinct.” Both companies use

the same business address in Norwalk, according to Connecticut registration records, and list Guy Mazzola of New Canaan as a principal member. The companies share the same ownership and management, the Teamsters argued, they are a “double-breasted shop” under the collective bargaining agreements and they must both abide by the agreements. There is no serious dispute, Seibel ruled, that the arbitration clause is part of the deal. An arbitrator must decide if the collective bargaining agreements were still in effect when the union drivers were fired.

ASK ANDI It’s all on my shoulders I try to take on everything, fix everything and I can’t keep doing that. I don’t see my family enough. I’ve become the roadblock to so many things at work. But if I don’t check in or step in if help is needed, things might not get done right. Help. I’m stuck. THOUGHTS OF THE DAY: It’s a classical entrepreneurial set of traits: trying to control things by being involved and stepping in when help is needed. Building a talent team is the most crucial element of any well-run company. Scaling the company so it can grow means stepping out of the way — and that’s a skill that most entrepreneurs are slow to build. Your job as CEO is very different from your initial job of getting the business off the ground. How likely is it you’ve built the necessary skills to keep up with your growing company? Finding a better way to manage means personal freedom. Being tied to every aspect of the business, working more hours rather than less, will only tire you out and eventually make you not want to be around. Instead, try a bit of laziness. Step back and let others do, even if they might do things differently from the way you would do them. Put a priority on getting away from the business to spend time with family. If you run on big ego, thinking you have the best ideas, are the most able to solve problems, if you often override your peoples’ decision — that’s a recipe for hitting a ceiling. Lots of business owners inadvertently teach their people to stop making decisions, let the responsibility sit on the boss’ shoulders. They do this in lots of little actions that build up over time. “Let me see that before it goes out.” “You did it wrong, here’s how I want it done.” “Don’t overstep your boundaries.” Instead, ask your people to take over doing things and encourage them to take responsibility for fixing problems that may crop up. Praise people for showing initiative. Loosen the constraints under which people operate by giving them goals to shoot for and then track their progress through reports. Watch how well people do at hitting their goals. Hold them accountable for producing results. Provide education for people who want to grow. Give people more responsibil-

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ity and room to operate as they step up, get their jobs done well and ask for more opportunity to show what they can do. One critical measure of a healthy business is that it grows revenue and profits every year. As the business gets bigger, the owner can’t be involved in everything. There’s just not enough owner capacity to keep up with the growth. If that’s true, why are most entrepreneurs so slow to step out of the way? The business is their baby. They care greatly about how things are going. They don’t want to see things messed up. And they practice longstanding habits of being involved instead of challenging themselves to grow new skills at managing. Owners need to focus on strategy, long-

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term planning, making sure the company is well capitalized with good banking relationships, reporting accurately on the business’ accomplishments and ensuring sales and marketing programs are sufficient to meet the needs of the future. Good owners lead people, teach them how to perform at higher levels and identify additional talent necessary for future success. Smart owners learn about management practices that will be needed to ensure success in the future. The best owners are constantly adding to their toolkit of abilities by engaging in education and challenging themselves to let go of tasks they performed in the past.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION: “The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs,” by Kevin D. Johnson. Andi Gray is president of Strategy Leaders Inc., StrategyLeaders.com, a business-consulting firm that teaches companies how to double revenue and triple profits in repetitive growth cycles. Have a question for AskAndi? Wondering how Strategy Leaders can help your business thrive? Call or email for a free consultation and diagnostics at 877-238-3535 or AskAndi@StrategyLeaders.com. Check out our library of business advice articles at AskAndi.com.

2020 OUTLOOK

Expansion or contraction for your business? Pondering the economic forecasts for next year? How should you position your company and what should your strategy be?

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AUGUST 19, 2019

REGISTER NOW Celebrating extraordinary health care providers who go above and beyond, providing top-quality care and service to patients in the Westchester County. FOR INFORMATION AND TICKETS: westfaironline.com/events-2019 Tickets and Tables available

September 24 • 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. • Surf Club on the Sound, New Rochelle For information, contact Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorships, contact Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545. DOCTORS OF DISTINCTION SPONSOR

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AUGUST 19, 2019

IN BRIEF Offices at Stamford’s 1 Atlantic St. to be converted into apartments

Image courtesy Applegreen.

would increase its interest in Connecticut Service Plazas to 60% and take majority control. Applegreen owns 121 sites in the U.S., along with 158 sites in the U.K. and 193 in Ireland. The acquisition is subject to approval by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Approximately 91% of revenue generated by the Connecticutbased locations is produced by long-term anchor tenants, including McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Subway and Alliance Energy, with the remainder coming from their Mobil fuel stations.

MEDICAID FRAUD PROBES NET GREENWICH COP, BRIDGEPORT BUSINESS

1 Atlantic St. in Stamford

The Stamford Zoning Board has approved a plan to convert two office buildings at 1 Atlantic St. into apartments. Among the tenants at the 8-story and 3-story structures at 1 Atlantic St. are Bank of America, Pacific Basin Shipping and financial planning firms Quarve Associates and River Oak Investment Corp. As those leases expire, property owner SH Atlantic LLC plans to convert the spaces into 77 apartments — 19 studios, 40 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom residences. Although there are 13 parking spaces available, SH Atlantic maintains that residents can avail themselves of parking at nearby municipal lots. The completed project will feature retail and restaurants, including what is being billed as a “swanky speakeasy” in the basement.

AUGUST 19, 2019

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IRISH-BASED APPLEGREEN BUYS 40% STAKE IN CONNECTICUT SERVICE PLAZAS

Applegreen, an Irish on-highway services retailer, has acquired a 40% holding in the company that operates 23 fuel and retail service plazas along Connecticut’s highways. Applegreen joined in a consortium with IST3 Investment Foundation and TD Greystone Asset Management to buy JLIF Holdings U.S. Inc. and its fully owned subsidiary Project Services LLC, which operates the Connecticut Service Plazas along I-95, I-395 and Route 15 (The Merritt Parkway). Applegreen will pay approximately $37.6 million, excluding transaction fees, to acquire its 40% consortium interest, and it has entered into a call option agreement that, if exercised,

Two separate high-profile cases of Medicaid fraud have resulted in charges against a Greenwich police officer and a prison sentence for the former co-owner of a social services company in Bridgeport. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney has charged Michael Mastronardi with fraudulently billing Medicaid $57,278 for work as a provider in the agency’s Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program between August 2014 and April 2019. The unit alleged that Mastronardi was working as an officer in the Greenwich Police Department when he was allegedly providing the services in question. Mastronardi was released on a $100,000 nonsurety bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on Aug. 21 to face charges for larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, conspiracy to commit larceny in the first degree by defrauding a public community, health insurance fraud and conspiracy to

commit health insurance fraud. In another development, Juliet Jacob, the former co-owner of the social and psychotherapy services companies Transitional Development and Training and It Takes a Promise, both at 360 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport, was sentenced to one year and one day followed by three years of supervised release for participating in two separate Medicaid fraud schemes. Jacob pleaded guilty last October to one count of health care fraud for her role in fraudulently billing Medicaid for services that were never provided. Jacob also participated with two others in a scam that involved the theft of personal identification information of Medicaid clients, which was then used for additional fraudulent billing purposes. Jacob, who was also ordered to pay $2,711,173 in restitution related to the schemes, is required to report to prison on Sept. 20.

200 GREENWICH AVE. SELLS FOR $67 MILLION

200 Greenwich Ave., a 62,850-square-foot, mixed-used retail and office property in Greenwich, has sold for $67 million.

200 Greenwich Ave.

The 3-story property was built in 1988 and is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue on the ground floor, which recently signed a longterm lease and expanded from its longstanding store directly across the street. The real estate brokerage Compass occupies the majority of the property’s office space, while other retail tenants include Sweaty Betty, Fjallraven and Vilebrequin. Jeffrey Dunne, David Gavin, Jeremy Neuer and Travis Langer of CBRE’s National Retail Partners represented the owner, 200 Greenwich Avenue LLC, in the sale and also procured the buyer, Kensico Properties of New York City.

NEW BUSINESS FORMATION HEATING UP IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY

The pace of new businesses planning to open in Fairfield County is heating up, according to data from the Secretary of the State. During the first six months of 2019, net business starts — a sum calculated by subtracting businesses that were dissolved or whose applications were withdrawn from the number of those formed or registered — within Fairfield County amounted to 5,730. If that pace continues, the county would end this year with roughly 11% more net business starts than in 2018. Net business starts last year totaled 10,309, compared with 9,842 in 2017 and 9,725 in 2016. The upward trend also holds true for the state at large, which produced 15,620 net business starts through June of this year. Connecticut logged 27,604 in 2018, 25,780 in 2017 and 24,803 in 2016. - Kevin Zimmerman, Phil Hall

FOCUS ON

BANKING & FINANCE FAIRFIELD COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL

ASK THE INVESTMENT BANKER How long does a deal take? BY TED YANG AND JON RUBIN

ou may have heard the saying that “time kills deals,” but speed can kill deals, too. Like a great piece of music, a well-run deal has a steady rhythm and flow. Move too quickly and mistakes can occur. Move too slowly and the process can bog down. Westbury expects that most deals will take 150 to 300 days from the time you start preparing until the cash is wired. There are six key steps to every deal. The first four steps occur prior to signing a letter of intent (LOI). In step one, you and your advisors collect key information on your company. The second step is preparing to go to market: drafting key selling documents and creating a list of targets. In

step three, you go out to market, generating interest from multiple suitors and sharing just enough information to give them the confidence to make a firm bid and draft an LOI with acceptable deal terms. In the fourth step, you seek to collect firm bids. Financial buyers such as private equity (PE) funds tend to move quickly on a bid. Often, however, PE bids will be lower, as those firms seek to maximize the return on their capital. Strategics usually take longer to make a bid, even if they have a dedicated M&A team. However, their bids will often be more generous and they will have much more flexibility because they are often looking to combine your people, product and processes with their existing ones. » BANKER

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AUGUST 19, 2019

FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCE 13

Banker—

In this step, it is important that you maintain communication with all potential suitors to maintain a level playing field while encouraging diverse interest. The trick is to slow the pace of those who make early bids (often PE firms) while trying to spur slower moving firms that may make higher bids (often strategics) to accelerate their pace. Your banker has the tools and experience to manage this timing and to decipher the “hidden messages” that are often sent by potential acquirers expressing their intent to bid. A word of caution: you must set the tempo. Some buyers will claim that they will close very quickly (60 days) and pro-

ceed to ask for tons of information before an LOI is signed. Their rationale is often that they need all the information at once so they can act quickly. We cannot caution you enough to play your cards close to your vest and not let buyers like this set the tempo. At best, you may close the door on potential suitors leaving money on the table. At worst, you may have an unscrupulous buyer who is looking to suck out your valuable IP. When you let others set the tempo, you will find yourself in a “hurry up and wait” mode, where you scramble to pull things together, only to sit and wait for them to respond. Similarly, don’t drag things out waiting for that “perfect” acquirer who just needs

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“a little more time.” Our experience is that such parties often never make a bid or that their bid wasn’t worth the wait. If you take too long, you risk alienating those who were interested earlier. They may move on to another transaction. You also run the risk of a downside surprise as your day-to-day operations may drastically change your revenue or profitability forecasts for the worse. Another risk is that your industry falls out of favor or the economy as a whole goes into recession. Either scenario will reduce the multiple that you receive for your business, even if your business meets its forecast. Keeping the process moving at a steady tempo is the key and previous experience is your best guide. The last two steps in the process occur once you’ve picked an acquirer and signed an LOI. At this point, the acquirer sets the tempo of the deal. In step five, the buyer pursues its own due diligence and the attorneys for both buyer and seller hammer out the purchase agreement. Step six is the final negotiation and closing. In both steps, time is truly your enemy and great communication is your friend. If you’ve followed our advice, you will already have most of the items that the buyer is seeking. If you are asked for information you don’t have at hand, don’t panic. Instead communicate clearly how long it will take with the buyer and constantly communicate progress. It is your and your banker’s job to keep the buyer engaged as issues arise and continue the march toward closing. Another common answer to “How long does a deal take?” is this: a lot longer than anyone expects it to! Keeping things moving at a moderate pace is the key. Good luck! Jon Rubin is the managing partner at Westbury Group in Westport, Connecticut. He can be reached at 203-745-0272 or jrubin@westburygroup.com. Ted Yang is the managing director at Westbury Group. He can be contacted at 203-803-4470 or ted@ westburygroup. com.

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AUGUST 19, 2019

FOCUS ON BANKING & FINANCE

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN kzimmerman@westfairinc.com

aunching a new digital banking platform and mobile app on the same day that Capital One announced a data breach of 100 million credit card applications and accounts could be the very definition of bad timing. But M&T Bank, which did just that on July 29, says it is unafraid of any related fallout. “Anytime there’s a security breach of that magnitude, whether it’s Capital One, Equifax or Home Depot, we receive customer calls about our own security,” said M&T Bank’s Head of Online and Mobile Banking Michael Sullivan. “But we have multiple layers of security and fraud detection in place. We’re constantly evaluating our security and trying to stay ahead of all the criminal activity.” “Protecting our customers and their money is our No. 1 priority at all times,” affirmed the bank’s Senior Vice President Joe Lombardo. The Buffalo-based bank, which has branches throughout the northern suburbs of New York City, has introduced M&T Money Smart, billed as an easy-to-use, all-in-one digi-

M&T ups the mobile banking ante with Money Smart app tal tool that helps users manage their finances and make informed financial decisions. Money Smart allows users to combine all their accounts, both M&T and those from other banks, into one dashboard. Budgeting and spending visualizations help users set financial goals and track every dollar, while its debt payoff forecasting feature helps customers project a date when they might be debt-free. “Bank customers are always looking for ways to do their business more quickly and efficiently,” Sullivan said. “We talk to our customers, and potential customers, about what they’re looking for. We also pay attention to what our competitors are doing.” “We’ve gone to customers’ homes … to get a better understanding of their lives and needs,” Lombardo added. “Finding out what their goals are, and the challenges they’re facing, plays a big part in everything we do, including our mobile banking efforts.” That approach is also in effect at Patriot Bank, which first introduced its mobile banking app in 2012. “We have more and more people using the mobile banking app every year,” said the Stamford-based bank’s Senior Vice President

A screenshot of M&T Bank’s new digital tool.

and Director of Digital and Retail Operations Laura Holleran. “Fifty-five percent of our online banking customers are mobile app users. “The major benefit has been the 24/7 convenience,” she continued. “Users can access their accounts anytime, anywhere. A key factor is the ability to deposit a check remotely

through the app.” And people are using the Patriot app frequently, she said, as 88% of users access it at least once a month, and the average customer opens the app 11 times each month. Research conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of tech company Fiserv found that, as consumers become more comfortable with mobile apps, the demand for convenient digital banking solutions continues to grow. According to the report, 34% of consumers want to be able to manage all their financial accounts in a single online location or app, and 33% expressed a preference for real-time access. Banks, including M&T and Patriot frequently update their mobile offerings — up to four times a year on average. “It’s crucial to have an app designed specifically for each type of smartphone operating system to create the best possible user experience,” Holleran said. Patriot will soon introduce debit card controls available through its mobile banking app, allowing users to turn their debit card on or off, and is planning to begin offering Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay in the near future, she added.

BEWARE Outside companies are soliciting BUSINESS JOURNAL readers for plaques and other reproductions of newspaper content without our consent. If you or your firm is interested in framing an article or award from our newspaper or obtaining a reprint of a particular story Please contact

Marcia Rudy of Westfair Communications directly at (914) 694-3600 x3021.

AUGUST 19, 2019

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u Dea d l i ne i s A

g u s t 26

CELEBRATING A GENERATION By 2020, millennials will represent half of the workforce in the world. Many individuals from this generation are coming of age and establishing their place in society. The awards celebrate this new era in the workforce and recognize some individuals who are leaving their footprints in the technology and business communities of Westchester and Fairfield. NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS: • Living and/or working in Fairfield or Westchester counties • Born between 1981 - 1996 • Candidate must not have won the competition previously All nominations will be reviewed by our panel of judges. The nominees that best fit the criteria will be honored at a cocktail reception and awards presentation.

AWARD CATEGORIES: Changemakers, Business Entrepreneur, Culinary Arts, Digital Media, Education, Economic Development, Journalism, Fashion, Film, Financial Services, Healthcare, Hospitality, Innovation, Law, Music, Social Entrepreneur, Real Estate, Engineering and Technology

For information, contact: Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorships, contact: Marcia Pflug at mpflug@wfpromote.com or 203-733-4545.

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AUGUST 19, 2019

GOOD THINGS ARTIST’S FIRST SOLO SHOW TO DEBUT AT THE ALDRICH

Robert J. Granata and Willard M. Miley

FIRST COUNTY BANK’S NEW EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM First County Bank’s Board of Directors recently announced the promotion of Robert J. Granata to chairman and CEO and Willard M. Miley to president and COO. The promotions conclude a planned transition as a result of the retirement of Reyno A. Giallongo Jr. as chairman and CEO. Granata joined First County Bank in 2007, serving as president and COO since 2014. He was recently named to the bank’s Board of Directors. A graduate of the New England School of Banking at Fairfield University, Granata earned his bachelor’s degree from Saint Anselm College. He lives in Trumbull with his wife and four sons. Miley started his First County Bank career in 2002 and was most recently promoted to executive vice president, retail banking division. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from The University of Bridgeport and graduated from the National School of Banking at Fairfield University and the Connecticut School of Finance and Management.

WOMEN IN THE LAW COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR REAPPOINTED

Katherine M. Bogard

Katherine M. Bogard of Brody and Associates LLC in Westport has been named to a second term as a co-chair of the Women in the Law Committee of the Fairfield County Bar Association. In her role as co-chair, she will continue to assist the committee in preparing and presenting continuing legal education programs to the bar association’s members.

AUGUST 19, 2019

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Eva LeWitt at VI, VII. Photos by Christian Tunge, courtesy of VI, VII, Oslo.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield will present Eva LeWitt’s first solo museum exhibition debuting a new site-specific installation — the artist’s largest to date. LeWitt’s practice is informed by both the reductive systems, industrial materials and geometric preoccupations of minimalism and the performative activities of process art, as well as her own personal history and imagination. The exhibition will be on view at The Aldrich Oct. 6 to April 5.

Introducing a new material for her exhibition at The Aldrich — coated mesh, most commonly used for filters, window screens and even protective clothing, LeWitt will investigate its lightweight and light responsive crosshatched woven surface. The installation’s silhouette will be tailored to exploit and emphasize the proportions and contours of the museum’s Leir Gallery, a nave-like rectilinear space with 16-foot-high ceilings and two small square windows that accent the long walls and provide the room

with its only natural illumination. LeWitt was born in Spoleto, Italy, and currently lives and works in New York City. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Support for the Eva LeWitt exhibition is provided by Kathleen O’Grady, The O’Grady Foundation; The Amadeo Family; Liz and Steven Goldstone; Diana Bowes and James Torrey; Joeb Moore Architects; and the Young Patrons of The Aldrich.

NATURE CENTER, BANK’S BENEFICIARY Woodcock Nature Center is the beneficiary of a $7,000 grant from Fairfield County Bank to support its general operations as well as a new outreach effort to offer one of the nature center’s popular field-trip programs to an elementary school in an underserved community. The bank has partnered with the Nature Center since 2017. Each year, more than 4,000 preschool and elementary school students visit the Nature Center through class field trips, which are designed to meet the state of Connecticut’s Core Science Curriculum Frameworks and Next Generation Science Standards. Programs cover a range of topics designed to enhance classroom natural science curricula while building awareness and understanding of local environments. Located on 150 acres of state-protected land, the Woodcock Nature Center includes a pond, wetlands and three miles of publicly accessible woodland trails. The center is home to a variety of local and exotic creatures, including snakes, frogs and lizards. It also houses three nonreleasable birds of prey. From left: Fairfield County Bank Executive Vice President D. Stephen Wooters, Vice President Doreen McManus and Woodcock Nature Center Executive Director Lenore Herbst.

SWIM ACROSS AMERICA Fairfield County and Greenwich Crew are teaming up for the second annual charity rowing event — the Meters for a Cure ERG Challenge on Sunday, Sept. 29. Proceeds support Swim Across America Fairfield County and its local beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), the nation’s only foundation dedicated exclusively to funding cancer gene therapy research. On Sept. 29, hundreds of crew members, their families and friends will come together to help raise money for cancer research at the Greenwich Water Club at 49 River Road, Cos Cob, and relay against each other on ERG machines (a rowing machine also known as an ergometer) to compete to see which team can accumulate the most meters in 40 minutes. Teams are organized and divided by age group (youth and adult) and each participant is being asked to raise at least $100 for the cause. Swim Across America Fairfield County has been holding open-water swims in Fairfield County for the past 13 years and has raised more than $4 million for its local beneficiary, the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and its cancer gene therapy research grants.

BUSINESS COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS The Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) and its chamber of commerce affiliates in Bridgeport, Stratford and Trumbull, welcomed six new members in July. The new members include: Unicorn Care and Compassion, Trumbull; Boca Oyster Bar and The Cannoli Pie Company LLC, Bridgeport; Bankwell, Hamden; Crusonweb, Hawleyville; and USI Insurance Services, Norwalk. For more information about any of these businesses, visit brbc.org or call 203-335-3800.

MONECO ADVISORS ADDS GALUSHKO Colleen Galushko has joined the team of Fairfield-based financial planners at Moneco Advisors where she will carry on her specialties in retirement planning, income distribution strategies, insurance, investment advisory, risk management and estate planning. Another area of her focus is on women and families that are in transition from a recent divorce or other life-changing event. Galushko received a Bachelor of Science degree in finance with high honors from Post University, completed the Certified Financial Planning Program at Fairfield University and is a past graduate of the Retail Leadership Development Program at BankBoston.

Facts & Figures BUILDING PERMITS Commercial Advanced Window Systems, Bridgeport, contractor for KSE Associates. Replace windows at 3880 Main St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $30,241. Filed June 12. Bismark Construction, Milford, contractor for McGivney Community Center. Construct community center at 338 Stillman St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $170,000. Filed June 11. Brian & Bryan Construction, Redding, contractor for Robert Dzurenda. Relocate existing walls to create larger rooms at 500 State St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $107,000. Filed June 13. Empire Telecomm, Billerica, Massachusetts, contractor for Grown Castle. Replace antennas at 205 Kaechele Place, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed June 7. Quality Control Construction LLC, Trumbull, contractor for 1611 Stratford Avenue LLC. Replace laundromat for tenant at 1611 Stratford Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed June 10. SAC Wireless, Chicago, Illinois, contractor for Cell Tower Lease Acquisition LLC. Replace antenna at 1330 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $26,000. Filed June 12.

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.

University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, contractor for University of Bridgeport. Renovate second floor at 126 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $370,000. Filed June 11.

Residential 1st Light Energy, Milford, contractor for Cora Cenac. Reinforce structure for solar panel installation at 433 Ellsworth St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $3,000. Filed June 13. Alcraft Inc., North Haven, contractor for Andrew Lloyd. Re-roof at 581 Connecticut Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $14,000. Filed June 12. Alves, Jose, Trumbull, contractor for Jose Alves. New single-family dwelling at 793 Pond St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $140,000. Filed June 10. Andrade’s Construction LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for Easton Asset Management LLC. Repair front porch at 496 Beech Mont Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,500. Filed June 10.

ON THE RECORD

Ellis, Clive, Bridgeport, contractor for Clive Ellis. Construct dormer at 121 Pitt St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed June 12. Equisite Contractors, Bridgeport, contractor for Denzel Davis. Re-roof 536 Thorme St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,546. Filed June 12. Estrada, Ervin, Stamford, contractor for Berna Mojica. Replace beam, remove chimney and repair floor at 191 Ellsworth St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $8,000. Filed June 12. Good House Flooring LLC, Danbury, contractor for Christopher Dunning. Replace roof and gutters at 150 Texas Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $8,595. Filed June 7. Jay Construction LLC, Fairfield, contractor for Marcos Rein Heimer. Renovate kitchen and bathroom, replace windows and roof at 1555 Old Town Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed June 10.

Baculima, Wilson, Bridgeport, contractor for Wilson Baculima. Remodel and add full bathroom in basement at 89 Jewett Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed June 12.

Jay Construction LLC, Fairfield, contractor for Jay Construction LLC. Renovate kitchen and bathroom, replace windows and roof and build rear deck at 39 Emerald St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $13,800. Filed June 10.

Builders Unlimited, Bridgeport, contractor for Lucinda Anderson. Replace windows at 316 Newfield Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,500. Filed June 7.

JP McGuire, Waterbury, contractor for Marisol Baez. Repair fire damage at 151 Aldine Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $65,000. Filed June 12.

Built Right, Cheshire, contractor for Jeanne Angerame. Strip and re-roof 224 Lake Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $10,000. Filed June 13.

Keep Me Home, Berlin, contractor for Herman Estates LLC. Build handicap ramp at 456 Norman St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,000. Filed June 10.

DeOliveira, Luis, Bridgeport, contractor for Luis DeOliveira. Remodel bathroom, kitchen and replace siding, windows and roof at 912 Birmingham St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $17,000. Filed June 12.

Keep Me Home, Berlin, contractor for Marcia Ajisefinni. Install ramp to front door at 170 Burnsford Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,600. Filed June 12.

KZ Construction, Easton, contractor for 116-120 Arctic Street LLC. Repair frame, siding and roof; replace windows and doors; and install new insulation and sheetrock at 116-120 Arctic St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $5,500. Filed June 11. Laws, Delores, Bridgeport, contractor for Delores Laws. Remodel and replace sheetrock in kitchen at 260 Success Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $4,500. Filed June 13. M. Craft LLC, Fairfield, contractor for Ryan Hoover. Finish basement at 111 Vanguard St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,000. Filed June 12. Mayen Properties LLC, Bridgeport, contractor for Mayen Properties LLC. Convert the bedroom to bathroom at 132 Bishop Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $6,500. Filed June 11. MC DM LLC, Trumbull, contractor for Nichols 654 LLC. Construct single-family dwelling at 72 Herald Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $25,000. Filed June 11. Mendoza, Cesar, Stamford, contractor for Cesar Mendoza. Replace and renovate damaged wood in kitchen and bathroom, install cabinets, remodel bathroom and install new windows at 5 Pearl Harbor Place, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $9,500. Filed June 10. Nguyen, Long, Bridgeport, contractor for Long Nguyen. Enclose front porch at 25 Rosemary Drive, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,200. Filed June 11. O’Connell, Martin, Norwalk, contractor for Pia & Moco LLC. Repair sheetrock at 204 Wheeler Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $2,000. Filed June 13. Pena, Altagracia, Bridgeport, contractor for Altagracia Pena. Construct an in-ground pool at 388 Beechmont Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $1,800. Filed June 10.

Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for John Pettway. Replace windows at 6 Platt St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $12,283. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for Nicolette Kerr. Replace windows at 179 Kent Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $27,826. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for Ezroy Bennet. Replace windows at 584 Huntington Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $13,861. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for William Franco. Replace windows at 176 Holroyd St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $9,036. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for Ricardo Rampersaud. Replace windows at 3000 E. Main St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $7,205. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for Marlene Grand. Replace windows at 417 Connecticut Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $31,095. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for Tina Grande. Replace windows at 1820 Chopsey Hill Road, Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $15,366. Filed June 7. Power Home Remodeling, Bridgeport, contractor for James Glenn. Replace windows at 172 Alfred St., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $3,008. Filed June 7. Total Lines Construction, Bridgeport, contractor for 202 Fav LLC. Repair and replace windows, construct demising wall, remodel bathroom and install doors at 202 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. Estimated cost: $50,000. Filed June 12.

Questions and comments regarding this section should be directed to: Bob Rozycki c/o Westfair Communications Inc. 701 Westchester Ave, Suite 100 J White Plains, N.Y. 10604-3407 Phone: 694-3600 • Fax: 694-3699

FCBJ

COURT CASES Bridgeport Superior Court Areion Global LLC, et al, Stamford. Filed by Karen Miller, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Cooper Sevillano LLC, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-19-6088100-S. Filed July 18. Coccaro, Thomas R., Southport. Filed by Lenora Hinman, Shelton. Plaintiff’s attorney: George W Ganim Jr, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV19-6086541-S. Filed May 29. Davis, Jacquelyn, Newtown. Filed by Raymond DeAguila, Monroe. Plaintiff’s attorney: Paul Joseph Ganim, Bridgeport. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV19-6085547-S. Filed May 1. Keller, Michael, et al, Newtown. Filed by Joshua Juarez, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Jonathan Eamon Spodnick, Trumbull. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-19-6085839-S. Filed May 8.

AUGUST 19, 2019

Facts & Figures Rozier Associates of Norwalk LLC, et al, Norwalk. Filed by Agatha Watson, Bridgeport. Plaintiff’s attorney: Collier Edmund Q Trial Lawyer LLC, Milford. Action: The plaintiff was lawfully on the defendants’ premises when she was caused to slip and fall on a thin panel of clear plastic that was on the floor of the bathroom, thereby causing her to suffer injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FBT-CV-19-6087943-S. Filed July 15.

Danbury Superior Court Diallo, Tanesha Barnes, et al, Bethel. Filed by Wells Fargo Bank NA, West Palm Beach, Florida. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bendett & Mchugh PC, Farmington. Action: The plaintiff was assigned the defendants’ mortgage. The defendants defaulted on the terms of the agreement and have failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-19-6031564-S. Filed May 24. Heritage Homes Construction Company LLC, Ridgefield. Filed by Carolina Casualty Insurance Company, Des Moines, Iowa. Plaintiff’s attorney: Sugarmann & Sugarmann, New Haven. Action: The plaintiff issued workers’ compensation insurance to the defendant. The defendant has defaulted on its contractual agreement and has failed to pay the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-19-6031347-S. Filed May 17.

AUGUST 19, 2019

Jmb Future LLC, et al, Newtown. Filed by Pascarella Restaurant Group LLC, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Goldman Gruder & Woods LLC, Trumbull. Action: The plaintiff is the holder and owner of the defendants’ mortgage. The defendants defaulted on the terms of the agreement and have failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-19-6031788-S. Filed June 10. Kaplan, Aaron C., et al, Bethel. Filed by Specialized Loan Servicing LLC, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Plaintiff’s attorney: Bendett & Mchugh PC, Farmington. Action: The plaintiff was assigned the defendants’ mortgage. The defendants defaulted on the terms of the agreement and have failed to pay the plaintiff the amount due. The plaintiff claims foreclosure of the mortgage, possession of the mortgage premises, monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. DBD-CV-196032059-S. Filed June 20.

Stamford Superior Court Cydylo, Anthony M., et al, Trumbull. Filed by Joseph M. Grande, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: Wocl Leydon LLC, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff slipped and fell on an accumulation of ice and snow on the defendants’ premises. As a result, the plaintiff suffered severe injuries and damages. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6042912-S. Filed July 29.

FCBJ

Littlejohn, Charles, et al, Stamford. Filed by Paul Sacco, Naples, Florida. Plaintiff’s attorney: Toby M Schaffer, Stamford. Action: The plaintiff suffered medical malpractice by the defendants. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV19-6041890-S. Filed May 28. Molina-campos, Oscar, et al, Norwalk. Filed by Luis Crisostomo-Rojas, Norwalk. Plaintiff’s attorney: Cramer Paul M. Law offices, Fairfield. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendant and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV-19-6042445-S. Filed June 26. Roy, Kausik, Stamford. Filed by Nicholas Manero, Stamford. Plaintiff’s attorney: O’connell Attmore & Morris LLC, Hartford. Action: The plaintiff lent money to the defendant who has failed to make any payments, therefore breaching the terms of the promissory note. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV19-6041404-S. Filed May 7. Vitello, Dylan, et al, Mahopac, New York. Filed by Marta Pelico, Port Chester, New York. Plaintiff’s attorney: The Maddox Law Firm LLC, New Canaan. Action: The plaintiff suffered a collision allegedly caused by the defendants and sustained severe and painful personal injuries. The plaintiff seeks monetary damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs and such other and further relief as the court deems appropriate. Case no. FST-CV19-6041639-S. Filed May 15.

DEEDS Commercial Cornell, Heidi and James E. Bowen Jr., Fairfield. Seller: 44 Fox LLC, Fairfield. Property: 44 Fox St., Fairfield. Amount: $1,400,000. Filed June 14. Donnelly, Michael A., Hudson, New York. Seller: HMC Assets LLC, Redondo Beach, California. Property: 124 W. Rocks Road, Norwalk. Amount: $467,000. Filed June 3. Hossain, MD Zakir, Norwalk. Seller: 147 South Main LLC, Norwalk. Property: 147 S. Main St., Norwalk. Amount: $640,000. Filed May 28. Lavoie, Jillian G. and Phillip G. Lavoie, Fairfield. Seller: B II Builders LLC, Oxford. Property: 26 South St., Fairfield. Amount: $1,536,530. Filed June 17. Long, Yixian Chen, Mamaroneck, New York. Seller: Tripod LLC, New Canaan. Property: 6 Claremore Drive, Unit 6-2B, Norwalk. Amount: $136,000. Filed May 24.

Residential Arnold, Brent M. and Jane R. Seymour, Brooklyn, New York, Seller: Bradley Halsey and Robin Halsey, Norwalk. Property: 11 Hunt St., Norwalk. Amount: $910,000. Filed May 30. Asare, Kwame, Bronx, New York. Seller: Joseph W. Rumore III, Norwalk. Property: 25 Marshall St., Unit 3E, Norwalk. Amount: $380,000. Filed May 29. Asmar, Hannah L. and Eric W. Jackling, Norwalk. Seller: Amos T. Bigler and Monika Pernal, Norwalk. Property: 53 Ledgewood Road, Norwalk. Amount: $513,500. Filed May 28. Began, Sandra, Fairfield. Seller: William Baker Dunleavy and Christine Ingelsby Dunleavy, Fairfield. Property: 131 Dunnlea Road, Fairfield. Amount: $950,000. Filed June 14. Berry, Scott J., Rowayton. Seller: Sara Paolini and Gregg Paolini, Norwalk. Property: 25 Walter Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $440,000. Filed June 3.

RPL Real Estate LLC, New Haven. Seller: Audrey R. Johnson, Norwalk. Property: 5 Caesar St., Norwalk. Amount: $132,500. Filed May 24.

Bigler, Amos Thomas, Norwalk. Seller: John P. Doyle and Laura H. Doyle, Fort Mill, South Carolina. Property: 57 Cedar St., Unit A2, Norwalk. Amount: $235,000. Filed May 29.

Smith, Hawthorn and Jocelyn Smith, Stamford. Seller: Real Property Solutions Group LLC, Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Property: 22 Hillandale Manor, Norwalk. Amount: $465,000. Filed May 24.

Castiglione, Thomas P., Norwalk. Seller: Stephanie A. McLaughlin, Stamford. Property: 193 Rowayton Woods Drive, Unit 193, Norwalk. Amount: $370,000. Filed June 3.

Wagenseller, Andrew and Carolyn Wagenseller, Fairfield. Seller: 78 Center Brook Road LLC, Fairfield. Property: 78 Center Brook Road, Fairfield. Amount: $875,000. Filed June 18.

Costello, Anna A., East Falmouth, Massachusetts. Seller: Randall Charchenko, Redmond, Washington. Property: 102 Hulls Highway, Southport. Amount: $357,000. Filed June 13.

Yury, Amy Mari, Riverside. Seller: Spinning Wheel Partners LLC, Fairfield. Property: 77 Spinning Wheel Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1,190,000. Filed June 14.

Damon, Derek J., Stamford. Seller: Bryan Frinhani and Jessica Lynn Frinhani, Norwalk. Property: 83 Washington St., Unit 2A, Norwalk. Amount: $186,000. Filed May 29.

Ding, Maolin and Kang Wang, Norwalk. Seller: Marianne C. Wilson, Wilton. Property: 47 Freshwater Lane, Wilton. Amount: $330,000. Filed May 29. Dingle, Kristen and Jonathan Dingle, Westport. Seller: Phillip G. Lavoie and Jillian Grant Lavoie, Fairfield. Property: 305 N. Pine Creek Road, Fairfield. Amount: $708,000. Filed June 14. Dippo, Lyle, Stamford. Seller: Elaine M. Little and Mary F. Weiner, Woodbury. Property: Lot 3, Map 5967, Ponus Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $437,500. Filed May 31. DiToro, Gary and Elvira T. Curcio, Norwalk. Seller: Stuart L. Schwerin, Norwalk. Property: 71 Aiken St., Unit Q4, Norwalk. Amount: $325,000. Filed May 31. Domiziano, Frank and Gloria Domiziano, Stamford. Seller: Sidney Brooks-Raha, Fairfield. Property: 8 Lynnbrook Road, Fairfield. Amount: $480,000. Filed June 17. Fairbone, Luisa Y. and Henry Chapman, White Plains, New York. Seller: Harriet P. Karassik, Norwalk. Property: 2 Heron Court, Unit 6, Norwalk. Amount: $637,250. Filed May 30. Forsland, Brent Alton and Marci Lynn Forsland, New Canaan. Seller: Charles Schemera, Stamford. Property: 42 S Main St., Unit 207, Norwalk. Amount: $210,000. Filed May 31. Genova, Christopher, Fairfield. Seller: Wayne L. Savard and Katherine F. Savard, Fairfield. Property: 278 Steiner St., Fairfield. Amount: $53,000. Filed June 14. Hennessy, Christopher and Meagan McHale, Norwalk. Seller: Garrett M. Long and Melinda M. Long, Norwalk. Property: 6 McKendry Court, Norwalk. Amount: $587,500. Filed May 30.

Facts & Figures Herzlich, Sandon and Danielle Herzlich, Wayne, Pennsylvania. Seller: Michael Finn and Sherri Finn, Norwalk. Property: 12 Pond Ridge Road, Norwalk. Amount: $1,499,000. Filed May 28.

Memaj, Brunilda, Norwalk. Seller: Salvatore Libertino and Palmina Libertino, Norwalk. Property: 12 Pumpkin Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $685,000. Filed May 31.

Ivanko, Shelley L., Norwalk. Seller: Shelley L. Ivanko, Norwalk. Property: 9 Appletree Lane, Norwalk. Amount: $1. Filed June 3.

Moran, Mollie, Stamford. Seller: William Cade and Gul Cade, Norwalk. Property: 2 Hadik Pkwy., Unit A1, Norwalk. Amount: $305,000. Filed May 30.

Joyce, Lauren, Fairfield. Seller: Linda A. Gabriele, Fairfield. Property: 17 Woodcrest Road, Fairfield. Amount: $630,000. Filed June 14. Kuang, Phillip, Norwalk. Seller: Keith T. Roxbury and Yessenia Roxbury, Ridgefield. Property: Lot 11, Map 2013, Norwalk. Amount: $495,000. Filed May 24. Manente, Jr, Ronald Carmen, Norwalk. Seller: Domenico A. Caratozzolo, Norwalk. Property: 52 Wolfpit Ave., Unit 1B, Norwalk. Amount: $155,000. Filed May 29. Massella, Zachary J. and Maria A. Manukas, Stamford. Seller: Fredrik Tunvall and Kimberly Tunvall, Norwalk. Property: 160 Wolfpit Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $485,128. Filed June 3. Mazzarese, Benjamin D. and Elisa Ann Mazzarese, Ridgefield. Seller: Michael P. Wellington and Annamarie T. Wellington, Norwalk. Property: 10 Silk St., Norwalk. Amount: $330,000. Filed May 31. McDonald, Gale I. and James L. McDonald, Norwalk. Seller: Anthony J. Accinno, New York, New York. Property: 1 Walter Ave., Unit 12, Norwalk. Amount: $150,000. Filed May 29. McNamee, Lisa and Ji Huon Kim, Norwalk. Seller: Sebastian James MacPherson Smith, Norwalk. Property: 11 Nursery Court, Norwalk. Amount: $580,000. Filed May 30.

Pepper, Mark, Norwalk. Seller: David J. Murcko and Kara E. Murcko, Norwalk. Property: Unit L-203, Washington Row Preservation. Norwalk. Amount: $221,000. Filed May 28. Prescott, Kaitlyn S., Norwalk. Seller: Francesca E. Joyce, Norwalk. Property: 25 Grand St., Unit 219, Norwalk. Amount: $220,500. Filed May 29. Rizzo, Francisco, et al, Norwalk. Seller: Michael Tavolacci and Jennifer Tavolacci, Norwalk. Property: 48 Karen Drive, Norwalk. Amount: $480,000. Filed June 3. Schlakman, David C. and Lisa L. Schlakman, Norwalk. Seller: Lisa L. Schlakman, Norwalk. Property: 5 Thomas Place, Unit 20, Norwalk. Amount: $1. Filed May 30. Schwanhausser, Stephen and Meg Schwanhausser, Rowayton. Seller: John Altier and Christina Altier, Norwalk. Property: 143 Roton Point Association, Norwalk. Amount: $95,0000. Filed May 30.

Spetsaris, Konstantinos and Bonnie Spetsaris, Wilton. Seller: Konstantinos Spetsaris and Bonnie Munroe, Wilton. Property: 158 Syrawberry Hill Ave., Norwalk. Amount: $0. Filed May 24. Surace, Michael C., Norwalk. Seller: Jaclyn B. Bartolo, Norwalk. Property: 13 Maurice St., Norwalk. Amount: $411,000. Filed May 31. Twist, Donna, Fairfield. Seller: Robert Wilhelmy Jr., Fairfield. Property: 71 Southport Green, Fairfield. Amount: $1,200,000. Filed June 14.

FORECLOSURES Bennet, Douglas, et al. Creditor: HSBC Bank USA, Fort Mill, South Carolina. Property: 178 Glen Ridge Road, Fairfield. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 6. Brueski, Walter E., et al. Creditor: Owen Loan Servicing LLC, Greenville, South Carolina. Property: 17 Imperial Drive, Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed July 29. Donohue, Eleanor Ann, et al. Creditor: Cascade Funding RM3 Acquisitions Grantor Trust, Austin, Texas. Property: 57 Shore Road Rear, Greenwich. Mortgage default. Filed July 29. Escalante, Alexander, et al. Creditor: HSBC Bank USA, Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 194 Newtown Ave., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed July 25.

Shah, Samit M. and Reshma Narula, Hamden. Seller: James Kistner and Kristie Kistner, Fairfield. Property: 1018 High St., Fairfield. Amount: $650,000. Filed June 14.

Heussner, James, et al. Creditor: Citibank NA, Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Fallon, Montana. Property: 10 Platt St., Unit 7, Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed July 25.

Slutzky, Nathan and Elizabeth Slutzky, Norwalk. Seller: Meri Wick, Norwalk. Property: 56 Devils Garden Road, Norwalk. Amount: $693,209. Filed June 3.

Mejia, Juan, et al. Creditor: The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company NA, Laurel, New Jersey. Property: 11 Woodland Ave., Norwalk. Mortgage default. Filed Aug. 8.

JUDGMENTS Aarons, Shane, Bridgeport. $3,099, in favor of Credit Management Corp., Westbrook, by Susan Miller-Price. Bridgeport. Property: 329 Willow St., Bridgeport. Filed June 26. Ancrum, Robert, Bridgeport. $3,601, in favor of The United Illuminating Company, New Haven, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 90 Orland St., Bridgeport. Filed June 28. Gilbert, Pierrot, Bridgeport. $799, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by Schreiber/Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 190 Norland Ave., Bridgeport. Filed June 13. Hilaire, John R., Bridgeport. $22,335, in favor of Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC, Bridgeport, by Cohen, Burns, Hard & Paul, West Hartford. Property: 2534 Autumn St., Bridgeport. Filed July 2. Hilinsky, William and Allison Hilinsky, Bridgeport. $8,811, in favor of Roto Rooter Services Co., Chicago, Illinois, by Jacobs & Rozich LLC New Haven. Property: 1486 Capitol Ave., No. 501, Bridgeport. Filed June 13. Jackson, Lashonda, Bridgeport. $2,029, in favor of The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, Orange, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 68 Sherman St., Bridgeport. Filed July 8. Malachi, Darryll Alvin, et al, Norwalk, $34,316, in favor of American Builders & Contractors Supply Company Inc., New Haven, by Sugarman & Sugarman, New Haven. Property: 1033 Old Town Road, Bridgeport. Filed July 9. Mascendaro, Philip, Bridgeport. $6,854, in favor of American Express Centurion Bank, Salt Lake City, Utah, by Zwicker & Associates PC, Enfield. Property: 295 Glendale Ave., Unit C3, Bridgeport. Filed June 19.

Mulgrave, Kevin, Bridgeport. $4,960, in favor of Synchrony Bank, Albany, New York, by Solomon and Solomon PC, Albany, New York. Property: 77 Hillcrest Road, Bridgeport. Filed June 24.

Vilanova, Elsie Y., Bridgeport. $2,215, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber/Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 242 Adams St., Bridgeport. Filed June 13.

Parker, Lillie M., Bridgeport. $6,520, in favor of The Southern Connecticut Gas Co., Orange, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 30 Jennings Ave., Bridgeport. Filed June 19.

LIENS

Pierce, Debra and Christopher Chase, Bridgeport. $2,591, in favor of Family Dental Group-CA, Fairfield, by Abraham M. Hoffmann, Trumbull. Property: 444 Pond St., Bridgeport. Filed June 28. Rankine, Diane, Bridgeport. $11,857, in favor of The Southern Connecticut Gas Co., Orange, by Nair & Levin PC, Bloomfield. Property: 120 Whitney Ave., No. 122, Bridgeport. Filed June 28. Reineke, Brian, Bridgeport. $2,753, in favor of Midland Funding LLC, San Diego, California, by Schreiber/Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 180 Broadridge Road, Bridgeport. Filed June 13. Romero-Lopez, Paula C., Bridgeport. $2,960, in favor of Sikorsky Financial Credit Union Inc, Stratford, by Tobin & Marohn, Meriden. Property: 68 Janet Circle, Unit 12, Bridgeport. Filed July 2. Romildo, Luciana R., Bridgeport. $12,184, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber Law LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 147 Wetmore Road, Bridgeport. Filed July 8. Siksay, Ethel V., Bridgeport. $17,866, in favor of Discover Bank, New Albany, Ohio, by Schreiber/Cohen LLC, Salem, New Hampshire. Property: 334 Tesiny Ave., Bridgeport. Filed June 13.

Federal Tax Liens Filed Ali, Mujibur R. and Shamsun N. Begum, 21 McClurg Ave., Apartment 2, Stamford. $21,731, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 13. Ali, Mujibur R. 21 McClurg Ave., Apt. 2, Stamford. $50,600, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 13. Bramante, Heidi, 38 Randall Ave., Stamford. $0, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 6. Gomez, Ortiz and Sugey Gomez de Leon, 93 Victory St., Stamford. $3,703, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Joyce, John, 68 Autumn Lane, Stamford. $1,669, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 7. Kone, Mamadou A., P.O. Box 4168, Stamford. $8,498, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Kone, Mamadou A., P.O. Box 4168, Stamford. $6,538, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Kone, Mamadou A., P.O. Box 4168, Stamford. $250, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Magen Services LLC, 139 Houston Terrace, Stamford. $21,944, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Marroquin, Abbner, 18 Belltown Road, Stamford. $18,772, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. McManus, Charles B., 205 N Stamford Road, Stamford. $20,214, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8.

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AUGUST 19, 2019

Facts & Figures Medina Loveras LLC and T.A. Discovery Café, 185 Stillwater Ave., Stamford. $58,625, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Nuelle, Philip K., 306 Club Road, Stamford. $10,072, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Ortiz, Transito H., 93 Victory St., Stamford. $9,706, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Ortiz, Transito H., and S. Gomez de Leon, 93 Victory St., Stamford. $5,137, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Palomo, Karina, P.O. Box 112, Stamford. $2,446, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Putrino, Mark and Kathleen Putrino, 407 Den Road, Stamford. $41,255, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 13. Schiattarela, Carlo and N. Uljanov, 957 Rock Rimmon Road, Stamford. $31,935, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 13. Scordato, Joseph C., 2289 Bedford St., Unit C8, Stamford. $88,576, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 13. Septemus, Bryan, P.O. Box 113312, Stamford. $13,962, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Sheftell, Karen, 143 Hoyt St., Apt. 5J, Stamford. $72,611, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 6. Taverna, Rosemary, 88 Southfield Ave., Apartment 107, Stamford. $148,908, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 6. Villalobos, Silvino and Karina Palomo, P.O. Box 112, Stamford. $10,384, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8. Von Schilling, Julia E., 1100 Summer St., Fourth floor, Stamford. $13,523, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 8.

AUGUST 19, 2019

Wimberley, George, 24 Radio Place, No. 28, Stamford. $791, civil proceeding tax. Filed May 7.

Mechanic’s Liens Campfield Drive Properties LLC, Fairfield. Filed by Sunshine Floor Supplies Inc., Bridgeport, by Razvan Tata. Property: 50 Campfield Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $6,336. Filed May 17. Mangotree Real Estate Holdings LP, Roslyn Heights, New York. Filed by Anchor House Builders LLC, Greenwich, by Ian A. McAuley. Property: 6 Wellner Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $9,516. Filed March 15. Pavano, Carmen and Alissa Pavano, Fairfield. Filed by E. W. Granite & Marble LLC, Farmington, by Stacey L. Parker. Property: 120 Senate Lane, Fairfield. Amount: $8,255. Filed May 10. Taylor, Catherin Ann, Fairfield. Filed by James C. Taylor, Southport, by Chris Taylor. Property: 2940 Redding Road, Fairfield. Amount: $1,496,820. Filed April 8. The First Congregational Church of Black Rock, Fairfield. Filed by Vertical Enterprises Inc., East Hartford, by Thomas L. Kanasky Jr. Property: 3685 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield. Amount: $11,205. Filed April 2. The Ponderosa LLC, Fairfield. Filed by East End Developers Inc., Bridgeport, by Kieth Myers. Property: 373 Cross Highway, Fairfield. Amount: $97,920. Filed April 16.

LIS PENDENS Stephenson Residential Services LLC, et al, Fairfield. Filed by the Law Offices of Keith K. Fuller, Enfield, for PS Funding Inc. Property: 11 Revere Drive, Unit 19F-3, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 6.

FCBJ

Chesnovich, Bogdan, et al, Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for US Bank National Association. Property: 40 Lindsey Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 21.

Marc, Madeleine, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for HSBC Bank USA, National Association. Property: 9-11 Mission St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 20.

Chrzanowski, Arkadiusz J., et al, Stamford. Filed by McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC, Hartford, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Company. Property: 714 Hope St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 20.

Martinez, Vincent S., et al, Stamford. Filed by Frankel & Berg, Norwalk, for The Windemere Condominium Inc., Property: 300 Broad St., Unit 601, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants mortgage. Filed June 6.

Gayan, Heraclio, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 47 Warren St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 17. Hoque, Mohammed N., Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 37-39 Southfield Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed June 17. Jimenez, Pedro, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 12 Lipton Place, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 17. Krasniqui, Hyre, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 83 Maltbie Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 17. Kuznetsova, Julia, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 126 William St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 10. Lanuk, John, et al, Stamford. Filed by the Law Office of Vincent J. Freccia III, Stamford, for the city of Stamford. Property: 33 Heather Drive, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 12.

Petersen, Julie, Stamford. Filed by Prince Law Group, Stamford, for H. Justin Cosell. Property: 154 Cold Spring Road, Unit 54, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed June 12. Rinaldi, Frank E., et al, Stamford. Filed by Marinosci Law Group PC, Warwick, Rhode Island, for Loancare LLC. Property: Lot 6, Map 3462, Hope St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 20. Sabaoan, Marivic E., et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Wells Fargo Bank. Property: 59 Liberty St., No. 28, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ Mortgage. Filed June 20. Saenz, Giselly Yanella, Stamford. Filed by Mark Sank & Associates LLC, Stamford, for Roberto P. Miranda. Property: 115 Lockwood Ave., Unit 1, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed June 21. Simms, Catherine, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Deutsche Bank National Trust Company. Property: 3043 High Ridge Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 12. Thaqi, Mete, et al, Stamford. Filed by Bendett & McHugh PC, Farmington, for Bank of America NA. Property: 466 Wire Mill Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 12.

The Coleman Towers Tenants Association Inc., Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 72 Spruce St., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendant’s mortgage. Filed June 21. Vines, Johnny, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Greenway Condominium Association Inc. Property: 60 Lawn Ave., Building H, Unit 43, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 17. Whittington, Angeline, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Stamford Water Pollution Control Authority. Property: 14 Orlando Ave., Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 17. Woodcock, Edward, et al, Stamford. Filed by Vincent J. Freccia III, Stamford, for the city of Stamford. Property: 139 Turn of River Road, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 20. Yuen, Kwok Hung, et al, Stamford. Filed by Ackerly & Ward, Stamford, for the Cambridge Court Association Inc. Property: Unit 8, Cambridge Court Condominium, Stamford. Action: foreclose defendants’ mortgage. Filed June 24.

LEASES Andrade de Oliveira, Alex, by Nicole C. Sousa. Landlord; Crespo Law Firm LLC, Bridgeport. Property: 735 Ruth St., Bridgeport. Term: 7 years, commenced June 29, 2019. Filed July 11. Mora, Angel and Geraldine Rey Bociga, by Marylou Weeks. Landlord: Success Village Apartments Inc., Bridgeport. Property: 100 Court D, Building 15, Apartment 5, Bridgeport. Term: 35 years, commenced July 31, 2019. Filed Aug. 1.

MORTGAGES Alvarado Hidalgo, Giovanni, Stratford, by Kurt M. Ahlberg. Lender: Philip J. Zrelak, 541 Short Beach Road, Stratford. Property: Lots 18 and 19, Map 100. Bridgeport. Amount: $75,300. Filed April 4. Barrera, Carlos and Candida Barrera, Bridgeport, by Maria E. Bakies. Lender: Caliber Home Loans Inc., 1525 S. Belt Line Road, Coppell, Texas. Property: 772-774 Howard Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $129,500. Filed April 2. Castaneda, Lauren W. and Jason G. Castaneda, Fairfield, by John Grad Lender: Guaranteed Rate Inc., 3940 N Ravenswood, Chicago, Illinois. Property: 153 Brookside Drive, Fairfield. Amount: $601,450. Filed Feb. 1. Cordero Properties LLC, Bridgeport, by Gregory T. Lattanza. Lender: Finance of America Commercial LLC, 6230 Fairview Road, Suite 300, Charlotte, North Carolina. Property: 88 Suggetts Lane, No. 90, Bridgeport. Amount: $108,750. Filed April 3. Defilippo, Michael A., Bridgeport, by Edward J. Duffy. Lender: Harwood Financial LLC, 163 Harwood Road, Waterbury. Property: 468 Queen St., Bridgeport. Amount: $153,000. Filed April 4. Diniz Pereira and Larissa DeMello, Bridgeport, by Cheryl A. Rodriguez. Lender: First National Bank of America, 241 E. Saginaw St., East Lansing, Michigan. Property: 556 Goldenrod Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $147,000. Filed April 2. Fearon, Mark O., Bridgeport, by Kenneth J. Ginsberg. Lender: UMC Mortgage Company, 25 Melville Park Road, Suite 100, Melville, New York. Property: 70 Clinton Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $137,000. Filed April 4.

Facts & Figures Gleason, John J., Bridgeport, by Elizabeth Ruff. Lender: Webster Bank NA, 145 Bank St., Waterbury. Property: 384 Savoy St., Bridgeport. Amount: $195,000. Filed April 4. Hodzic, Emsa, Bridgeport, by Faranak Hojjat. Lender: United Bank, 1645 Ellington Road, South Windsor. Property: 80 Cartwright St., No. 3M, Bridgeport. Amount: $39,000. Filed April 2. Luna, Howard, Bridgeport, by Daniel Price. Lender: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh St., Washington, D.C. Property: 213 Wade St., Bridgeport. Amount: $70,070. Filed April 3. McKenzie, Beverner and Charles McKenzie, Bridgeport, by Jonathan A. Wetmore. Lender: Webster Bank NA, 145 Bank St., Waterbury. Property: 52-56 Waldorf Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $194,700. Filed April 4. Michel, Yvette, Bridgeport, by Jay A. Rosenberg. Lender: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh St., Washington, D.C. Property: 719 Queen St., No. 21, Bridgeport. Amount: $68,285. Filed April 2. Naranjo, Jose G., Bridgeport, by Patricia A. Starkey. Lender: Newrez LLC, 4000 Chemical Road, Suite 200, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Property: 73-75 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $191,250. Filed April 3. Onorio, Douglas O., Bridgeport, by Corinne M. Abbott. Lender: E. Mortgage Management LLC, 3 Executive Campus, Suite 520, Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Property: 292 Coleman St., Bridgeport. Amount: $272, 650. Filed April 3. Rivera, Ricardo, Bridgeport, by Stephen P. Sobin. Lender: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, 999 West St., Rocky Hill. Property: 258 Pleasant view Ave., Bridgeport. Amount: $33,712. Filed April 4.

Santana, Christian, Bridgeport, by Joshua F. Gilman. Lender: Evolve Bank & Trust, 6070 Poplar Ave. Suite 200, Memphis, Tennessee. Property: 112 Quince St., Bridgeport. Amount: $380,972. Filed April 2. Smith, Grace, Bridgeport, by Kishore I. Kapoor. Lender: Loandepot.com LLC, 26642 Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, California. Property: 190 Oakwood St., Bridgeport. Amount: $196,377. Filed April 2. Stella, William A., Bridgeport, by Cynthia Saunders Maignan. Lender: Loandepot.com LLC, 26642 Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, California. Property: 25 Janet Circle, Unit B, Bridgeport. Amount: $144,700. Filed April 4.

NEW BUSINESSES A.I.R. Construction Solutions, 196 Fifth St., Stamford 06905, c/o Attracted Innovations LLC. Filed May 29. Anna Pomaz, 50 Forest St., Apartment 508, Stamford 06901, c/o Anna Pomaz. Filed May 22. Innovation Curtains Ville, 125 Michael Road, Stamford 06903. c/o Innovation LLC. Filed May 29. Design Strategize Construct Complete, 100 Prospect St., Stamford 06901, c/o DSCC. Filed May 29. Diego Property Services DPS, 43 Crescent St., Unit 20B, Stamford 06902, c/o Cindy Garcia-Diego. Filed May 22. Eze Pool Construction Service, 46 Seaside Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Ezekiel Felix Ojeah-Watson. Filed June 4. Fairview Construction, 832 Bedford St., Stamford 06905, c/o Matthew Haine. Filed May 24.

Glory of God Healing Ministries, 133 Tresser Blvd., Stamford 06901, c/o Jean Nelson. Filed May 29.

Women Summit, 81 Rock Spring Road, Stamford 06906, c/o Maria Cristina Soto. Filed May 23.

Greenwich Education Group DBA, 78 Harvard Ave., Stamford 06902, c/o Victoria C. Newman. Filed June 4.

PATENTS

Greenwich Education Group DBA, 44 Commerce Road, Stamford 06902, c/o Peter L. Newman. Filed June 4. LJF Flooring, 56 Leonard St., Stamford 06906, c/o Luiz O. Franchi. Filed May 30. Meso Athletics, 42 Scofield Ave., Apt. 1, Stamford 06906, c/o Fabian Garvey. Filed June 4. MyPicture, 135 Alpine St., Stamford 06905, c/o Faryna Children’s Entertainment LLC. Filed May 30. Orange Theory Fitness, 1101 High Ridge Road, Stamford 06902, c/o VO2 Max Stamford LLC. Filed June 4. Pinot’s Palette, 25 Harbor Point Road, Stamford 06902, c/o Chad M. Smith. Filed June 4. Pro Finish Auto LLC, 53 Halloween Blvd., Stamford 06905, c/o Nicholas Frank Hanzlik. Filed May 29. Schule of Music LLC, 102 Blackwood Lane, Stamford 06903. c/o Michele M. Schule. Filed May 22. Shippan Corner Variety, 379 Shippan Ave., Stamford 06901, c/o Mazza Enterprises LLC. Filed May 23. Stamford and Springdale Animal Hospital, 995 Hope St., Stamford 06907, c/o Hope Veterinary Group LLC. Filed May 22. Stone Man Construction LLC, 26 Oiave St., Stamford 06902, c/o Venedo Carrera. Filed May 28.

Approach for partially preserving music in the presence of intelligible speech. Patent no. 10,368,164 issued to James M. Kirsch, Salt Lake City, Utah; Ajay Iyer, Murray, Utah; Richard Allen Kreifeldt, South Jordan, Utah. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. Chemical formula extrapolation and query building to identify source documents referencing relevant chemical formula moieties. Patent no. 10,372,713 issued to Paul Blake, Newton, Pennsylvania; Kevin Brogle, Cream Ridge, New Jersey; Kevin Brown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Don Kyle, Yardley, Pennsylvania. Assigned to Purdue Pharma LP, Stamford. Constrained nonlinear parameter estimation for robust nonlinear loudspeaker modeling for the purpose of smart limiting. Patent no. 10,349,195 issued to Douglas J. Button, Simi Valley, California; Russell H. Lambert, Highland, Utah. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. Controlling perceived ambient sounds based on focus level. Patent no. 10,362,385 issued to Davide Di Censo, Sunnyvale, California; Adam Boulanger, Palo Alto, California; Joseph Verbeke, San Francisco, California; Stefan Marti, Oakland, California. Assigned to Harman, Stamford. Electrified-cable system for carriage transit and method of making same. Patent no. 10,347,401 issued to Rodger Lynn Gibson, Stamford. Assigned to Airbornway Corp., Stamford.

Electrostatic 3-D development apparatus using cold fusing. Patent no. 10,369,744 issued to James A. Winters, Alfred Station; New York; Erwin Ruiz, Rochester; Paul J. McConville, Webster; Jason M. Lefevre, Penfield; Chu-heng Liu, Penfield. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

System and method for calculating estimated time of runway landing and gate arrival for aircraft. Patent no. 10,373,507 issued to Matthew Marcella, Stamford; Thomas White, Stamford.

Method and apparatus for instant processing of a document workflow. Patent no. 10,375,033 issued to Ramesh Nagarajan, Pittsford; Surya Prakash Kotha, Tamil Nadu, India. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

System and method for digital audio conference workflow management. Patent no. 10,367,861 issued to Rudresha T. Shetty, Nivedita Nagar Mysore, India; Raghunandan Ghagarvale, Chitradurga Hiriyur, India. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

Redistributing gain to reduce near-field noise in head-worn audio systems. Patent no. 10,375,466 issued to Branden Sheffield, Saratoga Springs, Utah; James M. Kirsch, Salt Lake City, Utah. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

Tamper-resistant oral opioid agonist formulations. Patent no. 10,350,173 issued to Benjamin Oshlack, Boca Raton, Florida; Curtis Wright, Norwalk; J. David Haddox, Upper Stepney. Assigned to Purdue Pharma LP, Stamford.

Rigging system for speakers. Patent no. 10,375,468 issued to Jacques Spillmann, Los Angeles, California; Derrick Rodgers, Altadena, California; Lawrence Romestant, Northridge, California. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

Unified wave-front fullrange wave guide for a loudspeaker. Patent no. 10,356,512 issued to Paul Wayne Peace Jr., Port Hueneme, California. Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

Single mode fiber distribution design to maximize capacity and resilience in GPON deployments and use thereof. Patent no. 10,374,746 issued to Jonathan Gordon Lawrence. Assigned to Frontier Communications Corp., Norwalk.

Universal part gripper with conformable gripper ball with vacuum assist. Patent no. 10,369,806 issued to Linn C. Hoover, Webster; Erwin Ruiz, Rochester; Jeffrey J. Bradway, Rochester; Paul M. Fromm, Rochester. Assigned to Xerox, Norwalk.

Slidable step for mounting and dismounting a vehicle. Patent no. 10,351,065 issued to Silverio Aleman, Watsonville, California. Assigned to United Rentals Inc., Stamford. System and method for alerting a user of preference-based external sounds when listening to audio through headphones. Patent no. 10,375,465 issued to Pratyush Sahay, Karnataka, India.Assigned to Harman, Stamford.

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AUGUST 19, 2019

lin e.co m n o ir a f t s e w g o to r 18

Deadline is O

c to b e

Winners will go on to be our thriving thirty and will be honored at a special event in April.

Large company, midsize company or small company; all will be considered. NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS: To be nominated the company must be a member of a business organization and have a physical location in Fairfield County. • The nominator must also be a member of a business organization and be a Business Journal subscriber. If not – no worries. We will gift you a year’s subscription.* •

AWARD CATEGORIES: Most Entrepreneurial company • Most Family-friendly company • Greenest company • Most Pet-friendly company • Most Promising for the upcoming generations • Most Socially Conscious company • Most Visionary company •

Business organizations partnering with the Fairfield County Business Journal are: Bridgeport Regional Business Council, The Business Council of Fairfield County, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Stamford Chamber of Commerce For information, contact: Olivia D’Amelio at odamelio@westfairinc.com. For sponsorships, contact: Barbara Hanlon at bhanlon@westfairinc.com or 914-358-0766.

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