Newsletter highlights new businesses in Derby and Seymour, more

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features the opening of a counseling practice in Derby, a unique shop in Seymour, and a story about snow, cars, and mistaken identity.

Thanks for reading!

We'll be back on Tuesday. Enjoy the weekend!

Patti and Ralph

Cooking class in Ansonia to benefit Junior Achievement of Western CT

JA teams with Ansonia Charger Club to teach financial literacy

Megan Kozlowski and her mom, Michelle Kozlowski. participate in Ansonia Charger Club's Financial Literacy Night with Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut. 

Photo credit: Junior Achievement of Western CT.

April is Financial Literacy Month and last month Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut teamed up with local organizations to help students learn about careers, budgeting, taxes, smart credit use and insurance. 

Teachers, administrators, college students and business professionals volunteered their time to teach important financial literacy concepts to students that will help them make informed decisions as future members of the workforce

On April 5, JAWCT brought Financial Literacy Night to Ansonia Middle School students and families thanks to the Ansonia Boys and Girls Charger Club and the Avangrid Foundation, the charitable arm of AVANGRID, Inc., parent company of United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas. 

Webster Bank employees facilitated lessons on budgeting, career and college readiness, and personal branding. Volunteers from many local companies, including Bank of NY Mellon, Better Packages, Bigelow Tea, JP Morgan Chase, Odyssey Logistics & Technology, People's United Bank, Webster Bank, and Wells Fargo discussed career and education decisions with students and how those decisions will impact their future. 

Students walked away with a better understanding of personal finance and the ability to share this information with their families.

Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut was founded in 1947, and reaches over 22,500 on an annual basis throughout the Greater Danbury, Bridgeport, and Valley areas. 

Visit www.jawct.org for more information.

This is a press release from Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut.

Ansonia business leader inducted to Junior Achievement Hall of Fame

Bernadine Venditto, president, Junior Achievement of Western CT, and Board member Adam Dworkin present an award Tuesday to Philip White, CEO of Better Packages in Ansonia./ Contributed photo

BRIDGEPORT - Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut's Dr. George R. Dunbar Free Enterprise Hall of Fame event was held Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. Title sponsors were People's United Bank and R.D. Scinto.

More than 260 local Junior Achievement supporters attended the banquet, including U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Hall of Fame Honorary Chairman John Ciulla, President of Webster Bank, Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau, and many others.

The following prestigious business leaders were inducted into the Hall of Fame: 

Jack Barnes, President & CEO of People's United Bank, Traci Morris, CEO of Brookfield Global Relocation Services, John Stafstrom Jr., Member, Pullman & Comley and Philip White, CEO of Better Packages.

"Our Hall of Fame inductees are successful business and community role models who demonstrate leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and community caring to our Junior Achievement students," said Bernadine Venditto, President, Junior Achievement of Western CT.

Junior Achievement also presented the Outstanding Educator Award to Bethel High School teacher, Monica Black, and the Outstanding Volunteer Award to Jennifer Brand from Prudential Annuities.

Proceeds from the event support Junior Achievement's programs that will reach more than 22,600 students in western Connecticut this school year.

This is a press release from Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut. 
For more information visit http://www.jawct.org.

Junior Achievement to honor CEO of Better Packages in Ansonia

Philip White 

An Ansonia business executive is among four honorees who will be inducted into Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut's 2016 'Dr. George R. Dunbar Free Enterprise Hall of Fame’ Tuesday at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport.

Philip White, CEO of Better Packages in Ansonia, will be honored along with Jack Barnes, President and CEO of People's United Bank, John Stafstrom Jr., Member, Pullman & Comley, Traci Morris, CEO of Brookfield Global Relocation Services.

The Hall of Fame recognizes business leaders who have made notable contributions in the area of private enterprise and who have also demonstrated exceptional dedication to their communities. 

Philip White joined Better Packages, an operating unit of ASCOM Hasler, Inc. in 1997 as General Manager. 

In 2003, White led a management buyout of the company and became President and CEO. 

During his time at Better Packages the company expanded into more than 40 countries and revenues increased by over 300 percent. Prior to his work at Better Packages, White held senior level positions at ASCOM Hasler, Inc. and Pirelli Tire Corp.

White serves on the boards of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, Shelton Economic Development Corporation, American Heart Association (New Haven Walkathon) and Griffin Health Services Corporation.

He holds an MBA in Management from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Science with a dual major in Economics and Education from the University of Southern Connecticut.

For more information about Junior Achievement and ticket or sponsorship information for the Hall of Fame event, call 203-382-0180 ext. 10 or email randoh@jawct.org.

About Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. 

JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship. 

For more information about JAWCT or to volunteer, please visit www.jawct.org or call 203-382-0180.

This is a press release from Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut.