Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors welcomes Shelton native

Aleta Miner

DERBY - The Valley Community Foundation’s Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Aleta Miner, Assistant to the President of the Shelton Economic Development Corporation. 

Sharon Closius, VCF President and CEO, said, “On behalf of the VCF Board of Directors, we are thrilled to welcome Aleta. Having spent the past two and a half decades with the Shelton Economic Development Corporation, she brings a level of energy and connectivity that we are very fortunate to have. 

"Her professional and personal involvement throughout the City of Shelton, and the Valley as a whole, speaks volumes to how committed she is to not only this community but the organizations that serve it. We look forward to having Aleta join us as we work towards building the Valley’s permanent philanthropic endowment.”

Aleta Miner

Aleta Miner, a Shelton native, has worked as assistant to the President of the Shelton Economic Development Corporation since 1994. She is proud of her contributions to Shelton’s dramatic economic growth in both the commercial and residential sectors, especially in the downtown area. 

Having served on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley for nearly two decades, Aleta has also been involved with several other nonprofits and organizations. She served on the Strategic Planning Committee for Center Stage Theatre, as a Corporator of BHcare, and on the Advisory Board for the Yale University Community Rowing Program. 

She also holds an elected office with the City of Shelton on the Library Board of Trustees. 

No stranger to the Valley Community Foundation, Aleta has been involved with VCF’s Community Grant Program, Board Advisory Council, and Development Committee. 

She has also received the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce Gold Seal Award in recognition of her many civic contributions. 

When not busy improving her corner of the world, Aleta enjoys entertaining friends and family at her home along the Housatonic River with her husband Ed and daughters, Ali and Kate. 

About the Valley Community Foundation

Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. 

VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives a majority of its discretionary funding as a result of The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. 

To learn how your gifts of cash, life insurance, appreciated stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets can help support the quality of life in the Valley, visit www.valleyfoundation.org or contact VCF President Sharon Closius at sclosius@valleyfoundation.org or 203-751-9162.

This is a press release from the Valley Community Foundation.

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.