By Robert Kanehl

Meeting at the Villa Louisa in Bolton the night of January 24th, the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce (CTRVCC) held its annual awards dinner.

East Hartford individuals were singled out for honors. Former mayor Mike Walsh and RTX’s (Pratt & Whitney) community liaison Heather Summerer were presented with chamber awards for their local community leadership.

East Hartford resident Walsh was selected as this year’s Melody Currey Community Leadership Award winner. Until he stepped aside in November, Walsh implemented a complete shakeup of town government, setting an ambitious “Control Tower” agenda of some 40 projects. He pushed for the purchase of the Church Corners Inn and the former J.M. Fields department store, relocated Town Hall operations in order to upgrade the 88-year-old structure, and opened up his office to the residents by holding weekly ‘Ask the Mayor’ video sessions. Walsh declined a second term to devote his time to bring about the ambitious “Port Eastside” initiative, a plan to bring more office and residential development to the East Hartford Riverfront.

Before serving as mayor Walsh worked for the state Office of Policy and Management, and before that was East Hartford’s finance director for 23 years. Chamber presenters noted his community service dates back decades.

In thanking the chamber – and State Rep. Jeff Currey – for the award, Walsh tied his efforts in town to his mentor, Jeff’s mom, the former mayor and state representative and DAS commissioner, Melody Currey. He said the former mayor provided him with an example, and an excellent education in the key role government could have at both the local and state levels. Walsh credited his apprenticeship under the late mayor for making him into the leader he became for East Hartford.
Walsh thanked the Currey family, and challenged the chamber to continue to support grassroots leaders such as Melody Currey in every town the CTRVCC serves.

That may be one more town as the CTRVCC continues to expand. First formed as a merger of the local chambers of commerce in East Hartford, Glastonbury and Marlborough – now the third largest chamber in the state with nearly 600 members – the regional chamber will soon add the members of the Hebron Chamber of Commerce, which wishes to merge with the group.

Dozens of East Hartford businesses have directly experienced the benefits of CTRVCC membership. Over the past year, CTRVCC oversaw distribution of nearly $2.1 million to small businesses in town. Applications for another $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Funding are being reviewed, by the East Hartford Development Department and chamber staff, before distribution is approved to town small businesses. Notable projects funded by the program included the façade improvements to Town Hall Hardware and C-Town.

Heather Summerer, an executive at RTX, received the Chamber’s President’s Award. Chamber leaders cited her efforts to promote the chamber, its members, and expand the organization.

Summerer heads RTX’s public affairs division, and has over 27 years working for Pratt & Whitney. Her efforts in town were highlighted, including her establishment of East Hartford’s Trunk or Treat event held on the former runways at Rentschler Field.

In her thanks to the chamber, Summerer explained that her efforts at promoting the organization were made easier by the fact that the members themselves were often willing to provide locations and products that helped with gatherings and other events.