Pullman & Comley and People's United Bank Host Greater Bridgeport Business Community "Celebrating Diversity" Reception
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut: People’s United Bank and the law firm Pullman & Comley, LLC hosted the fourth annual “Celebrating Diversity in the Greater Bridgeport Business Community” reception on November 2. The event highlighted the work of local women- and minority-owned businesses and was held in the lobby of 850 Main Street in downtown Bridgeport.
Nearly 200 area business owners, community leaders and non-profit representatives were in attendance. Five local businesses –Allure Dental, American View Productions, Bavier Design, KOTA and Meatball Heaven− showcased their products and services at the event. “We are here not only to recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in our community, but also to celebrate your entrepreneurship and the positive and lasting impact your businesses have had for everyone in Greater Bridgeport and the region,” said Armando Goncalves, Market President, People’s United Bank, as he addressed the event’s guests.
Pullman & Comley’s Chairman James (Tim) Shearin also praised the region’s women and minority-owned businesses for their commitment to growing the business community and bringing a diversity of ideas, cultures and innovative products to the marketplace. “This has become an event that we look forward to each year,” said Shearin. “You are a truly dynamic group, and we appreciate all that each of you are doing to revitalize our city.”
An important component of the “Celebrating Diversity” reception is to honor a nonprofit organization that supports the growth of the Bridgeport community and its workers. This year, the Housatonic Community College Foundation was recognized for helping deserving students with scholarships and tuition assistance. The college’s Manufacturing Technology program was also praised for providing students with the advanced manufacturing skills necessary to fulfill the needs of local companies. To celebrate these accomplishments, Goncalves, Shearin and Christopher McCormack, an attorney with Pullman & Comley, presented a check to Dr. Paul Broadie, Housatonic Community College President, to help fund the college’s programs.
As the event has grown in popularity, the number of supporting partners has also grown to include: Bridgeport Regional Business Council, Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport, City of Bridgeport – Small & Minority Business Resource Office, Southern Connecticut Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Bridgeport Latino Network.
About People’s United
People's United Bank (NASDAQ: PBCT) is a subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc., a diversified financial services company with $40 billion in assets. Founded in 1842, People’s United Bank is a premier, community-based, regional bank in the Northeast offering commercial and retail banking, as well as wealth management services through a network of more than 400 retail locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
About Pullman & Comley, LLC
With nearly 100 attorneys, Pullman & Comley, LLC is one of Connecticut’s largest firms and has been based in Bridgeport for more than 95 years. The firm provides a wide range of legal services to clients in the New England region, as well as throughout the United States and internationally. Pullman & Comley’s major practice areas include business organizations and finance; environmental, regulatory and telecommunications; government finance; health care; labor, employment law and employee benefits; litigation; property tax and valuation; real estate and land use; and trusts and estates. The firm has offices in Bridgeport, Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury and White Plains. The firm is an active member of the Law Firm Alliance, an international affiliation of law firms. For more information, please visit www.pullcom.com.