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 fifth annual “Celebrating Diversity in the Greater Bridgeport Business Community” reception on November 8. 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. Four local businesses –Komfort Zone, La Signature Cheesecake, The Schegg Group and Zuniga, Gallego & Zhunio, LLC− 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. “You are a truly dynamic group, and we appreciate all that each of you are doing to revitalize our city and region, by bringing a diversity of ideas, cultures, and innovative products to the marketplace” said Shearin.
An important component of the “Celebrating Diversity” reception is to honor a nonprofit organization that supports the growth of the Bridgeport community and the workforce. This year, The Kennedy Center, one of the most comprehensive rehabilitation facilities in the state of Connecticut, was recognized for the program services it provides to persons with special needs and disabilities from birth through their senior years. Founded in 1951, The Kennedy Center’s mission is to promote the empowerment of individuals with diverse abilities, disabilities and experiences, toward optimal participation and inclusion in the community. Each year, it provides more than 2,000 individuals with services including independent living skills training, community re-integration and specialized job training and job placement.
To celebrate these accomplishments, Goncalves, Shearin, Marisol Herrara and Denise Massingale-Lamb from the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, presented a check to Martin Schwartz, president and CEO of The Kennedy Center, to help fund the organizations programs and services.
Goncalves also acknowledged the six supporting partner organizations who foster the strength and promise of the Bridgeport region and assisted with publicizing the event. These organizations 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 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.
About People’s United
People's United Bank ,N.A is a subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:PBCT), a diversified financial services company with $44 billion in assets. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842, 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 over 400 retail locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.