The Future Leaders of West Hartford’s Local Leaders Series resumes Aug. 22, 2o24.

Submitted

FLOW (Future Leaders of West Hartford) will host the next session of its Local Leaders Series on Aug. 22, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. The Local Leaders Series was designed to give young professionals access to community leaders, creating opportunities for mentorship and inspiration for the upcoming generation.

This session features a presentation from West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick, Jr., to discuss his path into leadership, including challenges he faced and ways he overcame barriers.

“Kudos to FLOW for providing a space where professionals with varying experience levels can converse and intersect ideas for the edification of all participants,” Chief Riddick stated. “I am very excited to partake in this series!”

The discussion is hosted and sponsored by NBT Bank. “Since joining the West Hartford Chamber and serving on the Future Leaders of West Hartford committee, my team and I have actively participated in numerous local community events,” said NBT Bank West Hartford Branch Manager and 2024 Young Professional of the Year, Victor Gonzalez. “NBT’s dedication to community involvement is one of our core values, and it is a distinct privilege to host Chief Vernon Riddick, Jr. at our new NBT West Hartford branch. I regard Chief Riddick as not only a distinguished public servant, but also a mentor. Together, we share a deep commitment to serving the West Hartford community.”

FLOW is a committee of the West Hartford Chamber. Founded in 2017, this committee aims to promote the growth and success of the regions’ young professionals. Programs hosted by FLOW aim to further members’ social, philanthropic, and business development. Through events like happy hours, fundraisers, and community outreach projects, FLOW provides a platform to encourage and connect those early in their careers. In addition to creating their own events, FLOW works closely with the YP Collective.  This coalition of Young Professional groups from across the Hartford region partner in support and collaboration to provide our members with wider access to resources.

West Hartford Police Chief Vernon L. Riddick Jr. has been in public safety for 31 years, serving as the chief in West Hartford since 2018.  Prior to joining the West Hartford Police Department, he served 24 years in the City of Waterbury Police Department where he spent his last five years there as Chief. He began his career at the Ansonia Police Department in 1993. Riddick earned a Bachelor’s Degree in political science from Tufts University.  He attended Rutgers University Law School and earned his Master’s Degree in public administration from Post University. Riddick is a graduate of the 49th session of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute of Police. He is also a graduate of the 79th Session of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.

Riddick has worked in several capacities throughout his career including Emergency Response Team Commander, Field Training Officer, Union E-board, and Internal Affairs. He is a member of numerous boards and organizations including the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, Connecticut Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), where he was a former vice president, and as a member of the State of Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC). Lastly, Riddick is a deacon in his church, the president of the Connecticut Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and an adjunct instructor at the University of New Haven.

To attend, please register at https://bit.ly/LLSRiddick. For more information on FLOW, visit https://www.whchamber.com/flow-future-leaders-of-west-hartford/

For more information on the event or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kate Kobs, director of Development & Programs, at [email protected]

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