Two members of the Rotary Club of West Hartford have been appointed for high-ranking positions in the district organization.

The Rotary Club of West Hartford’s 2016-2017 Board of Directors, from left (back row): John Smeallie, Eileen Rau, Tom Wood, Robert J. Kor, Christine Looby, and Kyle Egress. (Front row): Donna Griffen, Susan Chandler. Photo credit: Cindy Lang, Cynthia R. Lang Photography

Submitted

At its Club Awards/Installation Dinner on June 21 at Pond House Café, The Rotary Club of West Hartford announced its new slate of directors, bestowed several awards, and reflected on an outstanding year of service locally and internationally.

Robert J. Kor, Esq., of West Hartford was appointed Club President; Donna Griffen, President Elect; John Smeallie, Vice President; Tom Wood, Treasurer; Susan Chandler, Sergeant-at-Arms; Christine Looby, Director-at-Large (Public Relations); and Eileen Rau, Director-at-Large (Foundation Representative;) and Kyle W. Egress, Immediate Past President. Appointments became effective July 1.

New Club President Bob Kor acknowledged at this meeting that David Mangs and Hap Leabman, both of West Hartford, were appointed District Governor Elect and Assistant District Governor, respectively, for Rotary International’s District 7890 effective July 1, 2016.

Bob is a lifelong resident of West Hartford and has a long history of community service. Following law school, he became a VISTA volunteer at Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) in Hartford, CT and remained as a staff attorney and general counsel for the next 20 years. At NLS, his caseload responsibilities included the areas of housing and employment discrimination.  Since February 1997, Bob has been in private practice. He has an active trial and appellate practice in the areas of civil rights (employment, housing, public accommodation, and police misconduct), personal injury, landlord–tenant, family and juvenile, criminal (Part B), and consumer/unfair trade law. Bob represents lawyers accused of violating the Rules of Professional Conduct. Bob is also an experienced appellate advocate. He serves as a Fact-Finder/Arbitrator/Attorney Trial Referee for the Judicial District of Hartford (1983 – Present). He has previously served on the Statewide Grievance Committee (1996 – 2003) and been a Small Claims Court Commissioner (1981 – 1994). He is a member of the CT Bar Association, Hartford County Bar Association, and the CT Employment Lawyers Association.

Dr. Rhona C. Free, President of the University of Saint Joseph, was inducted as the Club’s newest member.  Susan Chandler of Newington received the “Rotarian of the Year” Award.  Josh Cantor, Cindy Lang, and Dana Gordon, all of West Hartford, received Paul Harris Awards for their exemplary service. Long-time Rotarian Robert Kiely of West Hartford received honorary membership rights and privileges.