West Hartford Chamber Elects Board, Celebrates Award Winners at Annual Meeting and Dinner
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Members of the Mandell family accept the Noah Webster Award on behalf of Andrew and Joyce Mandell of the Mandell Family Foundation.West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards ceremony on June 22, honoring 2026 award winners.
Laura Sheehan of Capital Classics received the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Award. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce recognized businesses and individuals who have had a major impact on the community at its annual dinner and awards ceremony, attended by several hundred people on Monday, June 22, 2026 at Town Hall.
The event returned to West Hartford this year after being held the past several years at venues owned by Chamber members in other towns – and the format was transformed to a culinary showcase featuring dishes from many of the town’s restaurants as well as specialty cocktails.
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor welcomed the guests and congratulated the award winners, noting that the Chamber represents the “fabric of the community.”
Chamber President and CEO Chris Conway, Membership & Development Director Kate Kobs, and Events & Communications Manager Jenn Frontiero shared some updates, including that this year the Chamber has welcomed 141 new members – and now has a total membership of 607 – and hosted 29 ribbon cuttings over the past year.
Mayor Shari Cantor. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Conway also shared an exciting development – the launch of the West Hartford Chamber Foundation. The new 501(c)(3) nonprofit is “dedicated to strengthening our community through education, workforce development, leadership initiatives, and community-based programs,” the website states. Chris Clarke, outgoing chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, will serve as inaugural chair of the Foundation’s Board.
Director of Membership & Development Kate Kobs. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
At the annual meeting portion of the event, new Board members and leadership positions were elected, including Chuck Coursey of Coursey & Co. as Board Chair, Rachel Stein of the Mandell JCC as 1st Vice Chairperson, Eric Bergenn of Bergenn Financial Group as 2nd Vice Chairperson, Jeff Brine as Legal Counsel, Brett Bushnell of CliftonLarsenAllen as Treasurer, and Christine Looby as Treasurer. Clarke will remain on the Executive Committee as immediate past president.
Rachel Stein (From left) Chuck Coursey and Chris Clarke. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“We had more nominations than ever before,” Conway said of the Spotlight and Beacon Awards.
Recipients of the Spotlight Awards included:
- Volunteer of the Year: Jamie Rice – JQR Capital
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Devonte Dillion – Dilligence Training & DT Cares
- Community Impact: West Hartford Fellowship Housing (accepted by Executive Director Mark Garilli)
- Rising Star of the Year: Allie Bellucci – Bellu Jean Creative
- Business of the Year: CT GI (accepted by Dr. Brisas Truncali)
- Legacy Business of the Year: Daley Moving & Storage (accepted by Gina and Jeffrey Bunch)
The prestigious Beacon Awards winners were also celebrated, including Laura Sheehan, co-founder and vice president of Capital Classics as the winner of the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Award for Women’s Leadership. “Introduced in 2022, this award honors the legacy of Elizabeth Gustin Basil, the Chamber’s first woman chairperson, who passed away in 2021. It recognizes outstanding women leaders making a difference in West Hartford,” the Chamber website states.
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Noah Webster Award this year was presented to Andrew and Joyce Mandell of the Mandell Family Foundation, and accepted by their three children. According to the Chamber, “established in 1989, this prestigious award is presented to an individual or business that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the Town of West Hartford and its community.”
Members of the Mandell family accept the Noah Webster Award on behalf of Andrew and Joyce Mandell of the Mandell Family Foundation.West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Each recipient had a few minutes to speak, and all shared their gratitude for the recognition. More information about each award recipient can be found in the images below.
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Colette Boncek of PeoplesBank. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Past Board Chair and Foundation Chair. Chris Clarke. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Board Chair Chuck Coursey. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Chamber President & CEO Chris Conway. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Events & Communications Manager Jenn Frontiero. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Jamie Rice was named Volunteer of the Year. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Devonte Dillion. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Mark Garilli, executive director of West Hartford Fellowship Housing. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Allie Bellucci of Bellu Jean Creative. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Dr. Brisas Truncali of Connecticut GI. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Jeffrey and Gina Bunch of Daley Moving and Storage. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Members of the Mandell family accept the Noah Webster Award on behalf of Andrew and Joyce Mandell of the Mandell Family Foundation. West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Spotlight Awards Ceremony. June 22, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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