PEOPLE
Brandon Donahue, owner of Westerly Paints Inc. in Westerly, and Mystic Paint & Decorating in Mystic, was recently named one of the independent home improvement industry’s eight 2022 Young Retailer of the Year honorees by the North American Hardware and Paint Association. The Young Retailer of the Year program recognizes individual achievement by industry retailers age 35 and younger throughout the U.S. and Canada. Donahue has worked at Westerly Paints since he was a child, and after graduating from Rhode Island College, he took over operations from his father. Since taking over as owner, Donahue transitioned the store to a Benjamin Moore “Signature Store” and then to a “Store of the Future.” Donahue stays active in his community through the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. In 2021, he donated a van to the organization to use for events it hosts, and he and his father organized a celebration for Westerly’s 350th anniversary that had over 10,000 people in attendance. In 2014, Benjamin Moore hosted its Main Street Matters campaign, which awarded 20 towns across the United States and Canada by painting those downtown areas for free. Donahue is part of a band and volunteered his group to perform at a downtown event to raise money for the Bricks and Murals project.
Linda Riquier of Windham has joined the Southeastern Connecticut Chapter of SCORE as a volunteer, leading the chapter’s community outreach efforts in Windham County. SCORE is nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration that offers free, confidential advice and educational resources to small-business owners. Southeastern Connecticut SCORE serves small businesses in New London and Middlesex Counties. Riquier will now focus on Windham County. For more information, visit www.sect.score.org.
WORKSHOPS
SCORE will host:
“Fundamentals for Starting Your Business” Session #1: “What’s the Big Idea?”, Tuesday, April 5, noon to 1:30 p.m., Zoom.
“How to Start & Run a Successful Non-Profit,” co-Hosted by The Public Library of New London, presenter SCORE counselor Bob Potter, Wednesday, April 27, 1-2:30 p.m., Zoom.
For more information, contact Anne Driscoll at [email protected].
NETWORKING
The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut will host a Business After Hours and Ribbon Cutting event at The Light House Homestead and Stables, New London County’s newest disability services facility, on April 27. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/events.
Dr. Raja Mangipudy, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Drug Safety Research and Development, Groton Site Director at Pfizer, will provide an overview April 27 and update Pfizer’s latest work on the COVID-19 vaccine and therapies. Register at www.ChamberECT.com/events or 860-701-9113.
EVENT
TheDay.Jobs Jobs Fair will be held Wednesday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa. Job seekers can register for free at www.theday.com/jobfair. More than 50 employers will participate. The job fair is sponsored by The Day, in partnership with the Groton Public Library, Hall Communications, American Job Center, the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and Human Resource Leadership Association.
In addition, a free seminar, “Resumes: Basics & Beyond,” will be hosted by the Groton Public Library. Resume review and job seeker tips will be provided by the Groton Public Library and American Job Center. Interview coaching (for virtual and in-person interviews) will be offered by the Human Resource Leadership Association. The state Department of Labor Veterans Unit and Business Services Representatives will be available to discuss available support.
Send your business news to [email protected].
