05/29/2026
What a wonderful evening celebrating the incredible people who make Northeastern Connecticut such a special place to live, work, and do business!
The 2026 Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala was a heartfelt night recognizing eight outstanding leaders and organizations whose dedication, service, and impact continue to strengthen our region.
Congratulations to our 2026 honorees:
Civic Achievement Award β Jay Long of Hilb Group Putnam - formerly Gerardi Insurance Services, George Racine Sr. Humanitarian Award β Patricia Buell of Brooklyn Cares Community Center, Gold Key Award β Lindsey & Jason Verraneault of NorthStar Home Loans, LLC, Community Champion Award β Wayne Norman of Hall Communications Good Company WILI 1400 & 95.3, Business Leader of the Year β Michael L. Alberts of Jewett City Savings Bank, Non-Profit of the Year β The Arc Eastern Connecticut, Emerging Leader of the Year β Maria Thomas of bankHometown β¨
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating these remarkable individuals and organizations. Special thanks to The Mansion at Bald Hill and their incredible staff, Destination Event Co for the music, photo booth, and fun, Mountain Laurel Floral Designs CT for the beautiful floral arrangements, Senator Mae Flexer, our 2026 Chamber President Amy Brunet, Awards Gala Committee Chair and evening emcee Gene Michael Deary, our dedicated committee members and volunteers, and all of our sponsors whose support makes events like this possible!
Most importantly, thank you to our honorees for the countless ways you give back to our communities and help make Northeastern Connecticut a better place for all β€οΈ
π·: WildFlower Photography