The Connecticut Chapter of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators awarded Robert Voets, an assistant vice president at Naugatuck Savings Bank, its 2013 Investigator of the Year Award recently. Voets, a West Haven resident, was honored for his role in identifying commercial businesses in Cheshire and Seymour that had been compromised in a series of network hacking cases. Voets is a 27-year veteran of the West Haven Police Department who joined Naugatuck Savings Bank in 2008. He is the bank’s assistant vice president for financial crimes and director of corporate security. During his career with the West Haven police, Voets was a founding member of the department’s Computer and Technology Forensic Crimes Unit and Fraud Division. ‘Bob is a tremendous asset to Naugatuck Savings Bank and an industry resource on fraud investigations,” said Charles Boulier III, the bank’s president and chief executive officer. “We appreciate his commitment to fighting financial crime and are pleased he is part of our team.’ –CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler Dave Perugini presents a $1,000 donation to Naugatuck High School Grad Nite committee member Tom Louth recently. The donation was made through the Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant Program. –CONTRIBUTED
Four $1,250 scholarships, provided by a grant from AT&T Foundation to the Connecticut Community Foundation for the purpose of funding STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) scholarships for Naugatuck High School students, were awarded to Sarah Chandler, Samantha Hilse, Angelina DeRosa and Evangelina DeRosa June 24 at the school. State Rep. Rosa Rebimbas (R-70) joined representatives from the AT&T Foundation and the Connecticut Community Foundation to present the scholarships. ‘I am honored to have had the opportunity provided by the AT&T Foundation through Mr. Kinson Perry to direct these funds to deserving Naugatuck High School students,’ said Rebimbas an alumnus of NHS. Paula Van Ness, president of the Connecticut Community Foundation, said ‘In today’s competitive market place, it’s important that our students are prepared with the tools they need for success.’ Kinson Perry, director external and legislative affairs for AT&T Connecticut added, ‘AT&T is proud to support organizations like the Connecticut Community Foundation that are committed to providing students with the opportunities and skills necessary to compete and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.’ Pictured from left, Naugatuck High School Principal Jan Saam, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Brigitte Crispino, Chandler, Hilse, DeRosa, DeRosa, Josh Carey, director of grants management for the Connecticut Community Foundation (back), Rebimbas and Perry. –CONTRIBUTED
USA Martial Arts students Nate DiMatteo and Kathleen Robinson were promoted to the rank of Apprentice Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Karate on June 20. –CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck resident Joan McCasland, a third-grade teacher at Chatfield-LoPresti Elementary School in Seymour, was named Seymour Teacher of the Year for 2012-13. McCasland is pictured with her children Zoey and Zachary. –CONTRIBUTED
Joseph Corona, owner and funeral director of Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, was recognized at the summer meeting of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association for his dedicated service as a licensed funeral director in Connecticut for 26 years. Corona said he has been honored to serve families in Prospect, Naugatuck and surrounding communities throughout this time while working at Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Homes and now as an owner of Prospect Memorial Funeral Home. –CONTRIBUTED
Kaylea Grandpre, 14 of Naugatuck, won the Branford on the Green amateur singing contest June 16. –CONTRIBUTED
Naugatuck Savings Bank has named David Rotatori executive vice president. Rotatori will continue to serve the bank as chief financial officer, chief risk officer and corporate secretary. ‘We are fortunate to have David in these roles,’ said Charles Boulier III, president and CEO of Naugatuck Savings Bank. ‘David’s extensive accounting, finance and auditing experience in the financial services industry will enable him to ensure the continuation of efficient and effective governance of our business. His leadership and experience will strengthen us for years to come.’ –CONTRIBUTED
Six local high school graduates were awarded $2,000 Camille B. Perugini Charitable Trust Memorial Scholarships on June 19 at Jesse Camille’s Restaurant in Naugatuck. Pictured, from left, Wolcott High School graduates Nicholas Velezis and Victoria Russo, attorney Carla M. Perugini-Erickson, Naugatuck High School graduates Alexis Simmons and Ryan Massicotte and Woodland High School graduate Ian Chamenko. Not pictured scholarship recipient Christian Parafati of Wolcott High School. The scholarship trust was created in memory of Camille B. Perugini, who was a graduate of the Boston College School of Education. To date, the scholarship committee has awarded 130 scholarships to area high school students. The total amount awarded since the scholarships’ inception in 1998 exceeds $178,000. –CONTRIBUTED
The Overlook Blacksox U8 team was crowned state champions of the Roberto Clemente baseball division recently at Municipal Stadium. They beat out Watertown, Cheshire, and Prospect to win the title and advance to the North Atlantic Regionals. Pictured, top row from left, manager Orlando Ortiz, assistant coach Darren Gasperri, assistant coach Mike Minervino, assistant coach Matt Bessette and coach Mike Brown. Middle row from left, Evan Swanson of Naugatuck, Vincent Borghese, Christian Watson, Jeremy Ortiz of Naugatuck, Ryan Delmonte, Mikey Deitelbaum of Naugatuck and Vinny Santopietro. Front row from left, Isiah Shaw, Logan Bessette, Logsn Brown, Andres Effes and Darren Gasparri of Prospect. –CONTRIBUTED
Donald Stabile of Naugatuck was honored by Saint Mary’s Hospital at its Annual Volunteer Recognition Reception April 25 for 1,000 hours of service as volunteers. The event celebrated the continued dedication and commitment of Saint Mary’s 115 active volunteers, who together contributed 19,000 hours of volunteer service this past year. More than 80 volunteers, managers and administrators attended the event, which was held in celebration of National Volunteer Week. -CONTRIBUTED
USA Martial Arts students Nate DiMatteo and Kathleen Robinson were promoted to the rank of Apprentice Black Belt in Tang Soo Do Karate on June 20. –CONTRIBUTED
