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News Release

January 13, 2005

Community Foundation Elects New Officers & Directors

The Middlesex County Community Foundation has elected new officers and two new members to serve on its board of directors. Herbert T. Clark III was newly elected to serve as Board Chair. Clark, an Essex resident, is president of The Clark Group. He is a Founding Board Member of the Foundation and has served on the board of directors since the Foundation's inception in 1997. Also elected were: Jane Stokes McMillan, partner in the law firm of Howard and McMillan of Middletown as Board Vice-Chair; Patrick J. Crowley, Vice President - Administration of Infiltrator Systems, Inc. of Lyme as Treasurer; and Ralph H. Shaw II of Middletown as Secretary.

Newly elected to serve for three year terms were Marcia L. Kalayjian of Durham and David M. Royston of Old Saybrook. "We are delighted to have these committed community minded leaders join our efforts," stated Patti Anne Vassia, Community Foundation President. "These new members join a dedicated board that has given 100% support of time, energy and commitment to establishing our Foundation. We know Marcia and Dave will help us reach new audiences and grow the Foundation into a vital and significant grantmaker to benefit the people of the county."

Kalayjian is a community advocate and volunteer as well as co-owner of Lawton Fine Arts and Antiques of Madison. She has served in fund raising and leadership positions for many organizations including the Durham Public Library, the Middlesex Hospital, the Northern Middlesex YMCA and the Wadsworth Athenaeum. A lover of flowers and gardening, she has actively supported activities of the Garden Club of America, the Durham Garden Club and the Middletown Garden Club to beautify the area and raise funds for charitable purposes. She has served on many boards, committees and event planning groups that have provided positive benefit to the community. She received the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award in 2002.

Royston is a Principal and serves as President of the Dzialo, Pickett and Allen Law Firm which has offices in Middletown and Old Saybrook. Royston practices primarily in the areas of real estate, municipal and land use law. He has been Town Counsel to the Town of Essex since 1973. He also represents the Old Lyme Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning and Zoning Commissions of Chester, Deep River and Clinton. He is a member and Past President of the Middlesex County Bar Association. He is a former member and Chairman of the Old Saybrook Democratic Town Committee. He served many years on the Middlesex United Way Board of Directors and as Campaign Chair. He is a recipient of the United Way's Community Service Award.

Board members serving as committee chairs for 2005 were announced as Joseph G. Lombardo, Audit Committee; David Preston, Development Committee; Patrick J. Crowley, Finance Committee; Robert L. Kirkpatrick, Jr. Grants Committee; Marcia W. Bromberg, Investment Committee; Willard McRae, Standards Review Committee; Sari A. Rosenbaum, Fund for Women & Girls Committee and Jane Stokes McMillan, Swaim Arts Committee. Members continuing to serve on the Board and committees include: Liz Petry, Susan Merrow and Joan S. Youngs.

The Middlesex County Community Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Middlesex County. The Foundation assists donors meet their philanthropic objectives through the creation of restricted and unrestricted endowments. Income from these endowments is used to award grants to charitable organizations that have a positive impact on our community. The Foundation also works cooperatively with other funders and non-profits to enhance philanthropy and improve conditions in the county. Since its founding in 1997, Middlesex County Community Foundation has provided over $500,000 in grants to more than 100 local organizations for the arts; cultural and heritage programs; educational activities; environmental improvements; and for health and human services. For more information call 347-0025 or .

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