Young Professionals of Waterbury Region CEO Speakers Series on Feb. 24

Y.P.O.W.R. – Young Professionals of Waterbury Region - To Host Final Program on February 24^th in Their 4^th Annual “Influential Business: CEO Speakers Series”

The Waterbury Regional Chamber’s Y.P.O.W.R. – Young Professionals of Waterbury Region – will host the final program in their annual three- part “Influential Business CEO Speaker Series” titled “The Past, The Present and The Future of Family Businesses.” Program attendees are capitalizing on the rare opportunity to directly engage with three longstanding and dedicated family business leaders in the greater Waterbury community.

The series began Friday, January 13, 2017, with speaker Frank Monteiro, chief operating officer of MacDermid Performance Solutions in Waterbury. On Friday, January 27 the series continued with speaker Virginia O’Rourke Cookson, owner of O’Rourke & Birch Florist, Inc. in Waterbury. On Friday, February 24, the series will conclude with a keynote speaker presentation by Carmen Romeo, president of Fascia’s Chocolates in Waterbury, at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown at 63 Grand Street from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. 

MacDermid Performance Solutions COO Frank Monteiro spoke to a packed room of fascinated attendees on January 13^th. He articulated how the company has always been a ‘happy family’ within itself and there are “no formalities, titles, or barriers to all employees knowing each other.” Highly-respected for their extensive contributions to United Way and other non-profit organizations within the Waterbury region, Mr. Monteiro pride-fully commented, “When our employees leave their offices at 5:00 p.m. each day, they are not going home. They are going to meetings for non-profit organizations where they serve on committees and boards. We all want to be giving members to the Waterbury community.”

During her January 27^th Y.P.O.W.R. CEO Series keynote speech, presenter Virginia “Ginny” O’Rourke Cookson, owner and president of O’Rourke & Birch Florist Inc. in Waterbury, spoke to approximately 50 attendees of the company’s current celebration of being in continual business for the past 94 years. Ms. O’Rourke-Cookson spoke of how O’Rourke & Birch Florist is Waterbury’s only family-founded and continuously-family-owned floral business. The floral business has received nationally-prestigious recognition as an elite, top-quality FTD Master Florist, making it one of only eight florists in Connecticut to receive this unique distinction. In 2013, the business also accomplished notable status as being a nationally-recognized Vera Wang Wedding floral designer. Silver Sponsor of Ms. O’Rourke Cookson’s Y.P.O.W.R. speaking presentation was the Waterbury Exchange Club.

The February 24^th Y.P.O.W.R. CEO Series speaker, Carmen Romeo, president of Fascia’s Chocolates, was born and raised in Waterbury, graduated from Wilby High School and then Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Electrical Engineering.  During his corporate tenure, he worked with General Electric, Simplex Time Recorder, SimplexGrinnell organization. E-Lite Technologies, a spin-off of Timex Corp and Bergquist Torrington Company. In 2009, the engineer-turned-chocolatier joined his wife Louise's family business, Fascia's Chocolates. Under his leadership, Fascia's Chocolates has become a tourist destination in addition to making gelato and baked goods as a compliment to their premium chocolates. 

The mission of Y.P.O.W.R. is to energize young professionals aged 21 to 39 who are looking to grow their careers in the Waterbury area by engaging them in positive opportunities for professional development, educational, social, and community service.

The February 24^th Y.P.O.W.R CEO Series program will be held 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown Waterbury at 63 Grand Street. The event is open to Y.P.O.W.R. and Waterbury Regional Chamber members, and the general public.

Costs are $15/session for Y.P.O.W.R. members; $20/session for Waterbury Regional Chamber members; and $25/event for not-yet Y.P.O.W.R. members. To register, visit www.ypowr.org, or email to info@ypowr.org or call 203-757-0701.