The advisory group will guide and assist Milford business in reopening
The City of Milford announces the “Reopen Milford Advisory Group,” an advisory panel tasked with developing recommendations and guidelines in anticipation of the re-opening of certain businesses following two months of statewide closures due to the new coronavirus outbreak. In order to offer continuity and consistency with state and local mandates, we have established the “Reopen Milford Advisory Group.” The mission of the group is to safely reopen industry in Milford by:
- Communication
Elicit information from various industries & provide information to those industries on state & local mandates
- Key Business Sectors & Stakeholders
Assemble key industry sectors and participants through sub-working industry specific sectors
- Plan
The group will plan a safe reopening for Milford to include marketing, strategy, and confidence in the marketplace
Deliverable
Path to Reopening in three phases
1. 50% Reopen
2. 75% Reopen
3.100% Reopen
Julie Nash, Economic Development Director, along with Pam Staneski, Executive Director of the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, will serve as liaisons and administrators. The group is responsible for creating sectors and placing the appropriate parties in sub-groups of those sectors. The advisory group will work with various industries on guidelines and orders to reopen safely.
The group will cover things like:
- Bringing employees back to work
- Potential new business models
- Work from home
- Supply chain
- Utilities
- Offer resources and connections
- A plan to provide confidence in the marketplace
- Corporate values
- Legislative priorities
- Corporate responsibility & community
- Tourism
Industry Leaders
Manufacturing
John Schuld, Swistek Machinery America
Born and raised in Milford, John Schuld has been part of the manufacturing industry his whole life. After getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Arizona State University, John returned to Connecticut and began his career in machinery sales for Rudel Machinery working side by side with manufacturers as big as Sikorsky and Medtronic as well as smaller local shops. Big or small, John worked with all his clients to help them select the best tools and machinery to efficiently get the job done. After 10 years of machine sales, John decided to go out on his own and started ISMS Machinery Sales in 2004. Then, in 2009, he started Swistek Machinery America located right here in Milford, CT, where he imports and sells his own brand of Swiss Type CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machines all over North America as well as supplying all the tools and accessories required to run a machine shop. More recently, John has become a strong advocate for getting young people involved in manufacturing. When John isn’t at the office or home spending time with his wife and his two children, he can be found fishing at local beaches, playing golf and basketball around town, or enjoying a meal at Stonebridge, Lasse’s, or River Street Restaurant.
Ken Sterba, CRRP, Centennial
Ken began his Retail Property Management career here in Milford when he was named the Assistant General Manager at Westfield Connecticut Post in 2006, where he had been residing for six years. In 2017, Ken returned to the Connecticut Post Mall as the General Manager after stints at Westfield Trumbull and Westfield Meriden. While in Meriden, Ken served on the Board of Directors for the Midstate Chamber of Commerce from 2013 through 2017. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Ken earned his B.A. from Bowling Green State University. Ken, his wife Patrycja and their 3 kids currently reside in Derby.
Healthcare
Dr. Clifford Kramer, MD
Dr. Kramer has lived in Milford 35 years and maintains a cardiology practice in town affiliated with The Hartford Heart and Vascular Group.
Past president Milford Hospital medical staff, Chief of Cardiology Milford Hospital 1995-2019, Assistant Clinical Professor Yale University School of Medicine.
Financial
Robert Creigh, VP, Patriot Bank
Robert has been in retail banking for almost 30 years, and he is one of Patriot Bank’s most tenured branch employees. His long career in banking has included roles as Investment Specialist, Mortgage Loan Office and Branch Management. Robert has assisted many small business owners with the type of financing they need to grow and prosper. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Haven and has lived in Milford for the last 25 years.
Restaurants
Elena Fusco, Owner and Founder of Bin 100 Restaurant
Elena has been the owner-operator of Bin 100 Restaurant since 2007. She has more than 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry. Elena is a Director of the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Milford Restaurant Council. Elena maintains a membership with the Connecticut Restaurant Association.
Real Estate
Al Franke, President, Advisra
Mr. Franke is responsible for driving the overall valuation and brokerage business strategy within Advisra. His personal valuation practice involves complex and high-value real estate in a litigation setting, including expert witness testimony. He has over 30 years of real estate industry experience. Mr. Franke’s appraisal and consulting practice is litigation-centric, focusing on property tax assessment appeal matters, diminution in value and stigma, impact studies and litigation support, including expert testimony. His appraisal experience involves commercial, residential, industrial, special purpose and open space properties. Mr. Franke also serves on Milford’s Economic Development Commission.
Mayor Blake Representatives
Deepa Joseph, Director of Health
Julie Nash, Director of Economic & Community Development
Justin Rosen, Chief of Staff
Pam Staneski, Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce