Submitted by Sierra Lopez.
MIDDLETOWN, CT — The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Maureen P. Westbrook, President of Connecticut Water Company, is the new Chairwoman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Her one-year term begins on July 1, 2021.
“The past year has presented many challenges to the residents and businesses of Middlesex County. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce adapted to the challenges and in many ways increased the resources and support for its members at a time when it was sorely needed,” stated Ms. Westbrook. She added, “I look forward to working with the chamber’s board and leadership to build on that success and continue serving the business community.”
According to Larry McHugh, President of the Middlesex Chamber, “Maureen is an accomplished and well respected leader in the business community and at the state capitol. She has been actively engaged with the chamber as a member of the Board, the Executive Committee and co-chair of the legislative committee. As the President of Connecticut Water Company, she knows the issues facing business leaders and the workforce and recognizes the critical role of businesses in maintaining the quality of life for our communities and the State of Connecticut.”
Westbrook shared, “I am honored to serve and eager to work with the talented team at the Middlesex Chamber in this role to help businesses across the county grow and succeed. Larry McHugh is such a strong advocate for the business community and the Chamber Vice Presidents, Johanna Bond and Jeff Pugliese, and their teams are executing on the strategy for its members.” Westbrook further noted, “We will continue our focus on tourism which is an important economic driver for the state and on workforce development to provide a pipeline of talent needed for businesses. The Chamber team is ready to leverage the learnings from our virtual offerings this past year and pivot to meet the needs of our members going forward.”
Westbrook succeeds Tom Byrne, President of Connecticut Rental Centers, as Chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. Both McHugh and Westbrook thanked Byrne for his service over the past year and his incredible leadership of the Chamber through these uniquely challenging times. They further commended the many dedicated board members who work to support businesses throughout Middlesex County and contribute to the success of the Chamber.
Westbrook has been with Connecticut Water Company for more than 30 years. She began her career at Connecticut Water as a manager of source water protection and advanced through the organization to become President in 2019, the first woman in Connecticut Water’s 65-year history. She has been in leadership positions in various water industry professional associations and served as the Chair of the Westbrook Board of Education and other volunteer capacities in her community.
