Community Foundation of Greater New Britain Elects Three New Members to the Board of Directors

 J. Leo Gagne, Laurence A. Tanner and Patricia M. Walden Each Join the CFGNB Board of Directors

New Britain, Conn. (June 21, 2010) – The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) recently elected three new members to the Board of Directors all of whom bring a wealth of experience in both the business arena and local community issues to the organization. 

J. Leo Gagne, Chief Executive Financial Officer, Tomasso Brothers Inc brings expertise in the areas of project management and financial planning to the CFGNB Board.  He is actively involved with the New Britain YMCA, the Shuttle Meadow Country Club, the Hospital of Central Connecticut, the New Britain Boys & Girls Club and has served on the CFGNB’s Building Committee for the past two years. He is a University of Connecticut graduate and longtime resident of the Greater New Britain community. Gagne resides in Kensington with wife Diane.  The couple has two grown daughters.  Gagne describes his interest in serving on the Board saying, “The connection for me with the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain came about through my involvement with the YMCA.  I’ve been active with the Y for many years and have witnessed the wonderful benefits it provides our community.  The CFGNB has supported the YMCA with funding in the past, so I also became aware of their vital role within our community to assist those organizations that are doing good work.  I’m a firm believer in giving back, so I was pleased and proud to have this opportunity to support the Community Foundation knowing that it has been supportive of the YMCA and so many other key programs that benefit the Greater New Britain area.”

Laurence A. Tanner, President, Capital Area Health Consortium, has lead an illustrative career in the field of Public Health including posts as President and CEO of Bristol Hospital, New Britain General Hospital and CenConn Health Consortium among others.  His long list of volunteer positions within the Greater New Britain community includes the New Britain/Berlin YMCA, the Hospital for Special Care, the Connecticut Hospital Association, The American Savings Foundation and many more.  Tanner has served for the several years on the CFGNB’s Audit Committee. Tanner has his B.S. from the University of Rhode Island and his MPH from Yale University. He and his wife Janis reside in West Hartford. They have three grown children. “I’m delighted to be part of the CFGNB Board of Directors.  Through my years of involvement with this organization, I have witnessed the impact the Community Foundation has by connecting the dots between those who need help and those who want to help.  Especially in these challenging economic times, making that connection is critical.  I look forward to offering my expertise and assistance,” explains Tanner.

Patricia M. Walden, Vice President, Central Connecticut Senior Health Services, found her calling working in the field of senior care through a position as a nursing assistant at an inner-city nursing home while at Southern Connecticut State University earning her degree in Education.  Having worked at numerous healthcare centers and nursing homes during her career, Walden opened Southington Care Center in 1990 as its first executive director.   She has played a key role in the development of a senior care continuum in Connecticut known as Central Connecticut Senior Health Services which is affiliated with The Hospital of Central Connecticut. Walden served on Secretary Tommy Thompson’s Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform in 2002.   In 2005, she was selected as Humanitarian of the Year by the CT Association of Not-for-Profit Providers of Services for the Aged and was also the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award from the YMCA of Southington and Cheshire. Walden serves on the boards of several organizations including the Connecticut Association of Not-for-Profit Facilities for the Aged, the Connecticut Alliance for Long-Term Care and the Southington-Cheshire YMCA.  She is an active member of the Southington Rotary Club and the American College of Health Care Administrators.   She and husband, George Gorecki, reside in Southington. They have three grown children.  Walden states, "It's truly a pleasure to be joining the Community Foundation's Board of Directors.  This is a wonderful opportunity to serve with others who share a common vision and commitment to making a difference in our communities.  Over the years the Foundation has helped countless seniors and their loved ones through support for many innovations and resources for people of all ages in our communities.  This is my way of saying thanks and helping to keep that flame burning for others."