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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 24, 2026 23 Movers & Shakers Choose a better way to get your mortgage. Whether you're buying, building, or refinancing, your home financing journey should be clear, simple...even enjoyable. Our experienced mortgage team works with you at every step, with local loan decisions, a seamless closing process, and local loan servicing. We offer: Fixed & Adjustable-Rate Mortgage options, including Construction Financing First-Time Homebuyer Programs, including BetterWay Down Payment Assistance Special offers for Military & First Responders Flexible application—in person, online, or both Learn more and get started at westfieldbank.com/personal/mortgages Member FDIC 413.568.1911 | 860.838.3766 | 800.995.5734 | westfieldbank.com Kim Welch has joined Wooster Square Advisors, a New Haven-based investment manage- ment and wealth advisory firm, as a wealth manager. Welch brings experience advising high- and ultra-high- net-worth clients, with expertise in nonprofit organizations and trust services. She will work with clients on wealth management and financial planning strategies. Cal Connelly has joined Pat Munger Construction Co. as a construction solutions advisor, a newly created position. Connelly brings experience in business-to-business and direct sales in the construction, renewable energy and information technology sectors. At Pat Munger Construction Co., a Branford-based commercial construction manager and general contractor, he will work with owners and developers on project plan- ning, business development and design-build opportunities. Haley Sofiane has been named chair of the Connecticut Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, while five new members have joined the board. Sofiane is president of CareCentrix, a healthcare services company, and previously served as its chief oper- ating officer. She succeeds Francine LoRusso, who will remain on the Heart Association's board. The five new board members are Elizabeth DeVito, chief of staff for strategy and market intelligence at The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspec- tion and Insurance Co.; Dr. Christa Miliaresis, a pediatric cardiologist at Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Dr. Meghana Rao Brito, a cardiologist at Yale New Haven Heart and Vascular Center and director of the Women's Heart and Vascular Program at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital; Nicole DeMaio, vice pres- ident of business development at Downes Construction Co.; and Dr. Lisa M. Wren, senior cardiovascular therapeutic area specialist at Bristol Myers Squibb. Paul McLaughlin has joined Thomaston Savings Bank as assis- tant vice president and commercial loan officer. McLaughlin brings more than 35 years of banking experience serving commercial clients, including time at Hartford Federal Credit Union and Patriot Bank. He has served on the boards of the Oliver Wolcott Library, United Way of Northwest Connecticut and Litchfield Historical Society, and as pres- ident of the Litchfield Area Business Association. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Southern Connecticut State University and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Finance and Management and the National School of Banking. Marc Sylvain has been promoted to chief artificial intelligence officer at Liberty Bank, becoming the Middle- town-based bank's first executive to hold the role. Sylvain previously served as senior vice president of strategic planning and innovation, where he led initiatives including the implementation of Salesforce. Sylvain has more than 20 years of banking experience, including previous roles at TD Bank. He holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University and a bachelor's degree from McGill University. Dana M. Silva has been elected to the boards of Ion Financial MHC Inc. and Ion Bank, while Pamela Hippolyte has joined Ion Bank as vice presi- dent and community reinvestment mortgage advisor. Silva, who has more than 35 years of banking experience, currently serves as executive vice pres- ident, chief admin- istrative officer and corporate secretary at Ion Bank, a Naugatuck- based community bank with 32 branches in Connecticut and New Jersey. She joined the bank in 2012 and previously served as controller and chief accounting officer. Hippolyte most recently was assistant vice president and CRA community lending officer at Dime Bank. She brings more than 30 years of experience in affordable mortgage lending and first-time homebuyer programs and serves on the boards of the Urban League of Greater Hartford and several community housing organizations. Marc Sylvain Pamela Hippolyte Kim Welch Paul McLaughlin Dana Silva 2027 THE BEST PLACES TO WORK IN CONNECTICUT AWARDS HONOR COMPANIES WHO RANK HIGHEST IN EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION AS DETERMINED BY A SURVEY ADMINISTERED NATIONALLY. WINNERS WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN A SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL IN PRINT AND ONLINE AND RECOGNIZED AT AN AWARDS EVENT IN MARCH 2027. JOIN THE CELEBRATION 2027 NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN! JOIN THE CELEBRATION 2027 NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN! NOMINATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 2, 2026 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM/HBJ-EVENTS EVENT PARNTERS