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22 Hartford Business Journal • January 18, 2016 www.HartfordBusiness.com OF NOTE PIRRO TO LEAD AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANTS Erin Pirro was recently elected president of the Minnesota-based American Society of Agricultural Consultants at the organization's annual meeting. Pirro, from Farm Credit East in Enfield, is a certified agricultural consultant. She holds an undergraduate degree in resource economics and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Connecticut. She received her certified agricul- ture consultant designation in 2014. • • • WEBSTER EARNS FOUR EAGLE AWARDS FROM SBA Webster Bank and its partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration have been honored with four 2015 SBA Eagle Awards. The bank was honored as lender of the year by dollar vol- ume, top third party lender of the year, top lender to veterans, and top lender for job creation and retention. The awards were announced at the Connecticut District Office of the SBA's annual lenders and part- ners meeting in New Haven. Pictured (from left) are Robert H. Nelson, acting SBA district director for Connecticut; Annette Larabee, senior vice president, business banking at Webster; Holly Campo de la Vera, vice president, SBA relations manager at Webster; Bob Polito; Joanne L. Miller, vice president, SBA relationship manager at Webster; and Seth Goodall, SBA New England regional administrator. • • • CONNECTICUT RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION NAMES RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR The Connecticut Restaurant Association held their annual Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner in December at Mohegan Sun, honoring many of Connecticut's restaurants, caterers, chefs and mixologists. Over 400 people attended. This year's awards dinner recognized Dish Restaurant Group as the 2015 Restaurateur of the Year. Dish Restaurant Group owns Dish Restaurant and Sorella in Hartford, and Dish 'n Dat in Canton. • • • ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION NAMES 2015 WOMEN CHAMPIONS Pamela Atwood and Amina Weiland of West Hartford-based Hebrew Healthcare's Dementia Care Services department were recently named part of the 2015 inaugural class of the Alzheimer's Association's Women Champions in the fight to end Alzheimer's dis- ease. Atwood and Weiland are both certified-dementia practitioners and dementia capable care providers, and in recognition of their contri- butions, they have been asked to join a group of women to launch the first "Champions in the Fight to End Alzheimer's Women's Campaign." Please Note: All electronic submissions for Accolades should be sent to news@HartfordBusiness.com. For more information about the Hartford Business Journal's Accolades Page, please visit www.HartfordBusiness.com. ▶ ▶ Robinson+Cole lawyers and staff members recently participated in Junior Achievement Day at Parkville Community School in Hartford. This was the firm's 11th time volunteering. Nine volunteers taught more than 130 students in kindergarten through second grade a JA-developed curriculum focused on promoting financial literacy and developing good life skills. Volunteers used compelling stories, along with hands-on activities, to demonstrate the concepts of helping, working, earning and saving. Pictured (from left) are Gabriela Arias; Linda L. Morkan; Theresa L. Curran; Christine E. Bromberg; Alaine C. Doolan; Gerald P. Dwyer; Michele Sexton; Christine Graesser; and Scott M. Baird. ▶ ▶ Members of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA) continued their 11-year holiday tradition of collecting toys for Connecticut's Operation ELF (Embracing Lonely Families) program. Attendees to CFDA's convention at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell donated unwrapped toys, gift cards and funds. The program assists the families of Connecticut National Guard soldiers and airmen who are deployed during the holidays, and provides a wide range of support to military families throughout the year. Pictured (from left) are: Howard K. Hill, Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, CFDA president; Nicole Paquette, Carmon Community Funeral Homes; John Cascio, CFDA executive director; and Stephen M. King, Mystic Funeral Home. QUEST GLOBAL SERVICES DESIGN COMPETITION BENEFITS FOOD BANK ROBINSON+COLE LAWYERS, STAFF VOLUNTEER WITH JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT CT FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION DONATES TOYS TO CHILDREN ▶ ▶ Employees from Quest Global Services in Windsor held an employee-design competition to collect food for the Windsor Food Bank. They collected 800 pounds of food for people in need. The Windsor Food Bank is a nonprofit that raises funds for the town of Windsor's social services programs. The Food Bank is open four days a week and provides supplemental food assistance to Windsor residents in need. Erin Pirro receives president's gavel from Norm Brown. ACCOLADES & MORE