Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Announces Kelly Bellavance as New Executive Director

NORTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT — The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Kelly Bellavance has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director. Bellavance brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, leadership, relationship building, small business ownership, and community involvement to the role.

Bellavance was selected following a comprehensive search and interview process led by the Chamber’s hiring committee and Board of Directors. A Brooklyn resident, local small business owner, and active member of the region’s business community, Bellavance brings both an impressive professional background and a strong connection to Northeastern CT. Her experience in leadership, relationship building, event management, and community engagement will help guide the Chamber as it continues its work supporting businesses across the 23 towns it serves.

Bellavance spent more than two decades working in college admissions, including nearly 16 years as Associate Director of Admission at Boston College. Throughout her career, she led recruitment initiatives, managed teams, built relationships with schools and community partners, and coordinated large scale events and programs with thousands of attendees.

Bellavance is also no stranger to organizational leadership. She served as President of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) and held numerous other leadership roles within the organization during her career in higher education.

Her experience also extends directly into Northeastern Connecticut’s small business community. In 2022, Bellavance and her husband opened Stoneledge Inn in Brooklyn, transforming an 1870s farmhouse into a bed and breakfast that they owned and operated. She has served as Secretary of the Brooklyn Business Association since 2023, sits on the Board of Directors for the Brooklyn Cares Community Center, and has been involved with the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce since 2022.

“Kelly brings a wonderful combination of leadership experience, business knowledge, and genuine commitment to Northeastern Connecticut,” said Amy Brunet, President of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “Throughout the interview process, it was clear that she understands the importance of relationships and community in the work of the Chamber. We are excited to welcome Kelly and confident she will continue building on the Chamber’s momentum while bringing her own ideas and leadership to the organization.”

The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce serves 23 towns across the region, connecting businesses, communities, and resources to support a strong and thriving Northeastern Connecticut economy. Through monthly networking events, educational programs, legislative and advocacy events, marketing opportunities, and community partnerships, the Chamber works to support, promote, and strengthen the businesses and nonprofit organizations that make up our region.

“I am so excited to welcome Kelly into this role,” said Elle Sherman, outgoing Executive Director. “From the beginning of this process, Kelly’s genuine commitment to our community really stood out. She understands small business because she has lived it, and she has spent her career building relationships, leading teams, and bringing people together. I am excited to work alongside her during this transition and know the Chamber will be in great hands as Kelly leads it into its next chapter.”

“Northeastern Connecticut has truly become home for me and my family, which makes the opportunity to serve this community in a new way incredibly meaningful,” said Kelly Bellavance. “I’ve experienced this region as a resident, a small business owner, and an active member of our local business community, and I’ve seen how much pride people have in this place. I’m excited to listen, learn, get to know our members across all 23 towns, and build on the great work already happening here. It feels a little bit like coming home to a role that brings together so many parts of my professional and personal experience.”

Bellavance will train alongside Sherman throughout September, allowing for a month-long transition before Sherman’s final day as Executive Director on September 30.

To learn more about the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, its mission, events, and members, visit nectchamber.com or follow the Chamber on Facebook and Instagram.

Generations Family Health Center Earns Seven National HRSA Quality Awards, Including Highest Honor for Clinical Excellence

Willimantic, CT, August 6, 2026 — Generations Family Health Center is proud to announce it has been recognized by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) with seven Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) and Compliance Badges for its outstanding commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care.

Leading the honors is the Gold Health Center Quality Leader Badge, HRSA’s highest quality recognition, awarded to health centers ranking among the top 10 percent nationwide for overall clinical quality performance. Generations Family Health Center was one of only two health centers in Connecticut to receive this prestigious recognition and earned the highest number of HRSA quality badges of any health center in the state.

In addition to the Gold Health Center Quality Leader Badge, Generations received individual National Quality awards in the following categories: Behavioral Health, Diabetes Health, Heart  Health, Preventive Health, High Risk Value Care and Health Information Technology for Quality.

These national recognitions reflect Generations’ excellence in delivering evidence-based, comprehensive care that improves patient outcomes through preventive care, chronic disease management, behavioral health integration, and the effective use of health information technology.

“This recognition is a direct reflection of the dedication, compassion, and hard work of every member of our organization,” said Danielle Digieronimo, Chief Operating Officer of Generations Family Health Center. “Whether they are providing direct patient care, welcoming patients at our front desks, answering the phones, scheduling appointments, conducting community outreach, connect patients with community resources and support services, coordinating care, maintaining our facilities and technology, providing essential administrative and operational support behind the scenes, or serving on our Board of Directors, their commitment to our mission made this achievement possible.”

Melissa Meyers, Chief Executive Officer of Generations Family Health Center, said “The mission of Generations Family Health Center, Inc. aims higher than just providing access to care, it specifically states we strive to achieve access to QUALITY care. Being recognized by the federal government for the high level of care we provide at Generations is acknowledgement of what we at Generations already know, in terms of having high standards for the care we provide, and it just validates the hard work our employees put in each day to care for our patients. We are all very excited to receive this recognition!”

The announcement comes during National Health Center Week, an annual celebration recognizing the vital role community health centers play in improving the health of millions of Americans. HRSA-funded health centers now serve more than 32 million patients nationwide, providing comprehensive primary care regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

About Generations Family Health Center

Generations Family Health Center is a private, nonprofit federally qualified health center dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, high-quality healthcare to individuals and families throughout eastern Connecticut. Since 1984, Generations has delivered comprehensive primary medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. With locations in Willimantic, Putnam, Danielson, Norwich, school-based health centers, and a Mobile Health Unit, Generations is committed to improving access to quality care, reducing health disparities, and helping patients lead healthier lives.

Media Contact

Allison Heneghan
Director of Communications & Development
Generations Family Health Center
860-803-7254
aheneghan@gfhc.org

EB Employees Support TVCCA with $16,000 Grant Norwich, CT July 28, 2026— The Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association is once again partnering with Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) to support neighbors in need across eastern Connecticut with $16,000 in funding for two critical programs. A $9,000 grant will support TVCCA’s Home Again program, which helps prevent homelessness by assisting households with emergency housing expenses, including rent, security deposits, utilities, and moving costs. The program also provides case management to help families achieve long-term stability.

“Because of partners like the Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association, we can help families address housing challenges before they become a crisis,” said Ida Parker, TVCCA’s Director of Housing. “This support gives households the opportunity to regain stability and move forward.”

An additional $7,000 grant will support TVCCA’s Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels program, helping provide meal delivery and congregate dining opportunities for older adults throughout the region.

“We’re so grateful for the continued commitment of the Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association,” said Eugene Theroux, TVCCA’s Director of Senior Nutrition. “Their support helps us provide more than meals—it helps ensure seniors receive connection, care, and support when they need it most.”

For more information about TVCCA’s Housing and Senior Nutrition programs and other services throughout eastern Connecticut, call (860) 889-1365 or visit tvcca.org