AVON CHAMBER ELECTS COCC'S RICH LEONE PRESIDENT

AVON, Conn., May 30, 2007 — COCC’s President and CEO, Richard A. Leone, was elected president of the Avon Chamber of Commerce for the 2007-2008 term. At the Annual Meeting last week, Rich pledged to continue the Chamber’s initiative to forge a business partnership with the Town of Avon, Connecticut.

“We have a terrific chamber and a great town government who are eager to work together for the betterment of Avon,” said Leone. “My predecessors, Ron Evans, Paul Mickelson, Wendy DeMore, Dave Peña, certainly have paved the way for closer cooperation between local business and the Town. I expect to make good progress on the key issues facing local businesses.”

Leone said he understands the obligation of large companies to spearhead initiatives that will benefit the greatest number of businesses in town. As the largest private employer in Avon, COCC has taken the lead in suggesting improvements to current signage regulations, transportation issues, taxations, and attracting new, vibrant businesses to town.

“Many of these issues cannot be solved by separate business and government initiatives,” said Leone. “Working together enables us to build higher quality solutions with broader support which improves the general climate for everyone in town.”

Leone asked all Avon businesses to consider membership in the Avon Chamber and active participation in Chamber committees. ‘We won’t make progress by sitting on the sidelines,” he said. “Getting involved, staying positive, and working for the common good are the formula for success.”