Date: Fri 29-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

United-Way-Richard-Recht

Full Text:

Richard Recht To Head United Way Campaign

(with photo)

Richard Recht of Newtown has been appointed chairman for the $2.9 million 1997

fund-raising campaign of the United Way of Northern Fairfield County.

Mr Recht, 62, is human resources manager for the Pressure Sensors Division of

Eaton Corporation, which has plants in Bethel and Danbury.

The announcement of his appointment was made by Marty Milkovic, United Way

president and chief professional officer.

"Rich has a strong commitment to the community and to the United Way. He knows

a great deal about the greater Danbury area, its people and businesses. He

also is very concerned about the increasing needs in our community," Mr

Milkovic said. "We look forward to having his leadership in the 1997 Campaign

Cabinet."

United Way of Northern Fairfield County assists approximately 40,000 people

through 60 programs which serve the communities of Bethel, Brookfield,

Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding and Ridgefield.

One of Mr Recht's first major tasks as chairman was to set this year's goal.

"I recommended $2.9 million and it was accepted by the board," he said. "The

goal is four percent more than last year's total."

Last year the United Way exceeded its goal of $2.64 million by $130,000,

raising $2,775,000.

"I'm optimistic that $2.9 million is a good number because it's a number that

was reached by adding together the numbers which each major division set as

their goals," Mr Recht said. "I think that's important because they know each

of their own areas best."

The Campaign Cabinet recruited by Mr Recht includes Newtown resident Gerry

Ribilotti, executive vice president of Danbury Hospital, who will serve as

loaned executives chairman; Wayne Shepperd, publisher of The News-Times ,

major firms division chairman; David Bristol, superintendent of the Brookfield

Public Schools, education division chairman; Nancy Dolan, vice

president/business development at New Milford Bank & Trust, service division

chairman; Bill Felts, human resource manager of Branson Ultrasonics, business

and industry chairman; John Gogliettino, Gogliettino Insurance, retail

division chairman; Steve Greenberg, loan originator for Savings Bank of

Danbury, welcome division chairman; attorney Paul Jaber of Cutsumpas Collins

Hannafin, professional division chairman; John Kline, executive vice president

of Union Savings Bank, vice chairman and marketing/communications chairman;

Julio Lopez, assistant director of personnel for the city of Danbury, public

service chairman; and Joe Morrissey, assistant vice president for New Milford

Bank & Trust, commerce division chairman.

"I am very excited to have such a high caliber of volunteers on our Campaign

Cabinet," Mr Recht said. "I am looking forward to my role as 1997 campaign

chairman and to raising money to help the people of our community."

Mr Recht, who also was named to the board of directors of the United Way of

Northern Fairfield County, organized the annual campaign at Eaton Corporation,

where he has worked for 12 years.

"I've learned through this job that there are so, so many people in this area

that work so hard to make this the wonderful place it is," he said. "There are

literally hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer work given each year."

Mr Recht and his wife, Carol, have lived in Newtown for 20 years. They have

three children, Hilary, 35, Brian, 33, and Christopher, 29, and two

grandchildren.

Born in Hackensack, N.J., Mr Recht received a bachelor of science degree in

industrial management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J.,

and a master's degree in business administration from the Baruch School, City

College of New York. During his career, he has held positions in industrial

engineering, sales, marketing, sales training and corporate contributions.

He serves on the board of directors of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce

and the board of trustees of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, is a

member of the American Society for Personnel Administrators, and has served as

president and officer of the Stamford Contributions Group.

He also is a member of the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association. The

Rechts grow and sell Christmas trees on several acres at their home on Tunnel

Road.

The 1997 campaign kick-off and Day of Caring will be held on Wednesday,

September 10, beginning with a breakfast at 8 am at the Danbury Hilton &

Towers. Tickets are $11 per person. (For reservations, call 792-5330; the

deadline is September 3.)

"On the Day of Caring, area corporations are asked to allow their employees to

volunteer at agencies helped by the United Way," Mr Recht said. "One

corporation - GE Capitol in Danbury - allows its employees to volunteer for a

week with pay if they want to do it."

"What a way to see where your individual dollars go," he said. "The Day of

Caring provides sweat equity to make the world a better place."