Cindy Scoville is the new president and CEO of the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. She has over 30 years of chamber experience.
By LISA CAPOBIANCO
STAFF WRITER
For over 30 years now, Cindy Scoville has immersed herself in the chamber world.
When she worked for the Bristol Press Publishing Company in the late 1970s, Scoville represented the newspaper in the Chambers of Commerce. From there, the chamber world was introduced to Scoville, who was involved with the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, holding positions of president, vice president and events coordinator.
“Since that point in time, [the chamber] was in my blood,” said Scoville, who stayed involved with the chamber when she worked in Bristol Hospital’s marketing department from 1997 to 2005. “During my career, I grew up being involved in a Chamber of Commerce, in our Chamber of Commerce.”
For the past 10 years, Scoville has worked at the Central Connecticut Chambers, most recently serving as executive director for three chamber affiliates, including the Farmington Chamber, New England Spring and Metalstamping Association and Connecticut Tool & Machining.
Today, Scoville is the new president and CEO of the Central Connecticut Chambers. She is the first female president of the Central Connecticut Chambers, and is excited to start her new role.
“This type of position is not a 9-to-5 job—it is a 24/7 job,” said Scoville. “Without the support of your family, which I have, it would be very difficult to do.”
Scoville joined the Central Connecticut Chambers in 2005 as a contracted employee through Capital Workforce Partners, helping individuals get placed in the workforce. As her success continued, Scoville was hired full-time as operations manager, which grew into helping with membership, marketing and affiliate development.
Scoville hopes to continue workforce development, and plans to reach out to local workforce boards.
“We will connect ourselves with our local workforce boards,” said Scoville. “It’s a financially difficult time for everyone, including the workforce boards…but they have a wealth of knowledge and resources that helps our citizens in our area.”
Before joining the chamber staff, Scoville served on several committees and co-chaired the Bristol Chamber Toll Free to Hartford campaign in the 1980s. Outside of the chamber, she served two terms on the Plymouth Town Council and two terms on the Plymouth Board of Education.
As the chamber plays a vital role in the business world, Scoville said she has a complete understanding of the importance of keeping local businesses abreast on what is happening locally and regionally.
“It is our job as a chamber…to make sure we keep them current on what’s going on not only locally, but in our region,” said Scoville. “It’s part of our mission. The vitality of the business community equals the vitality and vibrancy of…the community.”
Consisting of over 1,600 member businesses across the region, the chamber serves Bristol, Plainville, Burlington, Wolcott, Plymouth, Farmington, and Bloomfield. The chamber also represents and supports the New England Spring and Metalstamping Association, Connecticut Tooling and Machining Association, and the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Executives.
Over the years, the Central Connecticut Chambers aligned itself with other associations, not only chambers, but also two manufacturing associations and a healthcare association.
“We’re complimenting what it is they’re trying to achieve by aligning ourselves with them,” said Scoville, adding that Central Connecticut is a “trail” of opportunities for people visiting the area.
Looking back on her chamber experience, Scoville said the people she has met throughout her career is something she has enjoyed the most about her experience at the Central Connecticut Chambers. She added that individuals like president of Tunxis Community College Cathryn Addy and former chamber president John Leone served as mentors along the way.
“A little piece of each one of them have been instilled in me,” said Scoville, adding that her parents taught her the value of hard work.