Image Credit: Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media

Stamford Partnership Welcomes President of AT&T New England & Local Leader to Board

The Stamford Partnership has continued enhancing its regional leadership growth into 2021, with the recent addition of John Emra, President of AT&T New England, and David Mannis of the Stamford Board of Finance, to its Board of Directors.

Mr. Emra, has worked for AT&T since 2001, previously serving as a regional vice president for external and legislative affairs for Connecticut and then as AT&T Connecticut President.  He has worked extensively on national broadband policy, having dealt with matters before Congress and the Federal Communications Commission.  He was named New England President in 2020.

“The Stamford region has an opportunity to become a hub of innovation and the Stamford Partnership plays a key role by connecting people and ideas,” said Mr. Emra. “I am honored to work with the Board as we explore and empower the game-changing partnerships and projects powering Stamford’s transformation into a connected, intuitive and technology-forward leader.”

Mr. Mannis has served in numerous public service capacities, including as President of the Stamford Board of Education. He resides in Stamford.

“The Partnership brings together the ideal mix of organizations and individuals who can help assure a bright future for Stamford,” said Mr. Mannis. “I look forward to participating.”

The two additions to the board highlight the impact that involvement from members of the community can have on the Partnership’s ability to grow and launch new programs that will positively impact the people of Stamford.

Stamford Partnership CEO Jon Winkel said, “I’m looking forward to working with John and David. Their expertise will be invaluable in planning and driving our continued growth. Our highly engaged board leadership continues to evolve and expand in a manner that propels the Partnership’s mission to more effectively serve our community.”

The recent additions bring the Partnership’s board to 37 members, its highest level to date. Winkel added, “The thought leaders we have on the Partnership board are dynamic and will undoubtedly help us bring about an accelerated economic recovery in 2021 and beyond”

The Stamford Partnership is a public-private partnership dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those who live, visit and work in Stamford and across the wider region that it serves. Its successful programs throughout 2020 include, a  COVID Fund, Leadership Fairfield County, Mobility Planning, Restaurant Bonds, Stamford Innovation Week, Stamford Promise and SWIFI.  In 2021, the Partnership plans to continue to roll out new programs, including TechFWD.

Its Board of Directors includes:

Jodi Gutierrez, Chair, George Comfort & Sons

April Condon, Vice Chair, Day Pitney 

Joan Carty, Housing Development Fund

Heather Cavanagh, Stamford Chamber of Commerce 

Terrence Cheng, University of Connecticut 

Scott Conley, Cradlerock 

Steve Cooper, Robinson + Cole 

Shannon Daniels, Encaptiv

Gloria DePina, Stamford Board of Reps.

John Emra, AT&T

Ursuline Foley, Provident Bank

Joe Goett, Wells Fargo

Eileen Heaphy, Community Rep

Alice Knapp, The Ferguson Library 

David Kooris, Stamford Downtown

Whitney Libby, Schimenti

Mayor David Martin, City of Stamford 

Thomas Madden, City of Stamford

David Mannis, City of Stamford

Michael Moore, Stamford Downtown

Dan Morris, Belpointe Asset Management

David Noble, University of Connecticut

Chris Perrett, Peoples Bank

Michael Pollard, City of Stamford

Matt Quinones, Stamford Board of Reps. 

Keith Reynolds, Publio

Caroline Simmons, CT House of Reps.

Randy Skigen, Secretary

David Stein, Stamford Zoning Board 

Dan Stolzenbach, Stamford Town Center 

Andrew Sufian, Stamford Landing 

Rowena Track, Boys and Girls Club

Ann Zucker, Carmody Law