Long-Time Healthcare Executive Laurence Tanner Assumes Chairmanship of Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

Hospital for Special Care’s Lynn Ricci to Serve as Vice Chair; Berlin’s Adam Salina, Plainville’s Dr. Jeffrey Kitching Join Board of Directors

New Britain, Conn., January 12, 2014 – Retired healthcare executive Laurence A. Tanner, the former long-time President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital of Central Connecticut, has assumed the position of board chair of the Community

Foundation of Greater New Britain, heading a slate of Foundation leadership that includes a new vice chair and two new board members.

Hospital for Special Care (HSC) President and Chief Executive Officer Lynn Ricci, a Foundation board member for the past two years, is the new Vice Chair. Joining the Foundation’s board of directors for the first time are former Berlin Mayor Adam Salina and current Plainville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeffrey Kitching.

Tanner, a member of the Foundation’s board since 2010 and of its Audit Committee from 2005-2009, succeeds Tomasso Group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer J. Leo Gagne, who will remain on the board of directors. Tanner served as chief administrator of the Hospital of Central Connecticut and its predecessor, New Britain General Hospital, from 1987 to his 2010 retirement. He held the same position with Southington’s Bradley Memorial Hospital following the merger of the two hospitals in 2006.

Tanner is recognized as one of the region’s leaders not only in healthcare, but in community service. He has served numerous non-profit organizations and community initiatives over the past 40-plus years, ranging from the American Savings Foundation (where he remains a board member), to the Capital Area Health Consortium, New Britain-Berlin YMCA, Connecticut Hospital Association, Friendship Service Center, Community Mental Health Affiliates, American Red Cross, and many more. A resident of Farmington and veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Tanner holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters of Public Health from Yale University.

Ricci, who will succeed Tanner as Foundation Chair in 2018 upon completion of his two-year term, joined HSC in 2007. She will add the title of president and CEO of HSC’s parent organization, the Center for Special Care, on October 1 of this year following the retirement of John Votto.

Salina, currently a principal with the Rocky Hill-based government relations firm Kozak & Salina, LLC, served as Berlin mayor from 2003-2013. Upon his 2003 election, he was one of the youngest chief elected officials in Connecticut history at age 28. A Stanford University graduate, Salina had a brief career as a professional athlete in the National Football League. He serves a variety of local non-profit organizations including the Hospital of Central Connecticut, Boys & Girls Club of New Britain and New Britain-Berlin YMCA.

Dr. Kitching, a long-time educator and Plainville superintendent of schools since 2011, had previously served as the assistant superintendent of schools in Glastonbury. Kitching holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, a master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University, and a doctorate in education from Central Connecticut State University.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.

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