2011 Connecticut Executive Choice Awards Honorees
Paul McCraven
First Niagara Financial Group
Paul McCraven serves as Senior Vice President of Community Development at First Niagara Financial Group. Paul joined the former New Haven Savings Bank, which later became NewAlliance Bank, in 1997 as Vice President of Community Relations.
Today, he is responsible for all aspects of community development and affordable lending activities across First Niagara’s entire footprint. He serves on numerous boards including the Amistad School, AAA of Southern New England, Gateway Community College Foundation and the Hartford Economic Development Corporation. Paul is also a former Board member of National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter.
James Torgerson
UIL Holdings Corporation
James Torgerson, 58, is President and Chief Executive Officer of UIL Holdings Corporation, the holding company for The United Illuminating Company (UI), The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation and The Berkshire Gas Company.
Torgerson became President of UIL in January 2006 and CEO of UIL in July 2006. He became CEO of UI in April 2006. UIL completed its acquisition of the three gas companies on November 16, 2010.
Torgerson maintains an active role in the community. His current activities include serving as:
- Board member and Vice-chair of St. Raphael Healthcare System
- Board member and Chair of REX Regional Growth Partnership
- Board member of Edison Electric Institute
- Board member emeritus of Connecticut Business and Industry Association
- Board member and Chair of CT 21 – The Connecticut Institute for the 21stCentury
- Member of Regional Leadership Council of New Haven
- Trustee – Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Torgerson received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Cleveland State University.
Nancy Wyman
Lieutenant Governor, State of Connecticut
As Connecticut’s 108th Lieutenant Governor, Nancy Wyman is continuing the commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability that made her a leading voice for taxpayers during her 16 years as State Comptroller.
Nancy’s first job was as an X-Ray Technician. She and her husband Michael raised two daughters in Tolland, where they now play active roles in the lives of their five grandchildren.
Prior to her election in 1994 as Connecticut’s first woman State Comptroller, Nancy served eight years as State Representative from the 53rd District. She first entered politics in 1979, when she was successfully ran for a seat on the school board in Tolland because she wanted a say in her daughters’ education.
Nancy is known as a tireless advocate for improving health care access and affordability, and has for years been active in the effort to raise funds for breast cancer research. She also has been closely involved in countless events with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the American Heart Association and the National Kidney Foundation.