Hartford Stage Announces New Board Members

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Jill Adams, Board President, Darko Tresnjak, Artistic Director, and Michael Stotts, Managing Director, elected new members to its Board of Directors and elected a new Life Director at its Annual Meeting. Elected as new Board members for an initial two year term are noted community leaders Patti Broad; William P. Herdegen, III; Margaret Marchak; Christopher J. Rixon; Robin L. Smith; Peter L. Tedone; and C. Robert Zelinger. Elected as Life Director is George L. Estes, III.

"As we move into our 50th anniversary season, we are particularly pleased to welcome such an outstanding group to the Hartford Stage board. And our special thanks to George Estes, our new Life Director, who has been-and continues to be-such an incredible supporter of the stage. Together, we look forward to ensuring Hartford Stage will continue to play a vibrant role in the life of our community," said Jill Adams, Board President.

"These individuals are a distinguished group of business and community leaders, and share - along with all of the theatre's governing, honorary and life directors - a strong commitment to the work and mission of the Hartford Stage," saidDavid R. Jimenez, Governing Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee.

Newly Elected Members of the Hartford Stage Board of Directors:

Patti Broad is a retired teacher, who spent nearly 40 years in secondary education - most recently at Simsbury High School. At Simsbury, she taught a wide range of subjects, including American history, civics, world history, psychology and Spanish and served on a number of academic committees. She currently works with the Noah Webster House in West Hartford as a museum teacher and educational planner, and she is the associate producer of an independent documentary being made about veterans, especially World War II veterans.

William P. Herdegen, III, was named President of Connecticut Light & Power in September 2012. Prior to joining CL & P, he was Vice President of Transmission and Distribution Operations at Kansas City Power & Light. Bill serves on the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce and has held leadership positions with a number of industry organizations.

Margaret Marchak is the new Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Hartford HealthCare. Prior to being named to her current position, she was a partner in the Michigan office of the law firm Hall, Render, Killian, Heath and Lyman, specializing in healthcare law. She previously served as associate vice president and deputy general counsel for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she served as chief legal adviser for the University of Michigan Health System.

Christopher J. Rixon is chair of the tax group at the Hartford law firm of Reid & Riege. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association's Tax Law Section Executive Committee, the Tax Group of Hartford, the MetroHartford Alliance, and the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce. He has previously held leadership positions with St. Edmunds Retreat, Inc., Southeastern Connecticut Housing Alliance, Inc.; the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority Housing Preservation Task Force, and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Citizen Advisory Board of Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration.

Robin L. Smith is General Counsel, Americas and Pacific for LEGO Systems, based in the Enfield office. She is admitted to practice for the Supreme Court of the United States, U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut Superior Court. She is on the Board of the Hartford County Bar Association and has presented extensively at legal conferences and academic institutions on topics such as intellectual property, e-commerce, counterfeiting and piracy, and brand integrity.

Peter L. Tedone is President and Chief Executive Officer of Vantis Life Insurance Company in Windsor. He is a member of the adjunct faculty of the University of Hartford's A. D. Barney School of Business, teaching courses in Leadership and Corporate Strategy. He has served on the Board of Governors of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) since 2006 and served as Chair of the ACLI's Forum 500 section in 2008. In 2011, he was presented with the Forum 500's Distinguished Service Award.

C. Robert Zelinger is a partner in the Hartford law firm of Hinckley Allen, specializing in corporate and business matters including mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance, and contracts. He serves as General Counsel to mid-market companies in a variety of industries. Prior to joining Hinckley Allen earlier this year, he was a partner in The Farmington firm of Levy and Droney, P.C. His volunteer activities include the United Way; the Child Guidance Center; Entrepreneurs Organization; the Jewish National Fund; the Executive Committee of St. Mary's Health System; and as Chairman of the Waterbury Regional Chamber.

Newly Elected Life Director:

George L. Estes III has been a member of Hartford Stage's Board of Directors since 2001. He is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SPARTA Insurance Holdings, Inc., headquartered in downtown Hartford. Prior to founding SPARTA, he was co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Discover Re, a leading carrier for the alternative risk marketplace. An active community leader, in addition to his commitment to Hartford Stage, George has served as Chairman of the Board of the Connecticut Historical Society and Chairman of the Board of his alma mater, Kingswood Oxford School, and on the Board of Directors of the Williamstown Film Festival. He and his wife, Laura, are among Hartford Stage's most generous benefactors, making the first lead gift to the Act Now for the Future Capital and Endowment Campaign. The main lobby of the theatre is named in their honor.

Re-elected as officers of the Board for a one year term are Nadine Francis West, Vice President; David R. Jimenez, Secretary;and Sue Ann Collins, Treasurer.

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