Southern Connecticut BOMA President's Message

Southern CT Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), the Stamford mayor's office and the Stamford police department have worked to organize a free public service seminar, "Deadly Violence in Every Setting," to address workplace violence prevention and response, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29, at RPW Group - 800 Westchester Ave., Ryebrook, N.Y. With the support of presenting sponsor AlliedBarton Security Services, venue sponsor RPW Group, and High Ridge Park/The Centre at Purchase, this free, educational seminar will be offered to the Fairfield and Westchester County communities. Attendees will learn how to spot, prevent, combat and protect themselves and their colleagues from workplace violence and deadly shootings in a variety of settings including commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, malls, factories, etc. Expert speakers will include Stamford police chief Robert Nivakoff; newly appointed Stamford public safety director, Bobby Valentine; and AlliedBarton Security Services, Rich Cordivari, vice president, learning and development. "Having attended this seminar in the past I felt that as president of Southern CT BOMA our members, and the community at large, could benefit from attending this very educational event," said Jodi Gutierrez, vice president of property management for George Comfort & Sons, on-site property manager of High Ridge Park Corporate Center and the president of Southern Connecticut BOMA. Southern CT BOMA organized a local committee to plan the event. Members of the planning committee include: Chris Munger, emergency management consultant to mayor Pavia of Stamford; John Perrotta, director of security, Stamford Public Schools; Robert Robins; David Monson, business development manager, AlliedBarton Security Services; Kara Braun, vertical market specialist, AlliedBarton Security Services; Jodi Gutierrez, vice president of property management, George Comfort & Sons and Southern CT BOMA president; Sharon Moran, executive director, Southern CT BOMA; Michael Diamond, president, Premier Maintenance, Inc.; and Jim McCullagh, retail consultant. Each day, two people are killed due to workplace violence and 87 people are injured, on average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "The statistics are startling," Valentine said, "and the general public and business community are important partners in our efforts to prevent and protect." "It is great to see business and community leaders joining together to protect our most important assets - our people," said Stamford mayor Michael Pavia. "It isn't a pleasant topic, but unfortunately it's a necessary one to address and I hope the seminar will be well-attended." There is no cost to attend this public-service event. To attend RSVP to 860-286-0787 or email smoran@ssmgt.com.