Author: Webmaster (Page 1 of 2)

Nigg, Brock

October 30, 2026 /

My wife, Heidi, and I first moved to Darien from New York in 2019. Business took us to California from 2022 to 2025, during which time we lived in Carmel-by-the-Sea. We returned to Darien in November 2025 and are delighted to call it home. again. We particularly appreciate the town’s history, natural beauty, changing seasons, and wonderful people, as well as its proximity to New York City and New England. We remain members of the Pebble Beach and Tennis Club and enjoy spending February and March in Carmel.

Heidi and I enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, and supporting charitable causes. Ten years ago, we founded Caring to Remember, recently renamed Caring for Tomorrow, a charitable initiative involving the New York City commercial real estate community. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $6 million to support Alzheimer’s research and services, with proceeds benefiting CaringKind. Heidi is a retired kindergarten teacher who taught for 30 years at Rye’s Midland School. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have married well above my station!

Our daughter, Emily, graduated from Canterbury School in New Milford and Trinity College in Hartford, where she earned her degree in 2024. She now lives in Greenwich Village and works in property management for CBRE. We are very proud of her.

Professionally, I am the founder and chairman of Integrated Energy Services (iES), doing business as WellStat.io, a technology company I began building in 2004. Our technology helps large commercial buildings participate directly in electricity markets through our EnergyDesk platform, while our WellStat solution integrates building systems to improve energy efficiency, operating performance, and indoor air quality. Our goal is to make buildings both more financially productive and healthier for their occupants. With the support of a private equity partner, we anticipate a sale to a larger financial sponsor or strategic buyer in early 2027.

I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1989, where I studied computer science and mechanical engineering. I also studied financial accounting at Harvard. My career began at Ford Motor Company’s Livonia Transmission operations. I subsequently moved to New York City, where I worked for York International (now part of Johnson Controls), before founding a commercial HVAC business that eventually evolved into Integrated Energy Services and WellStat.io.

My interests include finance, technology, lifelong learning, and staying active. Above all, I enjoy spending time with my family and supporting Heidi and Emily in their charitable endeavors.

 

Pugliese, Jim

October 30, 2026 /

My wife, Anne, and I have called Darien home since 1985, and we also spend part of the year in Delray Beach, Florida, where Anne grew up.

I was born in Stamford in 1956 and raised in Middletown, Connecticut. I graduated from Middletown High School in 1974, where I captained both the swimming and track teams. I went on to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a B.S. in Economics in 1978. At Penn, I was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, known as “The Castle,” and competed on the track team in the pole vault and decathlon. I subsequently earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut in 1980.

My professional career has focused on insurance, finance, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions. I am currently the founder and CEO of Centurian Group, a sell-side M&A advisory firm. I was also an active member of the Fairchester Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) from 1991 to 2020.

Anne is a graduate of the University of Florida, and we have three children: Caroline, Catherine, and Andrew.

Outside of work, I enjoy golf, skiing, boating, and traveling. Anne and I appreciate the opportunity to divide our time between Connecticut and Florida while staying connected to the Darien community we have called home for more than 40 years.

 

Tregellas, Ty

October 20, 2026 /

Staley Tylor Tregellas was born on May 17, 1956 at New York Hospital in New York City.   Fortunately, his parents decided to call him by his middle name, Tylor/Ty, to minimize the number of times each day that he would have to spell both his first and last names.  He was raised in the Yorkville neighborhood of NYC and learned to ride a bike at Carl Schurz Park, a couple of blocks from his home on East 86th Street.

Ty went on to The Buckley School for grades 1 – 8, and then he attended Deerfield Academy and graduated in 1974.  He was then enrolled at Trinity College, where he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and he spent the fall semester of his junior year at Institute for European Studies in Vienna Austria.   He graduated with a BA in Economics in the spring of 1978.

After graduating from college, Ty pursued a position in architecture, but soon learned it was an uphill battle without a corresponding degree. Fortunately, a sympathetic architect connected Ty with the VP of Operations at Turner Construction, and after a series of interviews, he was off to Houston to learn Line & Grade and help build the 50 story Capital National Bank Building and the 20 story Meridien Hotel which were built on a common site in downtown Houston.

In 1981, Turner transferred Ty back to NYC where he worked as a cost engineer, superintendent, project engineer, and project manager on a variety of projects, which ultimately led to a position as the Manager of Business Development for Turner’s NY office.

In 1983, Ty and a friend bought a 7 acre subdivision in East Hampton, NY and  Ty “moonlighted” as the GC and finish carpenter for the construction of an investment property which was completed for a summer rental in 1985.  In the years that followed, Ty built and sold three more houses and also sold the 3 remaining acres.

While working in NYC in the early 90’s, Ty met a gal, Letitia Reardon,  with similar interests and values and they married in August of ’93.  Not wanting to raise a family in NYC, Ty took a position with Skanska Construction in Greenwich at the end of ’93 and moved to a rental house on Renshaw Rd in Darien.  In 1995, their son Gardner was born, and soon thereafter Letitia was again pregnant, so they went looking for a bigger house.  They ended up buying a lovely house on Cecil Place in New Canaan, and in June of ’96  their daughter, Tess, arrived on the scene.   It was a busy house with two kids 54 weeks apart.  However, in March ’99, their daughter, Emma, joined the family, and later that year, Ty returned to Turner Construction at their office in Shelton, CT.

In 2001, the Tregellas family moved to a bigger house at 116 Marshall Ridge in New Canaan.  As tennis and paddle tennis enthusiasts, they joined the New Canaan Field Club where they both played on the inter-club tennis and paddle tennis teams, and their kids all competed in the local and National Paddle Tennis tournaments.  Their son, Gardner, was the winner of the 12, 14, and 18 & Under Boys Junior National Championships.  Ty & Tish also joined the New Canaan Winter Club, where the girls learned to figure skate and all their kids played intramural house hockey.  Ty also served on the Board of the Winter Club and as the chair of the Building & Grounds Committee from 2009-12, and he oversaw the reconstruction of the rink in 2011.

After returning to Turner Construction, Ty served as the Manager of the Special Projects from 1999-2001, Project Executive 2001-2005, and Manager K-12 Education Group/Project Executive 2005-2025.  Some of his noteworthy projects in and around Darien were: Wee Burn Country Club renovation and expansion, Tokeneke School, Darien Police Station Renovation/Expansion, Greenwich Country Day School ( multiple projects), Greenwich Academy (multiple projects), New Canaan Country School (multiple projects), St. Lukes School (multiple projects), King School, New Canaan Library, and New Canaan Police Station.

In addition to Ty’s extensive resume with K-12 construction, he also served on the board of Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT from 2000- 2023 and during this time he oversaw the planning and construction a new dormitory, a new Performing Arts Center, and several renovation projects throughout the campus.

In 2021, Ty and his wife separated and he moved to 96 Fitch Ave in Darien.  In 2025, Ty retired from Turner after 46 years “in the business,”  and he subsequently moved in with his “significant other,”  Ann Mileti, in Fairfield, CT.    He is currently enjoying his new retirement schedule which includes lots of pickleball, biking, golf, hiking, reading, travel, visiting all of his kids in NYC, and his new membership to the DMA!

 

 

 

 

Rayhill, Brian

October 19, 2026 /

Brian Rayhill and his wife, AnneMarie, have called Darien home for more than 30 years. Their three children—Alex, who lives in Chicago, and Meaghan and Harry, both of whom live in New York City—all attended Darien public schools. Over the years, Brian enjoyed coaching his children in various Darien sports programs.

Brian has been actively involved in the Darien community, serving as Chair of District IV of the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) and as a Justice of the Peace. He is also an active parishioner at St. John Church, where he serves as a weekly usher.

Professionally, Brian continues to work full-time as a Managing Attorney in New York City, specializing in litigation. AnneMarie is a Realtor with Houlihan Lawrence. Brian is a graduate of Syracuse University School of Law and an enthusiastic Syracuse sports fan.

Sports and music have always been important parts of Brian’s life. As a member of the Middlesex Club, he enjoys playing pickleball, paddle tennis, and tennis. His appreciation for music is also a family tradition. His father, Leo Rayhill, hosts Sounds of Jazz with Leo Rayhill, an archival radio program airing Sunday afternoons on WCNY.org.

 

Landis, Steve

October 15, 2026 /

A graduate of Beloit College (BA, 1976) and Columbia University Graduate School of Business (MBA, 1980), Steve enjoyed a 36-year career as a fixed-income investment professional. His experience included proprietary trading at a U.S. Treasury primary dealer, managing open- and closed-end mutual funds and institutional portfolios, and serving for 14 years as a principal in an emerging-market debt investment fund. He also managed emerging-market debt portfolios for an institutional investment manager.

A resident of Rowayton since 2016, he previously lived in Larchmont, New York, for 28 years. He and his wife of 45 years, Cynthia (Cindy) Graham Landis, have two married daughters and three granddaughters living in Darien and Rowayton Woods. Cindy, a graduate of Vassar College and Columbia University Graduate School of Business, is a retired real estate professional and former manager of Houlihan Lawrence’s Bronxville office.

An avid and accomplished sailor, he belongs to the New York Yacht Club, Cruising Club of America, Storm Trysail Club, and Norwalk Yacht Club. He previously chaired the New York Yacht Club’s Crossing Committee and served as treasurer and Cruise Committee chair of the Norwalk Yacht Club. His sailing accomplishments include podium finishes in Bermuda races in 2017 and 2018. He is also a former rock climber.

He looks forward to becoming more involved in the Darien community and drawing upon the considerable talents, experience, and interests of its residents.

West, Tim

October 15, 2026 /

Tim West has been a resident of Darien since 1998, having previously lived in Rowayton for 10 years. A longtime supporter of Darien youth sports, he served on the board of Darien Youth Lacrosse, coached numerous travel teams, and co-founded the Blue Wave Buddies program for first- and second-graders with Mike Connelly.

Tim graduated from Providence College in 1982, where he met his wife, Margot (née Benedetto). He recently retired following a career in asset management sales that began in 1985.

Tim and Margot have two grown sons, Andrew and Henry, both of whom attended Darien schools and now live in New York City.

Gould, Tim

October 14, 2026 /

Tim is one of four boys, all of whom grew up in Darien and attended the Darien public schools. He began at Ox Ridge Elementary School and graduated with distinction before moving on to Middlesex Middle School. At the time, Darien had two middle schools—Middlesex and Mather, which was located on the site of the current Town Hall. Tim graduated from Darien High School in 1981.

He went on to attend Hobart College, graduating four years later. Throughout his youth, Tim was an active participant in local sports, including soccer, wrestling, swimming, and lacrosse.

A longtime Darien resident, Tim is married and has three children, all of whom also attended the Darien public schools.

Tim’s professional career was devoted to Equity Capital Markets and Syndicate, with primary responsibilities that included the origination, marketing, pricing, and allocation of equity and equity-related products to institutional investors.

He spent 23 years at Lehman Brothers, where he ultimately ran the Syndicate desk globally and co-chaired the firm’s Equity Underwriting Committee. He later held similar senior roles at Macquarie and Truist Securities before retiring this year.

Family activities remain Tim’s first priority. In his free time, he enjoys working out, fishing, and golf.

 

Knipp, Peter

October 14, 2026 /

Born and raised in Maryland, Peter Knipp attended Princeton University before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Chicago. He began his professional life teaching physics, first at the college level and later in high schools. He subsequently embarked on a second career as a web-development software engineer and has now moved on to what may—or may not—be his final career, as a pickleball instructor.

Peter raised his two daughters in Virginia. One now lives in Seattle, while the other resides in Brooklyn with her husband and their young daughter. Peter is currently single.

After moving to the Northeast in 2009, Peter settled in Fairfield County in 2014 and moved to his current home in Norwalk in 2023. Despite his years in the area, he remains somewhat uncertain about precisely where Norwalk ends and Darien begins. Much of his connection to the Darien community has developed through his enthusiasm for tennis and pickleball, where he has come to know many local residents on the courts.

Make my biography warmer and more personalAdd a stronger closing about my community

Blank, Peter

October 14, 2026 /
Peter J. Blank has made Darien his home for more than fifty years while pursuing a distinguished career in creative direction, design, and branding. He earned degrees in mathematics and advertising design from American University, followed by an MFA in advertising design from Pratt Institute.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Peter has worked across a broad range of creative disciplines, including corporate identity, publishing, technology, interactive marketing, and user experience design. He has held senior creative positions at Answerthink and iXL, served as Worldwide Director of Design at Hill & Knowlton, and was Design Director at both Newsweek and Ziff Davis Computer Publications. As Chief Creative Officer at FT Search, he was responsible for strategic branding and marketing communications.

Throughout his years in Darien, Peter has developed a deep appreciation for Long Island Sound, its beaches, the changing seasons, and the familiar gathering places that give the community its character. Sailing has been a lifelong passion, and he has extensive experience in both cruising and racing. He is a member of the New York Yacht Club.

Peter and his wife, Susan, have enjoyed the combination of rewarding professional careers in New York City and the pleasures of life in coastal Connecticut. Together, they have traveled extensively while maintaining their longstanding ties to Darien, where they live with their Wheaten Terrier, Toby.

Shutts, Jay

October 14, 2026 /

Born in Buffalo, New York, Jay Shutts moved to Darien with his family in 1960 and has maintained close ties to the community ever since. He graduated from Darien High School in 1977 and earned a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Richmond in 1981.

Jay began his professional career in sales with Procter & Gamble immediately after college. In 1989, he joined the book printing division of R.R. Donnelley & Sons, beginning a long career in the publishing and printing industry. He continues to work with Lakeside Book Company, a successor to R.R. Donnelley. In 2019, he added an entrepreneurial venture to his professional pursuits with the purchase of Frog Hooks by Sternmoor, a boat docking system used at facilities across the country, including the Darien Boat Club.

Jay has been an active contributor to Darien’s civic and nonprofit organizations for many years. He served as President of the Darien Land Trust from 1997 to 2003, a period that included the important acquisition of Mather Meadow. He subsequently served on the Darien Library Board from 2012 to 2018, including two years as Treasurer, and as President of the Andrew Shaw Memorial Trust, which supports Darien Scouting, from 2017 to 2019. He currently serves on the Town of Darien’s Advisory Conservation Commission.

An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Jay enjoys skiing, golf, bicycling, boating, and hiking, and is a regular at the Darien YMCA gym.

His two children, both graduates of Darien schools, have ventured farther afield. His daughter, Kendra, lives in London, while his son, Cameron, resides in San Francisco.

 

 

Sargent, Bruce

October 14, 2026 /

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Westfield, New Jersey, where he attended public schools, Sargent has called Darien home for the past forty years. He graduated from Columbia College in 1966 and earned his MBA from Columbia Business School in 1968.

Following business school, he joined Smith Barney in 1968, beginning a career in investment management that has spanned nearly six decades. He remains active with the firm’s successor, Morgan Stanley, where he serves as Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Manager in its Westport office. A Chartered Financial Analyst, he previously served as Chairman of Smith Barney’s Capital Management Division, responsible for institutional investment management, and as a member of the firm’s Corporate Board.

Sargent has been deeply involved in civic affairs in Darien, serving as President of the Darien Historical Society and for more than twenty years as a member and Chairman of the Town Retirement Board. In 2026, he had the distinction of driving the Grand Marshal in Darien’s Memorial Day Parade.

His charitable and conservation interests have included service on the Board of the Inner City Foundation of Fairfield County and as President of Game Conservancy USA. He currently serves on the Board of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, its parent organization in the United Kingdom.

An active club member, Sargent served as President of the University Club of New York from 1987 to 1990 and belongs to several other New York City clubs, as well as Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. His outdoor interests are reflected in his memberships in the Camp Fire Club of America, Mashomack Preserve in New York State, and Ski Club 10 in Warren, Vermont, where he also serves on the Board.

He and his wife, Janet McInerney Sargent, have one son, Matthew, who lives in Darien with his wife, Brenna Kelly, and their son, Win.

 

Lyden, Basil

October 14, 2026 /

Basil first became acquainted with Darien during his college summers, when he taught sailing at Noroton Yacht Club. Raised in Larchmont and New Rochelle, New York, he eventually made Darien his permanent home with his family after returning to the United States in the mid-1980s following several years in London.

A graduate of Ohio University, Basil earned his MBA from George Washington University and pursued a career in marketing and sales of enterprise information technology and software to the financial services industry. He retired in 2017.

While attending Ohio University, Basil met his wife, Leslie, a proud Pittsburgh native. Together, they raised three daughters—Kate, Kerry, and Leah—all of whom attended Darien public schools. In a remarkable display of consideration for their parents, all three chose Colgate University, although each has since pursued her own distinct path. The family has grown to include two sons-in-law and five grandchildren.

Basil remains an active sailor, continuing to race Sonars at Noroton Yacht Club, and enjoys winter skiing in Steamboat Springs. Since retiring, he has devoted more time to travel, taken on the continuing challenges of golf and learning French, and serves as a docent at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

« Older posts

© 2026

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑