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Current Affairs: “Order in the Court!”, Dec 18, 2025

November 5, 2025 /

We have a great one coming up for you on Thursday, December 18 at 2PM in the Lillian Gade Room at the DCA and on Zoom (link provided below).

Our topic will be: The U.S. Supreme Court and the Constitution | The Operation of the Court in a Challenging Era
Graciously presenting this most relevant of subjects will be Tom Igoe. Many of you know Tom as a singer and past DMA President, but he also is an attorney who was chairman of a national law firm. He has taken a deep dive into the workings of the Court, and we are all in for a fascinating and enlightening hour.

Tom has put together a terrific reading list for us.  See separate email.
As always, our goal is to share knowledge through informed discussion. This is not the venue for partisan debate, and we ask everyone to resist any urge to engage in political punditry. Believe me, it will be difficult enough to squeeze this topic into a single hour.

Gioiella, Hank

October 30, 2025 /

Henry (Hank) J. Gioiella, Jr. was born in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., in 1948. He grew up in Crestwood, N.Y., and graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y., in 1966, where he played baseball and was active in drama. In 1970, he received a B.S. degree in finance from Fairfield University and was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He received an M.B.A. degree in finance in 1973 from Iona College. Upon graduating, he served in the U.S. Army 42nd Military Police. Hank began his career on Wall Street in 1962 while still in high school, working part time in the summer at the Irving Trust Company. He went on to work as a senior trader at Kidder Peabody, Lehman Brothers and Cantor Fitzgerald. He currently is with Williams Capital.

He and his wife Joan live in Darien and have one son. Hank is a member of the Darien Boat Club, the Darien YMCA and the Connecticut Options Association. He is a board member of the Piedmont Club and Fairfield University Alumni Association. He enjoys painting, boating, photography and traveling, mostly to Italy. He also is an avid car collector, and his collection includes an automobile previously owned by John Lennon. His cars have won awards at the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance and the Porsche National Meet.

Hughan, Chris

October 30, 2025 /

Chris Hughan and his wife Karen have called Darien home since 2000. Born and raised in the Northeast, Chris moved to Atlanta after college, where he met Karen in 1984 while they worked for the same interior landscape company.

Chris’s career began in traditional publishing at Time Inc. before he shifted focus to health care publishing in the mid-1990s. In 1998, he joined WebMD as one of its first employees, an experience that launched him directly into the world of digital health. He spent the rest of his career in this field, most recently helping to launch innovative digital health platforms like C Space Health, Medisafe and Alex Therapeutics. These platforms partner with pharmaceutical companies to leverage technology for improving patient engagement and health outcomes.

Chris and Karen moved to Darien in 2000, following Chris’s transfer to Manhattan by WebMD. They chose to live in Darien for its small-town feel, excellent schools, beautiful beaches and manageable commute. They are active members of the community, attending Saint Luke’s Parish, where Chris serves as an usher.

Chris and Karen have shared a passion for landscaping throughout their 41 years of marriage. Karen has turned that passion into a local business, Good Gardens LLC, a landscape design firm based in Darien. Since retiring in May of this year, Chris has traded his work schedule for travel plans and an ever-present “to-do” list for the house. When not working in his home garden, you’ll likely find him at the beach or enjoying a round of golf.

Chris and Karen are the proud parents of two grown daughters, both graduates of the Darien school system. The family continues to grow, and their focus has shifted to being grandparents. Their older daughter Kirsty lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters. Their younger daughter Madison resides in Boston’s South End with her husband and daughter.

Smith, Dave

October 30, 2025 /

Dave Smith and his wife Kathleen moved from New Jersey to Darien in July 2025. Dave was raised in Stamford and graduated from Stamford Catholic High School. He received a B.A. in political science from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, an M.A. in Latin American studies from Tulane University and an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a focus in marketing.

Dave started his career in 1975 with General Motors in New York City. He then joined Sterling Drug Company (later purchased by Kodak); after working in its International Division in the New York City headquarters, he had overseas assignments in Mexico, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. In 1981, he joined American Cyanamid Company (now part of Pfizer) , in its Wayne, N.J. headquarters. During his 14-year career at American Cyanamid, “la familia Smith” lived in in Puerto Rico and Madrid, Spain. The family has fond memories of living overseas, and it’s no surprise that Dave speaks fluent Spanish. He worked for Mark E. Smith & Associates in Stamford from 2001–2011, and from 2013–2016 while also serving as an adjunct marketing and management professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J., Concordia College in Bronxville, N.Y., and Bergen Community College in Paramus N.J.

He retired in 2019 after serving for three years as executive director of The Leo House, a Catholic guesthouse in New York City established in 1889 by a papal certification from

Pope Leo XIII, for whom it is named. As executive director, Dave was tasked with enhancing brand recognition. One of the key means to advance that goal was an annual

Pope Leo XIII Award Gala, a fundraising event at which the Pope Leo XIII Award was given to Catholic clergy, religious and lay persons or organizations recognized as embodying the ideals and values cherished by Pope Leo XIII.

Dave and Kathleen have three children and have been blessed with nine grandchildren.

He still cherishes his interaction and dialogue with students and intends to return to academics as a college professor.

Holiday Dinner, Dec 17, 2025

October 29, 2025 /

The DMA’s annual Holiday Party will be held on Wednesday, December 17th at the Country Club of Darien starting at 5:30 PM.  The cost is unchanged from last year, $70 per person.  This price includes passed hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, two bottles of house wine (one red and one white) on each table of 10, and musical performances by Gab Kallay and the Camerata singers.

This event traditionally sells out, so to ensure your place be sure to register by the general meeting of November 19th.  Final deadline to sign up and pay is December 3rd.

DMA members who have any questions may contact Chet Cobb or Ted Helms.

Current Affairs: “Special education reform in Connecticut,” Oct 30, 2025

October 29, 2025 /

State Representative Tina Courpas will be our guest to talk about special education in Connecticut. She sponsored a reform bill on the subject, and will discuss how it passed the General Assembly with 100% bipartisan support – a rarity these days! She will discuss her education bill and influential role on the Education Committee as a minority member.

Background readings

    1. Glossary of School Finance Terms.  Click here. 
  • Overview of Special Education Funding in CT.  CT Office of Fiscal Analysis.  Click here.
  • Special Education Law 101.  CT Office of Legislative Research.  Click here. 
    1. Summary of 2025 Legislative Action on Special Education.  Click here.
    2. Full text of 2025 Special Education Bill.  Click here.
    3. Recent CT Mirror Article.  Click here. 

Book Club: Apple in China by Patrick McGee, Dec 10, 2025

October 8, 2025 /

“After struggling to build its products on three continents, Apple was lured by China’s seemingly inexhaustible supply of cheap labor. Soon it was sending thousands of engineers across the Pacific, training millions of workers, and spending hundreds of billions of dollars to create the world’s most sophisticated supply chain. These capabilities enabled Apple to build the 21st century’s most iconic products–in staggering volume and for enormous profit. Without explicitly intending to, Apple built an advanced electronics industry within China, only to discover that its massive investments in technology upgrades had inadvertently given Beijing a power that could be weaponized. In Apple in China, journalist Patrick McGee draws on more than two hundred interviews with former executives and engineers, supplementing their stories with unreported meetings held by Steve Jobs, emails between top executives, and internal memos regarding threats from Chinese competition. The book highlights the unknown characters who were instrumental in Apple’s ascent and who tried to forge a different path, including the Mormon missionary who established the Apple Store in China; the “Gang of Eight” executives tasked with placating Beijing; and an idealistic veteran whose hopes of improving the lives of factory workers were crushed by both Cupertino’s operational demands and Xi Jinping’s war on civil society. Apple in China is the sometimes disturbing and always revelatory story of how an outspoken, proud company that once praised “rebels” and “troublemakers”–the company that encouraged us all to “Think Different”–devolved into passively cooperating with a belligerent regime that increasingly controls its fate.” — Provided by publisher.

Hendrickson, Paul

October 8, 2025 /

I have been a resident of Darien off and on since 1962.  I was born in 1951 in Minneapolis, MN and lived in Arkansas and Mississippi prior to moving to Darien.  I spent sixth grade in Tokeneke Elementary School, graduated from Mather Junior High School in 1966, and graduated from Darien Hih School in 1969.

I graduated from the U.S Naval Academy in 1973 with a B.S. in mathematics.  Then I spent five years on active duty and twenty-five years in the Reserves. My shipboard time was in Charleston, SC with approximately 50% of the time at sea. The last year of my active duty was at UCLA teaching Naval ROTC.

After leaving active duty, I attended Harvard Business School and graduated in 1980 with an MBA. I worked for Westvaco for two years and then IBM for the next 26 years primarily in financial functions.  My last assignment was with the IBM Pension Fund.

I took early retirement from IBM in 2008 and spent the next seventeen years as the Chief Financial Officer of three school districts – Ridgefield, Plymouth, and Trumbull. I retired from Trumbull on June 30, 2025, and currently do interim work for school districts.

In Darien I was a coach for youth basketball and baseball. I am currently a member of the Darien Board of Finance and in prior years was a member of the Board of Selectmen. My wife Joan is the Darien Town Treasurer. We have a son Robert who lives in Chicago.

Moran, Tim

October 6, 2025 /

Tim recently retired from the IBM after a career that expanded over forty years where he held executive positions in Sales and Financing. While at IBM, Tim had the opportunity to travel extensively and has visited over 60 countries.

Tim has an undergraduate degree from Saint Bonaventure University where he received an athletic scholarship for Division 1 basketball.  He also has an MBA from Syracuse University and a master’s in finance from NYU.

Tim recently returned to Darien after living for the past ten years in Boulder, CO and Charleston, SC with his long-term girlfriend.  Prior to that, Tim lived in Rowayton for three decades.

Tim enjoys the outdoors, staying active and is looking forward to getting involved in the various activities the Darien Men’s Club has to offer.

 

 

 

Ritchey, Peter

October 6, 2025 /

Peter Ritchey is brother to current DMA member Brooks Ritchey, as well as son of former DMA member, Jack Ritchey.
He is 63 years old and lived in Darien for 10 years from 1995 to 2005.
His 2 daughters attended Darien schools.
He was elected for 3 terms to the RTM representing District V and served as Secretary for the “Town Government, Structure and Administration” sub-committee.

Peter’s 40+ year professional career focused on HR leadership roles supporting and advising organizations from entry-level employees to C-suite executives across 4 different industries (Financial Services, Telecommunications, IT Managed Services and Retail) and 2 municipalities (Norwalk Board of Education and Town of Fairfield).

Peter is an active USTA tennis player and competitive sailor where he enjoys competing at the regional level in both sports.

His sponsor is Doug Bora Jr.

Varsace, Marlon

October 5, 2025 /

Marlon has been a Stamfordite for over five decades, living in Noroton Heights for a stint

A Graduate of the University of Connecticut

He is currently Vice President at Charles Schwab in Stamford, providing investment management advice to high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, corporations, and other select long-term investors  

He previously served High Net Worth and ultra-HNW investors, Merrill Lynch of Stamford, and a boutique firm in Westport, CT

Where he Concentrated on foreign currencies, natural resources, and commodities as well as precious metals

Marlon Began Wall Street Career at Oppenheimer & Co., NYC

And Currently holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 63 and 65 registrations

 Marlon is President, Board Member, Volunteer and previous Vice President, for F.I.S.H. of Stamford, Inc. a 501(c) nonprofit

 He is a Member of:

Equinox Club, Darien

Darien Men’s Association

New Canaan Men’s Club

The World Affairs Council of CT (participant, 2nd Mondays @ Mcarter & English. LLP)  

 

Newly remarried, lives in Stamford and Fairfield  

Husband to Anastassia, stepdad to Jazlyn, and cat dad to our Bengal Kitten, Bingo

MoMA Oct 28,2025

October 3, 2025 /

The Social Events Committee is organizing a trip to the Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday, October 28th.  We have arranged a guided tour of the Helen Frankenthaler exhibit and MoMA’s Masterworks Collection.  Helen Frankenthaler was an important figure in the development of abstract American art who spent the last 13 years of her life living on Contentment Island in Darien. We will take Metro North into Grand Central and proceed straight to the Oyster Bar at GCT for an early lunch.   Following lunch we will proceed to the museum, walking along 5th Avenue and through Rockefeller Center.  The walk is about a mile and takes roughly 20-30 minutes.  At the museum we will have a guided tour of the Frankenthaler exhibit as well as the museum’s Masterworks Collection. After the tour, everyone is welcome to circulate through the museum and find their way home.  As an optional extracurricular activity for anyone who wants, we will stop by the Campbell Bar at Grand Central.

The plan is to catch the 10:18 train from Darien arriving at 11:23 (10:21 Noroton Heights). At the Oyster bar, you will have a choice of soup and sandwich or an entree. We should arrive at the museum at 1:30, for a one hour tour to begin at 1:50. Following the tour, freely circulate and return on your own (last off-peak train at 3:30).  For those interested, stop by the Campbell Bar between 4:30 and 5:00.  Guests are welcome.  Maximum capacity for the event is 52.

The cost for the museum and lunch is $100 per person ($78 for MoMA members). Signup during the meetings or email Ted Helms or Wim Jessup. We are already approaching capacity, so please be sure to sign up as soon as possible.  Checks should be made out to DMA.

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