2008 Champion of Housing

Christel Truglia is one of the most respected women in the state of Connecticut. Elected to the 145th Assembly District in 1988, she has served with distinction. Amassing legislative experience and community initiatives too numerous to list. Since the death of her husband, State Senator Anthony D. Truglia, Christel Truglia’s advocacy has included the broadest sweep of our population - from human services for our children to the needs of our aging seniors. Appointed Assistant Majority Leader in 1995, Representative Truglia has served on a range of legislative committees including the crucial Appropriations Committee and a member of the Human Services Committee and the Select Committee on Children. Christel has been a fierce advocate and has fought hard to ensure that services are available and accessible to meet the needs of individuals, children and families who struggle with poverty, chronic medical and mental illness and homelessness. Christel consistently demonstrates that following your heart can be the foundation of effective leadership; that commitment, perseverance, courage and integrity are indeed the hallmark of a great public official. Founder and Chairperson of the Truglia Thumbelina Fund, Representative Truglia sought to create a fund that when no other source was available could meet the need.

Michael J. Critelli has been the Executive Chairman of Pitney Bowes Inc., a $6.1billion mailstream solutions company, since May 14, 2007. During the 34 years since he completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin and was then awarded a J.D., cum laude at Harvard Law School, he has had a distinguished career as a company, industry, and community leader. As Executive Chairman, Mr. Critelli leads Pitney Bowes’ focus on the emerging opportunities in postal reform in the U.S. and globally, and develops market opportunities in areas such as health care, government services and corporate social responsibility. During his 29-year tenure with Pitney Bowes, Mr. Critelli has served most recently as Chief Executive Officer, marking an 11 year period of unprecedented reform, firmly establishing the company’s leadership in global mailstream markets. Mr. Critelli has been instrumental in leading the $900 billion mailing industry’s promotion efforts. He co-chaired the Mailing Industry Task force with the Deputy Postmaster General from 2001 to 2006 and is also the Chairman of the Mailing Industry CEO Council that has provided industry advocacy on postal reform and leadership on other key industry issues. He is a driver of technological innovation in the mailing industry, and was awarded nine U.S. patents for mailing technology. Mr. Critelli’s leadership also extends to health care and healthy communities, diversity, corporate governance and ethics, talent development and transportation. He recently chaired a Commission appointed by Governor Jodi Rell, charged with examining and redesigning the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s mission, direction, business practices and organizational structure. During his tenure at Pitney Bowes, Stamford has continued to benefit from the company’s commitment to community revitalization and affordable housing. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for three non-profit organizations: the Dossia Founders Group, an organization instrumental in developing a web-based framework for private, personal and portable health records; Boston University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center Advisory Board, a center of excellence for the study and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease; and the Connecticut Regional Institute for the 21st Century, a public policy think tank that promotes sustainable economic development and Connecticut’s competitive position in the global economy. Mr. Critelli has just completed nearly five years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Urban League, and served on the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board where he co-chaired the Board’s Funding and Finance Working Group. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Catalyst, which promotes the advancement of women in the workplace; the Board of Trustees for the Connecticut Science Center which supports scientific education and endeavors in the State, and is a Board member of Partnership for Prevention which supports prevention methods to improve the health of all Americans. He previously served on the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board where he co-chaired the Board’s Funding and Finance Working Group. In addition to chairing the Pitney Bowes Board of Directors, Mr. Critelli is also a member of the Board of Directors of Eaton Corporation, a leader in providing products, services, and technologies for many transportation-related industries, including automotive, truck, and airspace customers. Mr. Critelli was recently elected to the Wyeth Board of Directors, a global leader in pharmaceuticals, consumer health care products, and animal health care products.