October 26, 2005

People's Honors Five Employees With Its Annual 'Spirit Of Volunteerism' Award

BRIDGEPORT, CONN. - Today People's Bank concluded a month of celebrating volunteerism with a recognition event at which bank executives announced that over 550 People's Bank employees have given over 75,000 hours of community service across the state to date in 2005. The bank also announced five employees as winners of the Spirit of Volunteerism Award for their community leadership and commitment to volunteer activities.

The 550 employees who regularly volunteer their time and talents in communities throughout the state participate in activities ranging from building houses for Habitat for Humanity to raising money for various charities by participating in walkathons and bowlathons, in addition to serving on boards of numerous nonprofit organizations.

The Spirit of Volunteerism Award is a peer-driven award which was instituted in 2002. The award recognizes volunteer and community leadership efforts of People's employees from both the corporate offices in Bridgeport and regional offices throughout the state.

This year's five winners are: Peter Goodwin of Orange;Bert Gallant of Milford;David Osella of West Hartford;Renee Goupille of Norwich;and James A. Somers of Trumbull. Each of the winners received a plaque and a $500 contribution to the charity of their choice.

"Community involvement is an integral part of People's Bank success," said Parry E. Spahr, senior vice president, Corporate Community Relations. "This award recognizes those employees who are the best of the best in helping to ensure a positive economic and social environment, whether it's in Norwich or Milford. Their efforts are important because they represent another link between the bank, its customers and the communities we serve," he added.

"People's commitment to our communities, both as an institution and through our employees, is evident in every city and town where we work and live," said John A. Klein, president and chief executive officer. "In addition to our significant corporate donations, our employees are very active in their communities, contributing their time and talents to the boards and committees of charitable organizations throughout the state."

Biographical Information

Peter Goodwin of Orange, tax accountant, has been a member of the American Red Cross for 25 years and most currently serves as an event volunteer. Goodwin, along with co-award recipient Bert Gallant, have been instrumental in organizing People's Bank's quarterly blood drives for over 15 years. These drives have resulted in the donation of thousands of pints of blood and have helped to save thousands of lives. Goodwin also has dedicated over 20 years as an active firefighter with the Orange Volunteer Fire Department where, in addition to his firefighting duties, he spent 4 years as recording secretary and most currently serves as budget and finance director.

Bert Gallant of Milford, vice president and portfolio manager in the bank's Trust Department, has been a member of the American Red Cross for 18 years and most currently serves as an event volunteer. Gallant, along with co-award recipient Peter Goodwin, have been instrumental in organizing People's Bank's quarterly blood drives for the past 15 years which have resulted in the donation of thousands of pints of blood and have helped to save thousands of lives. Gallant also has spent over 20 years as an associate member of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department where she has held several committee memberships. Additionally, Gallant serves as a committee member for the Fairfield University Trustees Advisory Council, where she makes corporate communications and involvement recommendations to the university's Board of Trustees.

David Osella, of West Hartford, vice president and senior commercial real estate loan officer in the Hartford Commercial Real Estate Finance office, has devoted years of service to a variety of organizations within the greater Hartford area. Since 2001, Osella has been serving as a board officer and active member of the Community Renewal Team of Greater Hartford. Osella has also been active with the Meadows Real Estate Corporation. In his four-year tenure as president and board chairman, Osella has been instrumental in the successful development of a 100-unit assisted living community in downtown Hartford. Osella is also a board member of the Real Estate Finance Association and serves as treasurer for Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford.

Renee Goupille of Norwich, assistant vice president and financial services manager at the Norwichtown Financial Center in People's Norwich region office, has spent over ten years as a People's Bank representative and two years as the co-president of the Leadership Program with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. Additionally in 2004 and 2005, Goupille served as co-chair for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life Walk held annually at Norwich Free Academy. She also has donated her time to support the efforts of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the American Heart Association, where she has participated in the association's Heart Walk for the past five years. Goupille also served as a Savings Bank Life Insurance Council member in 2001 and 2004.

Jim Somers of Trumbull, vice president and market manager of the Trumbull market, has devoted numerous years of service to a variety of organizations in the Trumbull area. He has devoted over 15 years of service to the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as a board member and was recognized as 'Business Person of the Year.' Somers also serves on Trumbull's Own Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Kennedy Center Advisory Board and chairman of People's Quarter Century Club. Additionally, Somers donates time to Bridgeport's East End Yacht Club, the Trumbull High School Scholarship committee and the Trumbull Business/Education Initiative.

Founded in 1842, People's Bank (peoples.com) is one of Connecticut's largest banks with assets of $11 billion, more than 240 ATMs and 152 branches, 68 of which offer convenient seven-day banking in Super Stop & Shop locations across the state. A diversified financial services company, People's Bank provides consumer, commercial, insurance, retail investment and trust services to personal and business banking customers. People's Bank is the official banking partner of the University of Connecticut Division of Athletics. For more information about People's, its products and services, please call 800-772-1090, visit peoples.com or any of People's branches.