New President And CPO Takes Over At The United Way Of West Central Connecticut

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

Aug. 13, 2022

Manny Martinez will be taking over as the new president and CPO of the United Way of West Central Connecticut.

He will be stepping into a position formerly held by longtime United Way president and CPO, Donna Osuch, who resigned from the role in June after taking it on in 2009. Osuch stepped back to become a School Readiness Liaison.

Within his decade and a half long career, the new president has served in a variety of leadership positions with the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club, Chrysalis Center as well as the Middlesex United Way.

“I am excited to work with amazing individuals and supporters in our four-town community. I understand the importance of bringing the community together and working towards the common goal of improving quality of life for those in our area. We, United Way staff and supporters, help people in ways we couldn’t as individuals,” Martinez said.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead UWWCC for the next 100 years and be a part of a great organization doing incredible things for Bristol, Burlington, Plainville and Plymouth. I look forward to bringing my experience and skills to the continuous success of UWWCC,” he continued.

Martinez continues to be an active member of his community by serving as a Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury board member as well as a board member of the Middletown Racial Justice Coalition. He attends Bristol’s Asbury United Methodist Church. The president is active in social and school events with his children Levi and Vayda Martinez.

United Way of West Central Connecticut continues its celebration of 100 years in civic leadership through its ties in government agencies, funders, nonprofit organizations, businesses and like-minded citizen allies. The group continues to advocate for a better Greater Bristol in its initiatives focusing on financial stability, education and health.

“We are excited to welcome Manny into this celebratory year. Manny brings a fresh perspective to our organization, with his extensive knowledge and work experience; making him the perfect candidate to lead us to be a stronger trusted partner in our four-town community for the next 100 years,” said UWWCC Board Chair Keith Bernier.

Martinez can be contacted at 860-582-9559, ext. 401 or by emailing mmartinez@uwwestcentralct.org. The president can also be reached at the United Way office at 440 North Main Street.

The United Way of West Central Connecticut originally organized as the Community Chest of Bristol in 1922 before expanding into Plymouth and Burlington. From there, it bonded with the United Way of Plainville in 1996 to become what it is today. The organization is one of 17 other Connecticut United Way groups. This also includes being one of around 1,300 agencies globally.