'2026 Person Of The Year' Named By Stamford's State Street Debating Society

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford's State Street Debating Society has named lifelong Stamford resident Arthur "Arty" Selkowitz as the 2026 Person of the Year.

The Person of the Year honors a Stamford leader who embodies great moral character, leadership, and commitment to the Stamford community. This is the 78th year State Street Debating Society has named a Person of the Year.

"The State Debating Street Society is emblematic of the wonderful community spirit that permeates Stamford and its citizens," Selkowitz said in a news release. "Being recognized by the Society as worthy of joining the list of past honorees is humbling and gratifying."

Selkowitz, who retired in 2002, was chairman and chief executive officer of D'Arcy, Masius, Benton & Bowled, a large global advertising agency.

During his advertising career, he helped build such brands as Crest, Bounce, Cadillac, and Mars candies. In the 1990s, he helped major clients open up new markets in Eastern Europe and Asia. A past Board member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies, Selkowitz was a recipient of the United Jewish Federation of New York’s Global Leadership award.

Selkowitz has also devoted decades to public service and is currently active in several community organizations.

He was a long-time member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Center in Stamford, served as president of the organization, and currently sits on its Leadership Advisory Council.

As a board member of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Selkowitz chaired the Strategic Planning Committee that planned the current expansion of the museum facilities. He also served on the Advisory Council of Children’s Learning Centers.

At his retirement, at the request of then Mayor Dan Malloy, Selkowitz became a charter member and then founding chairman of the board of the Mill River Park Collaborative where he helped turn the park into one of Stamford’s crown jewels.

In 2023 when he stepped down after two decades from active leadership of the park, Selkowitz became co-chair of the Avon Theatre Film Center and is spearheading the facility's renovation and expansion with Co-Chair Susan Cullman and Executive Director Peter Gistelinck.

In 2012, Selkowitz was named "Citizen of the Year" in Stamford and was recognized by Moffly Media as "Outstanding Philanthropist" in 2011. In 2020, he received the Arlene & Irwin Ettinger Legacy Award from the Stamford Jewish Community Center.

"Stamford is a great city because of the many people who dedicate themselves to giving back to the community. No one better exemplifies that dedication than Arty Selkowitz!" said State Street Debating Society Chairman Mike Cacace, in a news release. "From his service to the Stamford Jewish Center to his incredible work for the Mill River Park and most recently his efforts to renovate the Avon Theatre, Arty has made a lasting mark on the fabric of Stamford that will last for generations. State Street Debating Society is proud to name Arty Selkowitz our Person of the Year."

Selkowitz will be honored at an annual dinner on March 10 at The Waters Edge at Giovanni's in Darien. For tickets and more information go to: statestreetdebating.org.