Kerite Exec Heads Largest Division in Campaign

Fred Ortoli, Chariman of Valley United Way's Annual Community Campaign has appointed John DeGray, President of Marmon Engineered Wire & Cable, which includes The Kerite Company in Seymour to Chair the Cornerstone Division of the 2009-10 Community Campaign.  

The Kerite Company is one of the oldest businesses in the Valley. Kerite manufactures higher reliability cables for Utility power systems and for downhole oil production systems. Kerite is a member of the Marmon Group a Berkshire Hathaway Company.

Since 2008, John has also served as President newly formed Marmon Engineered Wire and Cable Energy group which includes The Kerite Company; Hendrix Wire & Cable Milford, NH; Aetna Insulated Wire Virginia Beach, VA and Owl Wire and Cable with 3 plants in central New York State. All of these companies provide products for expanding and rebuilding the nation's energy infrastructure.

John is a member of  Valley United Way's Board of Directors. Under his leadership, the Annual Community Campaign at Kerite has grown dramatically, and John has also been an active member of the Campaign Cabinet, which steered community fundraising efforts.

In this position, DeGray will assist Ortoli by maintaining relations with existing and acquiring additional companies that donate corporate gifts at or above the $5,000 benchmark.  He will also recruit volunteers to assist with the Cornerstone Division and personally contact local CEO’s to gain company participation. 

After the 2008/09 campaign DeGray was presented with the CEO Leadership Award from Valley United Way. The Kerite Company also achieved the Top Dollars Raised Award, which requires a combined corporate and employee giving minimum of $10,000. 

John DeGray obtained a Masters at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after receiving his Bachelors from Bryant University. 

Ortoli said, "I am thrilled that John has agreed to serve in the Campaign Cabinet this year. He is not only a leader in his business, but also a leader in corporate citizenship. He has re-built a very successful United Way campaign at Kerite, and serves as an example for other businesses in the Valley to follow".

CAMPAIGN UNDERWRITERS

Coordinated Transportation Solutions, Inc. * Dworken, Hillman, Lamorte & Sterczala, PC * Falcioni Painting * Fletcher Thompson * Fred Ortoli Photography * Gexpro * Inform Printing * Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P. * The Kerite Company * Riverview and Edward F. Adzima Funeral Homes * Venman & Co. LLC * The W.E Bassett Company * Webster Bank

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