Newtown’s Paley Promoted—

New Leadership Roles Announced At Masonicare, Curtis Packaging

By John Voket

Newtown companies and a local resident were in the news this week as management additions and promotions dominated the business wire.

John Sweeney was recently named administrator for Masonicare at Newtown, Masonicare’s long-term care, in- and out-patient rehabilitation and assisted living campus on Toddy Hill Road.

Mr Sweeney, a licensed nursing home administrator, brings to Masonicare many years of managerial experience in the health care field.

In his role, Mr Sweeney will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the 154-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility to ensure its continued commitment to provide residents and patients with the highest quality of care.

He succeeds Thomas Gutner, longtime administrator at Masonicare at Newtown, who has assumed a similar role at Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford. Prior to joining the organization’s leadership team, Mr Sweeney served as administrator at Apple Healthcare/Apple Rehab in Watertown for 13 years.

Mr Sweeney graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor of science degree in health systems management and also received a master’s degree in health care administration from the University of New Haven.

He and his wife, Allison, and their four children reside in Prospect.

Curtis Packaging in Sandy Hook has retained industry-veteran Dena Goldstein to its team of account executives. Ms Goldstein comes to Curtis with 30 years of industry experience managing high-end accounts in the fragrance, cosmetics, and gourmet confections industries.

“I have been aware of Curtis Packaging’s focus on innovative ideas and novel constructions for many years,” said Ms Goldstein in a release. “The company’s pioneering position on sustainability and exceptional reputation for quality puts Curtis in the forefront of the industry, and I am looking forward to helping develop many new and exciting ideas.”

Don Droppo, Jr, president and CEO of Curtis Packaging. recognized Ms Goldstein’s extensive knowledge of the folding-carton production process and thorough understanding of luxury product industries.

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc, this week recognized Newtowner Andrew L. Paley on the occasion of his promotion to Northeast reimbursement manager. Mr Paley joined Auxilium in February of 2010 as a specialty account manager and helped the company launch the only FDA-approved treatment for Dupuytren’s disease (a debilitating hand disease causing fingers to contract).

Prior to joining Auxilium, Mr Paley spent six years with the Merck Vaccine Division supporting the sales of many adult and adolescent vaccines and eight years as the director of Speech-Language Pathology and Assistive Technology Departments at Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association.

He received his master of arts in speech-language pathology from University at Buffalo.

Mr Paley is involved locally serving on the Board of Directors for Adath Israel and the Newtown Soccer Club while coaching his sons’ soccer team. He lives in town with his wife, Shari, and their three sons, Ethan, Benjamin, and Jacob.

In other business news, Cherry Marin of Norwalk was named March 2011 Caregiver of the Month by Home Instead Senior Care of Sandy Hook. Ms Marin has been a caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care since March 2010.

She is among the Home Instead staff members who are part of the franchise owned by Sharon and Robert Massafra that serves seniors and their families in 33 towns throughout northern Fairfield, southern Litchfield, and northwest New Haven Counties.

The company also has an office in Trumbull.