People’s Bank Honors Mark Fries

BRIDGEPORT –– Mark Fries of Newtown was honored recently for his community leadership and commitment to volunteer activities during the People’s Bank’s annual employee volunteer reception.

Mr Fries was one of four bank employees honored this year. They also included Armando Goncalves of Fairfield, Jane Moriarty of Groton, and Mary Ann Vlahac of Stratford. Each of the winners received a plaque and a $500 contribution to the charity of their choice.

 The bank has nearly 400 employees who regularly volunteer their time and talents in communities throughout the state. The activities they engage in range 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.

 Each employee received the Spirit of Volunteerism Award, a peer-driven award instituted last year. The award recognizes volunteer and community leadership efforts of People’s employees.

Mark Fries is a senior vice president at People’s subsidiary Beardsley, Brown and Bassett, and currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of United Way of Eastern Fairfield County. In November 2002, Mr Fries ran the New York Marathon with his daughter and raised $32,000 for The Swim Across the Sound Foundation. He also serves on the board of St Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, as well as the Cardinal Shehan Center, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, and the Newtown Scholarship Association, for which he raised $33,000 for scholarships through a golf tournament.

Mr Fries serves as a trustee of the University of Bridgeport and received a Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2003. He is a member of Bridgeport Rotary and was chairman of the International Service Committee.