The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors. In making the announcement, Chris Le Bris, President of the Board of Directors of the Foundation said, “We are fortunate indeed to have enlisted the services of two outstanding community leaders to further the work of the Foundation. Their addition to the Board, will allow the Foundation to expand its coverage of the many deserving charitable institutions in Fairfield County.”
Jim Murray brings 35 years as an investment banker, and corporate executive in the financial services industry to the Board. He is currently a Managing Director at Bryant Park Capital, LLC, an investment banking firm headquartered in Conshohocken, PA. Besides having served as an advisor to the Foundation in matters of governance and financial markets in the past, he has extensive experience of not-for-profit volunteer work. He is currently the President of the Board of Directors of Help for Kids of Stamford, CT, which is an organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Exchange Club of New Canaan, a social service organization, and its related charitable foundation, and has served as President of both those organizations in the past.
Jim is a graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, and he has an MBA from UCLA. He and his wife, Karen Lynn, both originally from Chicago, have been residents of New Canaan since 1990. They have two adult daughters.
Jim will assume the duties of Treasurer from Chris Le Bris, who was named President of the Board earlier in the year, succeeding Marty McLaughlin who stepped aside after serving as President for seven years. Mr. McLaughlin remains a Director of the Foundation.
Goerge Benington has long been involved in community affairs, where he has served the Town of New Canaan and a variety of not-for-profits for a number of years. He is currently the Chair of the Town’s Parks & Recreation Commission. In the past, George has served as President of the Exchange Club of New Canaan, and its related charitable foundation, New Canaan Fire Company, and Old Faithful Antique Fire Engine Co. Goerge is currently on the Board of Directors of the Exchange Club and past a Board member of the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, Indian Mountain School, Lakeville, Connecticut, an independent coeducational boarding and day school for children grades pre-K through 9, and the New Canaan Outback Youth Center.
Professionally, George has been in the paper and packaging industry for over 30 years, serving in a variety of sales and marketing roles. He presently works for Sweden based Billerud AB. George is a graduate of Lake Forest College in Illinois. A third generation New Canaanite, George lives with his wife Paticia and has two adult sons.
The John and Ethel Kashulon Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the most vulnerable members in our society by investing in children and families. Programs that promote excellence in education, protect children and families, and provide cultural opportunities that enrich the community are the primary goals of the Foundation. The Foundation’s work is centered in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and surrounding communities.
