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Volume 25, Number 7
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Steven Markoja, chief operating officer; and Carmen Chaparro, executive director of the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA are pictured Tuesday, Feb. 7. Both have been promoted to new positions. Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
First woman, Latina to serve as YMCA executive director By Lau Guzmán Record-Journal staff
Officer Michael Patterson poses with his K9 partner, Penny, at Emma Hart Willard School on Thursday, Feb. 9. Nicole Zappone, The Citizen
Students get to know BPD’s lucky Penny By Nicole Zappone The Citizen
Last week, Berlin elementary school students were treated to a visit from the newest member of the police department, K9 officer Penny, and her handler, Officer Michael Patterson. “This is a great experience for me, and we are both learning on the fly. I’m excited about the process,” Patterson said. See Penny, A14
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MERIDEN — Last week, the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA announced two promotions of key officers. The former branch executive director of the Meriden YMCA Steven Markoja was promoted to chief operating officer and Carmen Chaparro was promoted to Markoja’s former role as executive director — the first woman and the first Latina to fill that role. Markoja joined the YMCA 24 years ago as a child care teacher and has worked in several positions for the organization, including Youth Development, Membership and Operations. “I enjoy having the ability to grow new programs and work with a lot of people. It’s exciting to get up every day and do what I love to do,” he said of his new posi-
tion. “I want to continue to do what I’ve always done – to be a community asset and help the YMCA.” CEO of the Meriden-New Britain-Berlin YMCA John Benigni also highlighted Markoja’s experience in different departments. “Steve’s leadership skills, knowledge of the inner workings of operations across the YMCA branches, hands-on approach to working with the team and his ability to execute are an asset to our Y and the communities we serve,” he said. Even though he’s leaving behind his role as executive director, Markoja highlighted the work of his successor. “I’m excited for Carmen. She’s earned this role,” he said. See YMCA, A8
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