(l-r): Simon F. Etzel, Jr., principal and SVP, KBE Building Corporation; Andrew H. Banoff, president and CEO, Jewish Senior Services / photo by Regina Madwed of Capitol PhotoInteractive
Farmington, CT – At the Jewish Senior Services’ Fall Gala, featuring a private performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Art Garfunkel, KBE Building Corp. principal and SVP Simon Etzel received the Arthur and Gladys Lunin Humanitarian Award.
Jewish Senior Services in Fairfield provides senior care throughout Southern Connecticut, including the second-largest nursing home and rehabilitation center in the state.
“I am honored that Jewish Senior Services chose me as this year’s recipient,” said Etzel, who joined KBE in 1987 and became a principal in 2007 with fellow senior executives Mike Kolakowski and Eric Brown. “Being recognized in this way is truly humbling.”
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During the past several decades, Etzel has had a significant impact as a philanthropist, business leader, and community supporter. He chairs the Board of Trustees for The Cove Center for Grieving Children and is on the Advisory Council for Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven.
Etzel is also the leader of KBE’s corporate philanthropic program, 50 Ways to Make a Difference. Established in 2009 to celebrate the firm’s new ownership, name change, and 50 years in business, 50 Ways has helped KBE associates donate more than $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to charitable causes benefiting children, seniors, and military veterans in Connecticut and Maryland.
This year’s primary 50 Ways beneficiaries are students within Connecticut’s technical high school system. In June, KBE awarded $17,000 in scholarships to 34 students from each of the state’s active technical high schools.
KBE was also the Founding Sponsor of a Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) original documentary, Made in Connecticut, which premiered on Oct. 23 – the same evening Etzel received his award.
“I missed the documentary premiere – but I did enjoy a moving performance by Art Garfunkel,” said Etzel. “I’m looking forward to watching the full documentary when it re-airs on CPTV this weekend.”
Besides contributing to philanthropic leadership at KBE, Etzel oversees procurement services with a special focus on senior living projects while mastering the assembly and management of design-build teams, including the team for the historic Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse project in Torrington and the STEM Residence Hall at the University of Connecticut.
