About

The Midstate Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1896, is an independent, private, not-for-profit membership service organization providing over 125 years of service to the community. We are more than 450 members strong- we invite every business in central Connecticut to join us!

MEET THE CHAMBER STAFF

A picture of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce staff in their conference room.

Pictured above (from left to right): Doreen Holloway, Rosanne Ford, Darlene Belanger, Arlene Hamelin, and Mary Headd

Rosanne P. Ford, Chamber President

Rosanne Ford has been with the Chamber since 2001 after enjoying successful careers in the hospitality, tourism and insurance industries. She graduated from O.H. Platt High School in Meriden, then went on to University of New Haven to receive a BS degree in Hotel / Restaurant Management. In 2005, Rosanne was promoted to her past position of Vice President, Membership Services. In 2006, Rosanne was recognized with the prestigious Charlotte Marshall Prothero Staff Award from the CT Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. In 2007, Rosanne was honored with the Women and Families Center, Women in Leadership Award (Business Category). In 2008, Rosanne successfully completed a rigorous four year Chamber executive leadership program at the Institute of Organizational Management at Villanova University in Philadelphia, PA. And, in 2010 she was the recipient of the Girls Inc. Strong, Smart and Bold Award. In 2019, she was named Interim President after Sean W. Moore re-located with his wife Kelley, to Nashville, TN. In early 2020, Rosanne accepted the permanent position of Chamber President. Her hobbies include calligraphy, cribbage, beach time, spending time with friends and family and anything Red Sox.

Rosanne currently serves or has recently served with the following organizations:

United Way of Meriden & Wallingford of Board of Directors
Past Member of the St. Joseph School Board
Member of Meriden AOH (Ancient Order of Hibernians) Club
Past Member of Women and Families Center Board of Directors
Member of Meriden Bicentennial Marketing and Publicity Committee
CT Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (CACCE)
New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (NEACCE)
2016 co-recipient of the Meriden Rotary Club Howard Houston Citizen of the Year Award with Sean W. Moore

Darlene Belanger, Office Assistant

Darlene joined the Chamber in January 2007. She has an Associate Degree in Business Management from Quinnipiac College (now Quinnipiac University). She is a life long resident of Meriden. She is married to Bruce Belanger and they have 2 children. Both Bruce and Darlene are very involved in the Meriden Franco American Club. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, cross stitch, knitting, boating and fishing.

Darlene has been a bookkeeper for over 30 years currently working as follows:

Financial Secretary of the Meriden Franco American Club’s House Committee, Bookkeeper for Larry’s Land Clearing LLC, Office Manager for GRB Tree Cutters.

Arlene Hamelin, Office Assistant

Arlene Hamlin Arlene came to the Midstate Chamber of Commerce after a long career in nursing at Midstate Medical Center, here in Meriden. She was born in Canterbury and attended Meriden/Wallingford Hospital School of Nursing. She now lives in Meriden with her husband, Jim, who she met while attending nursing school. Arlene enjoys working at the Midstate Chamber as it keeps her young and in touch with the Meriden Community! In her free time, Arlene enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling in the Hamelin motorhome!