Longtime President and CEO Ayn S. LaPlant announced her plans to retire this year, stepping down after a nearly 50-year career. While it may seem like the passing of an era, and in some ways, it is, Beekley Corporation will be in good hands. Maureen O. Gallo, who had previously held the position of Executive Vice President will now take the helm as president of the company.
Ayn remembered for her unparalleled dedication, preparation, and enthusiasm
Nat Messina, CEO, and Chairman of the Board for Beekley Corporation stated in his address to Beekley Associates, “I have had the distinct honor and privilege to work closely with Ayn during the past 22 years on matters related to corporate governance, strategic planning, and shareholder relations.
"Her dedication, preparation, and enthusiasm are unparalleled. Under her leadership, Beekley has grown significantly while retaining its small company personality, distinguishing itself as not only a high-quality business partner, a preferred employer recognized as one of the ‘Best places to Work in CT,’ but also a generous supporter of the city of Bristol and the greater Hartford community serving those in need. On behalf of the Board and the Beekley family, we wish Ayn well in her much-deserved retirement.”
Fourth person and second woman to hold title of President in 90 years
Maureen will be the fourth person to hold the title of President in Beekley’s 90-year history. She has been with the company since 2000 and has held several leadership positions during that time including Director of Human Assets, Director of Operations, and most recently, Executive Vice President. Maureen holds a BS Degree in Business Management with a specialization in Human Resources. She is a member of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence and has led the Beekley lean journey for more than a decade.
Maureen credited Ayn as her greatest champion and mentioned how fortunate she was to have Ayn as her coach and mentor. “I have learned from the best and cannot thank her enough for the opportunities to experience, learn and grow leading to this important next step. It is with great honor and excitement to have been offered this incredible opportunity to serve as President and continue my amazing journey with this great small company.
“As President, I am committed to upholding the values and vision of our organization while striving for excellence in every aspect of our operations. I look forward to collaborating with each member of our team to drive innovation, foster growth, and achieve our shared goals.”
Succession planning at its best
From my own personal standpoint, I feel that we at Beekley Corporation are very fortunate to work for an organization that has such a strong focus on coaching, mentoring, leadership development, and succession planning. Where a change in leadership can foster uncertainty and trepidation in other companies, our experience has been the exact opposite. While we will miss Ayn and find her retirement bittersweet, we rest secure in the knowledge that she left a legacy and culture of excellence that will continue under Maureen’s leadership .
Mary Lang Pelton
Director of Marketing Communications
