Laviero receives the Distinguished Service Award from the Const. Institute

Deborah Laviero, vice president of marketing and business development for OFI, a commercial interiors company, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award given by the Construction Institute (CI), a division of the University of Hartford. "Laviero is among our most trusted advisors," William Cianci, CI executive director, said. "Her dedication goes beyond our organization; she is a vital link for people throughout the architectural, engineering and construction community." The award was presented by the Construction Institute at its 34th Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. Laviero was the assistant director of the CI from 1999 to 2001 and has remained an active volunteer. "My involvement has been a great learning experience and has introduced me to many talented professionals and friends," she said. She currently chairs the membership committee and board of directors. During the past 10 years she has served on the board of advisors, golf committee and was the Facility Management Conference and Exposition co-chair for several years. She has also participated in special sessions of the Construction Institute's strategic planning and advisory committees. The Construction Institute's membership committee co-chair Daniel Bauer, vice president of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.'s Conn. office, echoed Cianci's praise, "She is a master at engaging people, and bringing out their best for everyone's benefit. She is a strong force that brings many diverse people together to support community and business." Over the years, Laviero has taken an active interest and participated in dozens of industry and community organizations. Among her accomplishments: she started the ACE Mentor Program Conn. chapter in 2000 and has since served on the Hartford chapter board of directors, Annual State Dinner and local chapter committee; is a corporator and volunteer, chair of golf committee, special community events and former chairwoman for The Miracle of St. Anthony Community event at Bristol Hospital; a board overseer and business committee member for The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts; and is an involved member of many civic organizations. She also chairs OFI's "green group" the internal sustainability committee she implemented to support wellness initiatives for employees and the greater Hartford community. OFI has been a leading provider of commercial interiors in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts for more than 40 years. In addition to its furniture lines, OFI offers owners, architects and designers a full range of support services including space planning, project coordination, installation and warehousing, and move management. Some of the region's largest companies and institutions are among its clients including ESPN, Webster Bank, ConnectiCare, The Hartford, University of Massachusetts and Konica. An employee-owned company with offices in Newington, CT and Springfield, MA, OFI last year earned a Beautification Award from the Newington Chamber of Commerce for the energy-efficient renovation of 12,600 square feet of vacant office space in Newington Center for its new headquarters. OFI's signature product line is Herman Miller and is among a select group of dealers in the Certified Herman Miller Network. Herman Miller is known for partnering with the world's top designers, and currently the global leader in sustainable office products. For more information on OFI visit www.myofi.com About Construction Institute The Construction Institute, a division of The University of Hartford, is a non-profit, non-partisan association of diverse professionals working to improve the construction industry by sharing experiences and knowledge, advancing relationships, and developing business leaders. Visit www.construction.org. Contact Information: Geryl A. Rose, APR, CPSM Representing OFI gerylrose@sbcglobal.net 860-712-6643