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07/13/2016 08:30 AMJeff Bradanini was born and raised in North Haven. Now, having completed his college career, including an MBA in marketing from Sacred Heart University, he was excited to buy his own home in his hometown this past December.
“I always loved North Haven growing up—that’s where my friends and family still live and somewhere I always saw myself living,” says Jeff. “The town’s full of great people and a community I want to part of.”
A 2004 graduate of North Haven High School, Jeff played football, basketball, and baseball for the Indians, though baseball was his main sport. After winning a state championship with North Haven, he went on to play Division I baseball for four years at Sacred Heart University with his team winning the conference championship for the first time in school history his sophomore year.
Having been involved with sports throughout his life, Jeff began giving back when he was young. He volunteered his time coaching in the various youth programs in town and youth camps.
For the past two years, Jeff has been the director of marketing at Beirne Wealth Consulting, LLC, in Milford. His company puts an emphasis on giving back to the community. During his time at Beirne Wealth Consulting, Jeff has volunteered in many capacities, most of the time for organizations that focus on youth.
“We do a lot of philanthropy work here,” says Jeff, who began his career at MoGo Sport, a company that invented flavored mouthguards. “When you’re interviewing, they touched upon it, but I didn’t know the extent. A lot of what we do is centered around giving kids who don’t have a lot of opportunities a better opportunity.”
Jeff has always enjoyed being around younger kids and has found that his athletic experiences help him make a connection. His company works with the All Stars Project out of Bridgeport and last year Jeff mentored the intern hired through the partnership.
“He was a really great kid who was also a sports guy so you have that immediate connection,” says Jeff, who played baseball through age 26 and now plays in two recreational softball leagues, a co-ed kickball league, and golfs. “For him to get out of Bridgeport and be able to see the business world was great. I know he got a lot out of it. We still talk from time to time and he goes to the University of Bridgeport.”
In addition to working with the All Stars Project, Jeff and his company also work closely with the Boys & Girls Club. Jeff was recently nominated for a “New Haven’s Finest” award in conjunction with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) due to his volunteer work.
According to the website, finest.cff.org, the award honors “professionals from around New Haven County who are impacting our community in a positive way by showing success in their field and leadership in their circle of influence.”
Other 2016 honorees are Michelle Bonora, Trisha Braumann, John Broker, Adam Canosa, Chris Caporale, Laura Clark, Mark Dilungo, Roslyn Gilhuly, Laurian Kehoe, Michael Kobylanski, Tim Larson, Clifford Lynch, Carmine Montuori, and John “Cadillac” Saville.
“Being nominated is great because I’m a humble person, but it’s nice to be recognized,” says Jeff. “It’s a proud moment for me, my family, and the town of North Haven.”
Leading up to the dinner, which is Friday, July 29 at the Country House in East Haven, award recipients are fundraising for CFF and attending networking happy hours and events. At these events, Jeff has heard those living with cystic fibrosis share their stories. The recipients also set a fundraising goal. Jeff’s goal was $1,500 and he has doubled it so far.
“Before I was nominated, I didn’t know much about disease or how impactful it was in someone’s life,” says Jeff. “A girl who had had double lung transplant came to talk to us and to see her positive outlook really makes a difference and makes you realize what you have. Hearing their stories gives you a meaning behind raising the money.”
According to the website, recipients have raised more than $100,000 since 2013. Jeff is happy to be a part of it, especially after learning the difference the research is making.
“The advancement they’ve made in treatment for this disease has come a long way,” says Jeff. “In the ’50s if someone made it to 20, they were considered extremely lucky. Now people are living into their 60s and 70s and have a good life. It’s nice to know you’re doing something for a good cause.”
While this is the first year that Jeff is raising money as an award recipient, it’s not the first time he has been involved with the event. Three years ago, one of his best friends, Luciano Havens, was nominated for the award. Jeff attended the dinner then and has every year since then. He has formed relationships with people he has met over the years and plans to continue helping the CFF in the future.
In addition to continuing work with the CFF, Jeff is looking forward to getting to know the three new interns from the All Stars Project that recently began working with his company.
“I always want to give back to the community and not ever take anything for granted,” says Jeff. “I just want to make a difference and leave the world a better place.”
To donate, visit finest.cff.org/jeff-bradaninis-finest. For information or tickets, contact Maria Porto at 860-632-7300 or mporto@cff.org.