Milford United Way CEO Gary Johnson Retires After 44 Years

Milford CT

06 June, 2022

4:31 PM

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MILFORD, CT — The Milford United Way has named Barry Berman as its new CEO and president. Berman is replacing Gary Johnson, who is retiring after 44 years. "These are challenging times for so many," Berman said in a statement. "Milford United Way, with support from its donors and partner agencies, creates a healthier, safer and stronger Milford. It helps provide a place for those without a home, meals for those who are hungry, aid for people struggling with substance abuse, education assistance, and comfort for families in need." Berman is the former CEO of CRN International and Connecticut Radio Network. "Gary Johnson is a beloved and iconic figure in the Milford Community; he will be sorely missed by all," the Milford United Way board said in a statement. "There is no way to thank Gary for the 44-year legacy he leaves behind. Barry Berman has huge shoes to fill; the Board is confident he is the right man for the job and up to the task." More from Milford United Way: Berman's experience spans business and nonprofit sectors. Under his direction, CRN, a marketingand media company, created its own charitable foundation called CRN Helping Hands. Itcontributed to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, hurricane victims, cancer patients and families of employees, among others, and funded a scholarship to the Neighborhood Music School in NewHaven. Berman served on the board of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center and was the marketingchair of the Governor's Council on Economic Competitiveness and Technology, creating the "YouBelong in Connecticut" economic development initiative. He was also on the boards of the NewHaven Symphony Orchestra, Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven Park Friends, Jewish CommunityCenter of Greater New Haven and Congregation Mishkan Israel. At CRN, he initiated ski and beach reporting services for radio stations across the country, newsprogramming in Connecticut, play-by-play broadcasts for University of Connecticut and VillanovaUniversity basketball, University of Connecticut football, New York Giants football, Wimbledontennis, marketing campaigns for Fortune 500 companies that aired on thousands of radio stations, and podcasts for Car & Driver and Cosmopolitan magazines, among others. Berman was inducted in the first class of the Connecticut Business Hall of Fame and was a finalistfor Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year award and received awards from Adweek andMediaweek for Most Creative Use of Radio and Most Creative Use of Television. CRN was one ofInc. Magazine's 500 Fastest Growing Companies for two consecutive years. United Way of Milford was founded in 1957 to work with community leaders to address residents'most pressing needs.