Barry Berman, former chief executive officer of CRN International and Connecticut Radio Network, has been named CEO and president of Milford United Way. He succeeds Gary Johnson, who is retiring after 44 years.
“I’m honored, humbled and pumped to lead this phenomenal organization and I’m excited about using my experience and skills to help those in need,” Berman said. The Milford United Way supports more than 20 nonprofit agencies and at-risk individuals.
“These are challenging times for so many,” said Berman, adding that “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.”
“Gary Johnson is a beloved and iconic figure in the Milford Community; he will be sorely missed by all,” the United Way’s Board of Directors said in a press 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. We are excited to welcome Barry to the helm. Barry has the comprehensive skill set to take Gary’s legacy forward in a very positive and productive way for the benefit of the Milford community at large.”
Berman’s experience spans business and nonprofit sectors. Under his direction, CRN, a marketing and media company, created its own charitable foundation called CRN Helping Hands. It contributed 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 New Haven.
Berman served on the board of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center and was the marketing chair of the Governor’s Council on Economic Competitiveness and Technology, creating the “You Belong in Connecticut” economic development initiative. He was also on the boards of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven Park Friends, Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven and Congregation Mishkan Israel.
At CRN, he initiated ski and beach reporting services for radio stations across the country, news programming in Connecticut, play-by-play broadcasts for the University of Connecticut and Villanova University basketball, University of Connecticut football, New York Giants football, Wimbledon tennis, 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 finalist for Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year award and received awards from Adweek and Mediaweek for Most Creative Use of Radio and Most Creative Use of Television. CRN was one of Inc. 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.
