Michael Fedele
2026 Person of Vision
On January 3, 2007, Michael Fedele was sworn in as the 107th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. Born in Minturno, Italy, on March 30, 1955, he immigrated to Connecticut with his parents in 1958 and grew up in Stamford, where he has lived and worked for most of his life. He attended Stamford public schools, graduating from Westhill High School, and later attended Fairfield University and Norwalk State Technical College.
Mr. Fedele is the founder and Chairman of Stamford-based Pinnacle Group, an information technology company he established in 1983. He helped build the company’s presence in the technology industry, and Pinnacle Group has received numerous awards for its work. Fedele also began his public service in 1983, serving two terms on Stamford’s Board of Representatives before being elected to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1992. Representing Stamford and New Canaan until 2002, he held several leadership positions and served on committees focused on insurance, real estate, banking, transportation, and workforce development.
During his legislative career, Fedele supported initiatives focused on economic development, workforce training, business growth, and insurance reform. He played a key role in shaping the 1997 Managed Care Reform Bill and legislation addressing insurance coverage for mastectomies and prostate cancer. His public service earned him numerous honors, including the Connecticut Association of Life Underwriters’ Legislator of the Year Award and recognition from the Connecticut Legal Immigrant and Refugee Coalition. In 2002, he received an award from the Italian government for his work on behalf of Italians living abroad.
As Lieutenant Governor, Fedele focused on economic development, business outreach, and promoting Connecticut both nationally and internationally. He led trade and humanitarian missions to Europe and China, served on several state task forces, met regularly with constituents and business owners, and fulfilled a commitment to visit all 169 Connecticut towns during his four-year tenure. He also became a regular guest on Fox Business Channel’s Bulls and Bears Happy Hour and was invited to lecture at Harvard University’s Kennedy School on politics, campaigns, voter education, and public service.
Fedele has remained deeply involved in the Stamford community and civic organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of the Stamford Police Commission and has held leadership and board positions with Stamford Hospital, the University of New Haven, the Stamford Education Foundation, and other local organizations. He has also been an active supporter of Connecticut’s military and veterans, including Wreaths Across America and American Warrior’s Connecticut Honor Flight. In 2010, he was knighted by the Vatican and Italian Government as a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre. Fedele and his wife, Carol, have been married for 50 years and have three children, Michael, Briana, and Alesandra, and eight grandchildren.
Colin Cosell
Master of Ceremonies
Colin Cosell is a Public Address Announcer for the New York Mets, Army Football, and a host of other professional and NCAA D1 sports. With a 25+ year career in radio, television, stage, and film, Colin has pretty much done it all, winning 3 Emmy Awards along the way. When he’s not in the booth, Colin can be found hosting and emceeing events ranging from massive corporate summits to nonprofit fundraisers.
Colin is a born-and-raised Stamford, CT native. He and his wife, Julia, daughter, Eloise, and dog, Bagel, currently reside on Long Island (but Colin still keeps his 203 phone number).
