It was our privilege recently to welcome Loren Clarke as a new member of the Rotary Club of Avon-Canton. After being introduced to the club earlier in the year, she attended several meetings as an enthusiastic visitor before being received into full membership on June 16.
Loren is the Branch Manager of Northwest Bank in Avon, on Simsbury Road, Route 10. During her first year as manager, the Avon Branch won the Best Large Business award from the Chamber of Commerce.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, she lived in Massapequa NY (Long Island) and then in Avon from the age of 7. She graduated from Avon High School in '92 and currently resides in Simsbury with her 9-year-old son, Tyler (TJ) and husband, Matthew. "We have been married for 20 years," says Loren. "Matthew and I met when I was 11 years old at Simsbury Lanes, where we had a group of friends that has stayed together ever since, 6 marriages and 8 kids later. I have a wonderful, smart son that has CP but is a determined fighter and surprises us every day. We were told that we couldn’t have children and then 10 years later discovered that sometimes God has other plans."
Loren has earned two 2 Bachelor of Science Degrees, one in Business Marketing and the other in Merchandising. She also spent a semester in London and traveled all over Europe. She started her career in the fashion world as a buyer and was lucky enough to visit sites throughout Asia. "Unfortunately," says Loren, "I had to make a choice of what I wanted to do when Weathervane and Filenes closed. I spent some time in Real Estate, and then I decided to go into the Banking world. I am happy I did. As a banker I discovered that I can help people with one of the most important needs in someone's life, the assets they have spent a lifetime working for."
Loren is happy to have become a Rotarian because, she says, "I really enjoy and I am honored to help others."
We are delighted to have her as an enthusiastic fellow Rotarian.