United Way and FOX61 Honor Robert E. Patricelli with George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award

HARTFORD, Conn. (July 28, 2026) – United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and FOX61 announced that Robert E. Patricelli, Strategic Advisor at InTandem Capital Partners and Connecticut native, will receive the 2026 George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was created to celebrate individuals who have outstanding personal and professional achievements and have dedicated themselves to philanthropy and community with the goal of making the future brighter for generations to come. It is named in honor of the late George Bahamonde, who served as the President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut for 12 years and was passionate about educational outcomes and opportunities for local children.

Bob Patricelli has spent more than 60 years in leadership roles in the federal government, the healthcare industry and in philanthropy. He began his professional journey with 12 years of service on Capitol Hill and in high-level positions in the Johnson, Nixon, and Ford Administrations before moving back to his native city to launch his nearly 50 years in the healthcare and health insurance businesses.

“The George Bahamonde Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who are rooted in philanthropy, both personally and professionally. Bob Patricelli’s professional career is remarkable and his lifelong commitment to serving others truly defines his legacy,” said Eric Harrison, President and CEO of United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. “Bob’s philanthropic impact is creating lasting change for Hartford’ students and their families. In addition, his work around women’s healthcare has made – and will continue to make – a tremendous positive impact in Connecticut for years to come.”

While his career greatly impacted the health industry, Patricelli’s philanthropic work has had an equally strong impact on education. In 2011, the Patricelli Center for Entrepreneurship was established at Wesleyan University thanks to a contribution from the Robert and Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation. In addition, Hartford Promise recently created the Patricelli Scholars Program, through which 10 of Hartford Promise’s top college students annually will be selected to receive mentorship from board members, specialized leadership training, and access to a network of civic and professional leaders. This program was made possible through the largest single gift in Hartford Promise’s history from Patricelli earlier this year.

“To be honored by the United Way, our community’s pre-eminent charity focused on issues of poverty, is a highpoint in my professional life,” Robert E. Patricelli. 

Patricelli will be recognized on October 28 at the 4th Annual ImpaCT Awards Ceremony, an event created by United Way and FOX61 to recognize and honor individuals, groups, organizations and companies who make a significant contribution to healthcare, housing, financial empowerment and education in Connecticut. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, there are eight additional recognition categories. Finalists were announced July 21, 2026 and are listed at CTImpactAwards.org.  

“On behalf of FOX61, I am honored to congratulate Robert E. Patricelli on receiving United Way’s Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s ImpaCT Awards. Bob’s vision, dedication, and commitment to his state and community in Hartford is transforming young people’s lives and their families. His career of public service is also a great example to follow and embodies the very spirit of service and community that the ImpaCT Awards were created to celebrate, and we are proud to recognize him,” shared Chris Topf, President and General Manager, FOX61. 

The ImpaCT Awards Ceremony will be broadcast on FOX61 and streamed on FOX61+, featured in a one-hour special and available for on-demand streaming on FOX61+.

Sponsorships, tables and tickets are on sale now at CTImpactAwards.org and are eligible for charitable tax deductions.  

Funds raised benefit United Way-supported initiatives that end poverty by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy so everyone succeeds.     

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About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut    

United Way mobilizes resources and aligns strategic partners to end poverty in the 860 region by closing gaps in child literacy, housing, wages and life expectancy with the goal of a region where there are equal opportunities for everyone to succeed. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.   

About FOX61 

FOX61, Connecticut’s News Station, is one of the nation’s most highly rated FOX Network affiliates, providing Connecticut viewers with outstanding entertainment, news, sports and local event programming. FOX61 News is the market leader in news, producing more news and winning more awards than any station in Connecticut. FOX61 now airs more than 61 hours of local news and public affairs programming each week, more than any other market station and provides 24 x 7 live streamed content on FOX61+, available on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.   

CW20, one of the top performing CW network affiliates in the U.S., delivers the best in off network and first-run syndicated programming, movies and sports. The station is home to the Connecticut Lottery drawings and broadcasts major community events and sports including New York Mets Baseball, UConn Football and UConn Baseball.     

FOX61 and CW20 are owned by TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA), an innovative media company that owns and operates 64 television stations in 51 markets. For more information, please visit www.fox61.com.     

About Robert E. Patricelli

Bob Patricelli is currently a member of the boards of the Ocean Exploration Trust (chair), the Bushnell Memorial Hall (former chair), and Hartford Promise (co-chair). He has formerly served on the boards of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (chair), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Curagen Corporation (chair), Newman’s Own Foundation, Northeast Utilities, and Hartford Life. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

He grew up in Hartford, attended Wesleyan University and Harvard Law School, and was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Paris. He and his wife, Margaret, live on a horse farm in Simsbury, CT.