Our Team
Meet the Hamilton Connections leadership team.
A Message From Management
Hamilton Connections has been in business since 1986, providing staffing services and employment opportunities to companies and candidates throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.
Robert Hamilton started Hamilton Connections as a boutique professional direct placement agency in Meriden, CT. I joined the company in 1998 and helped to grow the company over the next several years taking on new responsibilities including opening new office locations, expanding our businesses footprint to better serve our clients throughout CT and MA, and hiring and assembling recruiting teams.
Throughout this process, Hamilton Connections has been fortunate to hire on exceptional talent, and these individuals are the backbone of the successful company we are today. Hamilton Connections puts its reputation on the line every day with confidence because of the experience, dedication, and loyalty of our team.
We focus on building long-term relationships with our customers, and we are determined to cultivate deep-rooted partnerships to fully understand our customers’ staffing needs. Hamilton Connections is committed to deliver personalized service to each of its customers because each customer is unique.
At Hamilton Connections, there is no success without mutual success. Whether you are a candidate looking for employment or a company looking for qualified employees, it is a win-win situation: We need you and you need us! And, as we continue to grow and improve, we welcome both compliments and criticism. Companies become great by effectively handling both!
To customers and candidates, thank you for allowing us to serve you over the years.
For prospects, we look forward to our future partnerships!
Anthony Bellucci
Vice President & COO
Our Leadership Team
Anthony Bellucci
Vice President
Anthony joined Hamilton Connections in 1998 as an intern and became a full-time recruiter in 2000 after graduating from Clark University with a bachelor's degree in business management and economics. He was promoted to branch manager in 2002 and opened the East Hartford, CT office. After promotions to district manager and general manager, respectively, Anthony became Robert Hamilton's business partner and company vice president in 2007, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. Anthony continues this role today with Judith Hamilton as his business partner.
Patrick Whalen
General Manager
Patrick has a Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Connecticut. Pat started with Hamilton Connections back in October of 2000, working as a recruiter when our East Hartford branch first opened. Since then, he has worked in a variety of roles including sales, business development and management, in several offices and multiple territories. He is currently the General Manager of Hamilton Connections, overseeing the operation of our company.
Martin Brickel
Regional Manager
Martin started his professional career as a salesperson in the insurance industry. He joined Hamilton Connections in 2006 where he excelled in both recruiting and business development, and he quickly found himself in a management position. After leading the East Hartford office to unprecedented success, Martin was promoted to district manager, then to his current position of regional manager in which he directs the operations of three offices in CT. Martin lives in Watertown, CT with his wife and two children.
Marie Zagorski
Controller
Marie joined Hamilton Connections in 1995 as a clerk in the payroll department, and as the company has grown, so has her role. Today, Marie is the company controller and manages accounting, payroll, and human resources. In this highly visible position, Marie is responsible for accurately and efficiently disbursing wages to every company employee, processing and reporting financial information, and ensuring Hamilton Connections is in compliance with all local and federal regulations. As its longest tenured employee, Marie is a prominent player in the history of Hamilton Connections.
Dave Ferrigno
Branch Manager
David has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Southern Connecticut State University. He started his career with Hamilton Connections in 2001 as a placement coordinator and has the unique experience of working in several different Hamilton Connections locations. David was promoted to his first manager position in 2004 and is currently the branch manager of the Milford, CT office. As a recruiter and manager, he has achieved a strong reputation with candidates and clients alike. In his personal time David enjoys spending time with family, going to the gym, and hiking.
Ryan Merkent
Branch Manager
Ryan has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Central Connecticut State University. Ryan started with Hamilton Connections in July 2010, working as an intern in our Meriden, CT office. He has worked in multiple offices and territories and currently manages the Hamden, CT office.
Brian Barbieri
Branch Manager
Brian graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in business. He joined Hamilton Connections in 2012 as a recruiter in the Fairfield, CT office, and after only a few years, he was promoted to branch manager of the office. Brian has achieved great success by building and maintaining strong relationships with client companies, and managing and mentoring a talented, hard working group of recruiters and staff members.
Christopher Vensel
Branch Manager
Chris holds a bachelor's degree in business management from Southern Connecticut State University. He joined Hamilton Connections in 2014 as a recruiter in the East Hartford, CT office and was promoted to branch manager of the Waterbury, CT office in 2021. Chris's prior experience in sales, marketing and management, as well as warehouse and construction has served him well during his career in temporary staffing.
Kevin Van Fleet
Branch Manager
Kevin received his bachelor's degree in business management from the University of New Haven in 2016. He joined Hamilton Connections in 2017 as a recruiter and was promoted to branch manager of the East Hartford, CT office in 2021. Through hard work and dedication, Kevin has earned the respect and trust of both his client companies and his peers.
Beatris Rodriguez
Risk Manager
Beatris started her career with Hamilton Connections as an administrative assistant and was quickly promoted to recruiter. In 2013, she became the company's risk manager, a position in which she is tasked with identifying financial, safety and security risks, reducing exposure, managing loss control and ensuring safety compliance. Beatris is a strategic planner and problem solver and with her years of staffing industry experience, she is uniquely qualified for this critical role, and an asset to the company.
Robert Hamilton, Founder
Robert Hamilton (1949-2021) was a decorated veteran, serving his country courageously in Vietnam where he earned a Purple Heart fighting with the 101st Airborne. Robert was earnestly aware of the chance he was given to return home after the war and pursue his family life and a fulfilling career. He then began his career working for the Labor Department helping veterans find work. The experience of serving in active duty deeply influenced his foundational principles of service, integrity, and compassion in business. Alongside his wife Judith, Robert co-founded Hamilton Connections in 1986 as a direct hire technical recruiting firm and expanded their business model in the early 1990s to encompass the light industrial arena.
Robert felt that connection to his local community was fundamental. He sat on the boards of Leeway, Inc., the Meriden YMCA, and Bread for Friends, all non-profit agencies with the goal of helping those in need. By remaining true to his vision, Robert was able to develop long-lasting professional relationships, loyal clients, and dedicated employees. Hamilton Connections’ remains committed to the values and principles in which Robert believed and exemplified during his lifetime, with Judith Hamilton continuing her role within Hamilton Connections, serving as Board President.