Stephen Joseph Raffay

Background

Raffay, Stephen Joseph was born on October 25, 1927 in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Stephen John and Stephanie (Severa) Raffay.

Education

Raffay earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1950 and a Master of Science degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Business in 1951. He became a Certified Public Accountant in New York State in 1956 and attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in 1975.

Career

While completing his studies at Columbia University, Raffay served as a sergeant in the Army of the United States. He began his professional career with Arthur Andersen & Company in New York City, where he worked as a senior accountant from 1951 to 1956.

In 1956, Raffay joined Emhart Corporation, a diversified manufacturing company based in Farmington, Connecticut, as assistant controller. He served as assistant treasurer from 1961 to 1963 and treasurer from 1963 to 1967. From 1967 to 1972, he was vice president for international operations, overseeing the company’s expanding overseas business activities. Between 1972 and 1979, he served as vice president and group president, followed by executive vice president from 1979 to 1984.

From 1984 to 1987, Raffay served as vice chairman, chief administrative officer, and director of Emhart Corporation. During his tenure, he supervised international manufacturing and business operations involving nearly 150 companies in domestic and overseas markets. He played a major role in developing business relationships across the Pacific Basin, including Japan, China, Taiwan, and Singapore, as well as in Europe, South Africa, and Russia.

After leaving Emhart, Raffay became senior vice president for corporate development at Dexter Corporation in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, serving from 1987 to 1990. Beginning in 1990, he served on the boards of numerous companies, including Reflexite Corporation, Fresnel Optics, Inc., Coating Sciences, Scharr Industries, United Plumbing Technologies, Superior Electric Company, Life Technologies, EDAK Technologies Corporation, Rossi Corporation, and Keeney Manufacturing Company. He also served as a director of the Bank of New England and was one of the founders of the Trust Company of Connecticut.

Achievements

• Raffay built a long executive career in international manufacturing management and corporate administration, overseeing large-scale global operations during the expansion of American industry into overseas markets. He was also recognized for his civic and philanthropic involvement in cultural and community organizations in Connecticut.

Membership

Raffay was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants. He served as a director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra for approximately 40 years, was president of the Hartford Arts Council, and served as a director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford.

Connections

Married Audree Eugenia Kuehne, September 12, 1953. Children: Andrea, Stephen, Leslie.

Father:

Stephen John Raffay

Mother:

Stephanie (Severa) Raffay

Spouse:

Audree Eugenia Kuehne

child:

Leslie Raffay

child:

Stephen Raffay

child:

Andrea Raffay