Meet Our Staff

Owner

Jim Lubinski

JFL Marketing opened its doors back in 1984 in Melrose, Massachusetts. During the first six years, JFL Marketing provided marketing services to the shopping center industry in Massachusetts with clients such as Meadow Glen Mall in Medford, Child World in Natick and the Natick Mall. Over the next few years, our marketing services expanded to include Walpole Mall, Middlesex Mall in Burlington, Cape Cod Mall, Lafayette Place in Boston and the Methuen Mall.

JFL Marketing provided marketing services to the medical community as well, with clients such as Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, Lynn Union Hospital and various individual practitioners. JFL Marketing also published its own quarterly full color magazine called HealthWise Magazine.Our expertise in publishing high quality shopping center and medical promotional pieces as well as our own magazine, provided JFL Marketing the opportunity to fine-tune our printing and publication skills.

With a dedication to concentrate on local community services, JFL Marketing recognized the need for a phonebook that would provide high quality, vital community information, and complete and accurate telephone listings to individual cities and towns. All of this with a 100% guaranteed circulation to households and businesses.

Office Team

Jason Capodanno, Chief Operating Officer

Jason was selected as COO of Community Connection in July of 2010. Previous to this Jason was the Vice President of Localtel and Page One Local from 2006 to 2010 and with the Berry Company prior to that. In each of these experiences Jason was able to better help these companies position themselves in the ever-changing small business environment and help increase revenue and expand on the products and services to help the local small business be in a better position to succeed.

Jason brings a vast knowledge of marketing expertise and product development to Community Connection. Jason's biggest goal is to help simplify the marketing experience that small to mid-size companies face today while helping them grow in market share. With the many different opportunities that local businesses have today to promote their business it can become very confusing, time consuming and often costly. With the addition of Jason in the leadership role at Community Connection we will be able to streamline options that local businesses have, simplify the choices that these businesses make all while keeping it at a very affordable investment to their business

Valerie Santorella, Publication Services

Valerie has been with Community Connection since 1995. She manages the data system that produces our telephone directories.

She is an invaluable part of the company who handles many company related tasks; from contract processing and accounts receivable to listings acquisition and book production. She also provides internal office support to the sales staff and management teams.

Valerie resides on the North Shore and enjoys reading, the great outdoors and spending time with her family.

Diane Pizzotti, Publication Services

Diane has worked at Community Connection since 1994. She has held a variety of positions during the years. Diane started as a part-time office administrator then joined the sales force selling yellow page advertising for our print books. Currently, Diane is a vital part of our publication team responsible for proofing and editing our yellow page print books and new coupon books. She is a lifelong resident of the north shore area and enjoys travel and cooking in her free time.

Robin Raymondi, Financial Services

Robin has been with Community Connection since 1996 as our Accounting and Human Resource Specialist. She is an integral part of our team managing the day-to-day financial operations and compiling and interpreting all financial data. She is also responsible for spearheading and maintaining employee benefits and procedures.

In her spare time, Robin likes to travel, read and spend time with her family.

Jerry Smith, Art Director

Jerry has been with Community Connection since 1991 providing creative direction, marketing support, and advertising production in the print portion of the business.

He has played a key role in the image branding of one of the company's products- its highly successful community directories-through high quality, community based cover themes and functional book designs. Jerry has also been responsible for developing the varied range of marketing collateral critical to the company's sales efforts.

Today, he is still highly active in these processes as Community Connection builds itself towards the future with the company's diverse array of marketing solutions.

Lauren Catalano, Graphic Designer

Lauren began her graphic design career with Community Connection in 2008. She is a well-organized and dedicated employee that has enjoyed gaining experience through her many diverse projects in the art department.

She has quickly progressed from directory advertisement design and production work to book cover photography and web design. She oversaw the complete relaunch of the company website in 2011 and hopes to continue to bring her creative and technological talents to Community Connection.

Outside of the office, Lauren enjoys teaching dance to children of all ages and traveling whenever possible.

Sales Team

Deb Carroll

Deb has been working in advertising and marketing for 20 years. Debbie began her career working as an account manager in advertising agencies and then for the past 8 years has been working as a sales representative for community phone directories. Debbie's goal when she works with businesses is to help them reach their sales and marketing goals in the most cost effective way. Community Connections affords her the opportunity to offer a full range of marketing solutions from print directories and direct mail to search engine marketing and web design to accomplish these goals.

Jim Fagone

When Jim started with Community Connection in 1993, Jim Lubinski asked him to help with the small businesses market of Mt Washington Valley. Jim said to him that I didn't know anything about sales. Jim Lubinski replied that he would learn, and he was right. Over the last 18 years Jim has helped a number of businesses in the Valley and Lakes Area prosper with his advice and tolls that he has offered to them as his clients and now friends.

The two things Jim has enjoyed most about his job are helping customers grow their businesses and the number of friends that he has gained in the process. Jim would like to personally thank all the clients that have supported Community Connection. Jim's kids always say that everywhere he goes someone says hi to him. That is why Jim has really enjoyed his time at Community Connection - our customers are our friends!

Steven Lubinski

Steven joined Community Connection in 2007 after graduating from Salem State University. Steve specializes in helping businesses connect to consumers online with a variety of products ranging from Search Engine Marketing to professional grade videos. Steve's experience in the world of online marketing has made him a valuable resource to his clients. In Steve's spare time he enjoys fishing & other outdoor activities.

Steve Bourgeois

Steve joined Community Connection in 2008 and currently is working with local businesses to explore On Line Advertising and Search Engine Marketing opportunities to achieve their business goals. Steve brings over thirty years of sales and marketing expertise with companies like Verizon Wireless and the Polaroid Corporation. He also has previously managed his own Corporate Event and Entertainment Company (Corporate Events Unlimited) for eleven years. He enjoys spending time with his family and sports in his spare time.

Fred McGrath

Fred has been with Community Connection since 1991. A native of Winchester, who for the past 30 years has resided in Melrose, Fred is a seasoned sales representative who has started many markets during his time with Community Connection. Fred is very involved in the Melrose community having served on the boards of multiple youth and town organizations. A little fun fact about Fred is his bowling style. He still prefers to bowl underhand and between his legs as he feels it gives him the best chance to compete.

Deb Small

Deb started with Community Connection in 2000 and has never looked back. Community Connection mirrors her values as a sales person, which is the "need to help my customers grow their business". Deb has been part of many chambers of commerce and is a huge believer in community. Having lived and raised a family in the area Deb feels proud of the success that she sees many of her customers having around town. When working with Deb you will notice that your well-being and your business' well-being is a top priority.