Shiffman described as ‘a real town treasure’
By Deborah Rose
People are one of the elements that make a community inviting, vibrant, and successful.
In New Milford, Ivan Shiffman is one of those individuals who is committed to, and serves, his hometown and makes it a little brighter.
He will be recognized for his service by the Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce at the organization’s 25thAnnual Awards Gala in January.
At that time, Shiffman will be presented the Chamber’s 2024 Distinguished Chamber Member of the Year Award.
Shiffman will join two others, Agriventures Agway and volunteer first responders, in receiving awards at the Jan. 25 black-tie optional dinner-dance at the Amber Room in Danbury (to learn more about the gala, see end of article).
“I relish more in letting other people shine and recognizing their accomplishments,” Shiffman humbly said when asked how he feels about being recognized with this honor. “I don’t take accolades. I like to give them.”
Shiffman’s humility is one of the reasons he was nominated by a member of the community for this award.
“He can be seen at key events in the area, not to promote his own business, but to support others,” said Dan Olson, publisher of New Milford Living magazine.
Today, Shiffman is an attendee and supporter of many community and business events whether it’s for networking, a celebration, a fundraiser or other occasion.
He is also vice president of the Corporation for New Milford Economic Development.
Bill Buckbee, executive director of Harrybrooke Park in town and state representative for the 67th District, attended school with Shiffman. The two played sports together growing up.
“He’s a good man who always has a hand on helping others at all times,” Buckbee said. “He’s dialed in to what is happening in town and I’m happy for him to receive some recognition for all he does.”
Shiffman said he takes part in what he “can that I have time for… things that are of value to people.”
Olson praised Shiffman for his spirit, unassuming presence that puts others at ease, and overall innate kindness and thoughtfulness.
“The thing that I remember when I first met Ivan was his generosity for anything local with New Milford, whether it was youth sports, or anything to do with any type of fundraising efforts or anything that would give New Milford a better light,” said Olson.
He acknowledged Shiffman for spearheading the recent Walk to End Alzheimer’s events in town.
The Alzheimer’s Association is near and dear to Shiffman’s heart because his mother, Paulette, was diagnosed with the disease several years ago.
Ironically, Edward Jones, the company Shiffman joined in 2018, is the national sponsor for the Alzheimer’s Association. Many of Shiffman’s clients are affected by, or have loved ones affected by, Alzheimer’s.
“It just made a lot of sense, and I wanted to bring the walk back to New Milford in honor of my mom,” said Shiffman, a New Milford native, who is married to fellow New Milford native Dawn Lillis.
Shiffman has been a volunteer and supporter of community activities and programs for most of his life, having witnessed his parents’ involvement in town. They were active in the community, primarily volunteers from an athletic standpoint, when Shiffman was a child.
Shiffman asserts his former job in a business development/community relations role at Union Savings Bank in New Milford as solidifying his support of, and service in, the community.
It was during that time, from 2007 though 2018, connections with the people and businesses in the community grew and he developed an even richer appreciation for helping others succeed and being a part of making them shine.
He was involved with the Chamber many years ago, and served as president of the Rotary Club and former Community Culinary School of Northwest Connecticut, among other things.
“It sort of became who I am and what I do,” Shiffman, who studied actuarial math in college, said of how he became active in the community.
“I met so many great people over the years.”
Shiffman credits the late Bonnie Blackman, who had worked at the bank, as being a solid role model. “She was a special person. Anyone around her learned by action what it meant to serve.”
Those in the community make the same statement about him.
Resident Ted Bouzakis described his friend of 40 years as having “a great ability to identify opportunities” not only in his role as a financial advisor with Edward Jones, but also in the people around him.
“He has a way to inspire others, and has a good talent to figure out how to get people to come together to achieve a common goal,” Bouzakis said.
"He is one of most dedicated people I know,” he summed up.
Shiffman is not only dedicated to the community in which he grew up, but also to his business.
He opened an Edward JonesJ office at 329 Danbury Road (Route 7) in 2020, right as the world shut down due to COVID.
There was a concern how business would go, but clients “came in droves,” he said, noting that at the time people had time to think about retirement and planning ahead for the future while they were forced to stay home during the pandemic.
The businessman related that helping his clients "reach their goals" at various stages of their life brings him "a lot of satisfaction,"
“A part of what makes me successful is this community-centric idealism and belief in our town and the good people that we have in this town,” he said. “It’s all part of my success. I’m a big believer in, if we give enough, it comes back. It doesn’t always come back right away or the same day. But the more good you do, and the more people you help, it certainly seems to work out that way.”
“He’s a real town treasure, as far as I’m concerned,” Olson said. “He has a humility that wouldn’t be out looking” for this type of accolade.
For more information about celebrating Ivan's recognition, click here.
Courtesy of the Shiffmans/Ivan Shiffman and his wife, Dawn, have a daughter, Emily, above.
Courtesy of the Shiffmans/Ivan Shiffman is shown with his son, Charlie, several years ago.
Courtesy of Edward Jones/Ivan Shiffman is a financial advisor with Edward Jones.
