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Vincent Forras to Address Windsor Locks RTC April 21, 2010
Windsor Locks RTC
Windsor Locks Town Hall, 50 Church St, Windsor Locks. We meet in the Large Conf. Room at 7:00 pm.
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Vincent Forras of Ridgefield, Connecticut, is a Patriotic American who holds time-honored values and life affirming principles. He is a lifelong Republican who is seeking the support of the people to win former Senator Christopher Dodd’s seat in the upcoming 2010 election. Mr. Forras is a man of the people — a volunteer firefighter, who answered the call on September 11th, 2001 to serve when America was attacked and who stands ready to answer this call if given the privilege and opportunity by the people.
Running on a platform that addresses major critical issues like wasteful government spending, skyrocketing budget numbers, higher taxes, growing unemployment and the economy; homeland security, universal healthcare, encouraging cleaner and renewable energy, the preservation of human life, immigration and human trafficking, among others. Vincent has seen the best of what America can be and believes that by expanding upon the foundation of the late President Ronald Reagan real common sense solutions will emerge.
His overarching vision is for Connecticut to restore our state and our nation to the values, freedoms and the opportunity to create the economic security sought after by others; and to restore the faith and confidence you once had in your public servants. This will require a bold commitment and determined action from us all because we did not get here over night. But together we can make this happen if we are committed, vigilant, patient and persistent. Now is the time to kick it up a notch and let your voice be heard.
In Vincent’s own words, “I believe the solution to what’s happening in our country right now is in each of us. Our founding fathers knew that the American people, inspired by their belief in God, were the ones who could make it happen. My message is simple: We don’t have to reinvent anything. Everything we need to make America great again is right here.”
He was born in 1957, a first generation American, in Queens, NY, to Mary and Vincent Forras. Along with his brothers, David and Gary, his was a family of hardworking parents, a strong sense of family values, and unwavering loyalty and dedication to the people around him and his country.
While growing up, Vincent spent his summers working at his father’s company, Chase Scientific Research. Chase Scientific Research was a manufacturing company that produced precision castings used in rotating components within ac synchronous fractional hp motors which are used within guidance systems of most missile systems and aircraft including rockets – he learned literally the industry from the ground up.
Upon graduation from Manhattan College with a teaching degree in 1979; he accepted his father’s request to take over the company upon his retirement. Through the work ethic instilled by his father Vincent expanded that operation into a business that included distribution of components necessary in various military and aerospace systems design. Customers included Bendix Aviation, Honeywell, General Dynamics, Montevideo Technology, Jet, Singer Kearfott Division and many others.
From the time Vincent took over Chase Scientific Research he transformed through growth and diversification from a half million dollar business into three diverse businesses with combined annual sales of $10 million by the time he answered the call on September 11th, 2001.
In 1985 Vincent took that expertise on his own and formed The Phoenix Group which was a distributor of military spec components mainly for use by NATO contractors and US Defense contractors. His entrepreneurial vision coupled with the experience in his father’s company serviced customers like Northrop, Honeywell, Raytheon, Rolls Royce, Westland Helicopters, Normalaire Garret, Smiths Aviation, Lucas Aerospace, British Aerospace, Muirhead Vactric and most Chase customers.
Through the success of The Phoenix Group, they expanded their market and maintained offices and sales force in London and New York State, Munich Germany, and Budapest Hungary.
Additionally Vincent opened business dealing with China at the request of British Aerospace on Airbus Wing fuel sensors. The Phoenix Group was responsible for complete kitting programs for Flight Refueling partnership with McDonnell Douglas on KC135 refueling pods.
The success of the “kitting” program became the template for many other programs that came afterwards with contracts with companies such as: Hughes Aircraft NASA (Space Platform, and space shuttle), Hubble systems, Maverick, IR Maverick, Harpoon, Slam and numerous other systems including full kit partnership for Oliver Hazard Perry Class US Navy Fin Stabilizer Systems.
In 1988 to comply with US Government request to partner with “Disadvantaged” business, Vincent also founded Aegis Electronic Systems. Soon afterwards they also purchased VEGA Systems, a UK Based precision PC board manufacturer capable of manufacturing the highest level space application assemblies.
Aegis was responsible for most major US defense systems with content and participation and serviced customers like Electric Boat, General Dynamics, Newport News Shipbuilding, Raytheon, Hughes, McDonnell Douglass, Sikorsky Helicopter, Otis, Bath Iron Works, and Norden Systems. In 1991 the Group developed a partnership with Hungarian Optical Works, MOM importing first Gyro Theodolite Systems used to calibrate our most sensitive guidance platforms.
His business involvement lasted through the 9/11 tragedy where he had a life altering experience when he was buried amid the rubble during a rescue operation. After that near-death situation, Vincent decided to dedicate his life to helping others.
He founded Gear Up Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping families of those who perished at Ground Zero through his charitable actions around the world and here at home. Donations included fire engines, equipment, training and a school that continues to operate in Ecuador for poor children seeking to learn how to help others through our combined noble actions. Additionally, Vinny and the foundation have worked hard to keep the memory alive about what happened that terrible day and how we need to continue to care for our brave first responders AFTER such an event.
Soon after 9/11, Vincent met Monica Carrera, who was in NYC on a special assignment at the Ecuadorian Consulate as a delegate of the Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil. They partnered in life, worked together on the Gear Up Foundation and were married in October of 2003.
Vincent’s goal was to set an example for his three children, Michael, Brittany, and Danielle. His message was “you can’t just take, you must also give back.” That message continued after his marriage and his family grew by four more children. Today, Daughter Brittany has graduated college and Denisse, Danielle and Gaston are all in college. Daughter Alejandra is in high school. Oldest daughter Andrea remains in Ecuador, her home, as a fashion designer and she recently married Agustin Loor.
Inspired by Vincent’s sacrifice and commitment his son Michael dedicated himself to his country through his enrollment, directly after high school graduation, into the U.S. Marine Corps. He continues to proudly serve our country to this day.
Vincent continues to dedicate his life to the brotherhood and humanity that he experienced firsthand at Ground Zero. He counts on those closest to him to carry on that dedication worldwide. He plans to dedicate his future work in the U.S. Senate to bringing back simple ideals and values to the people of Connecticut and the United States; the values upon which this country was built.
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Forras, Vincent [MC1979]
[JR: One quibble. It's not Dodd's seat! Argh! Good luck.]
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