State Representative Selim G. Noujaim’s active involvement in his community and his focus on economic development and job creation in the Greater Waterbury area have made him a highly effective advocate for the people of Waterbury at the Connecticut General Assembly.
A respected local businessman, Representative Noujaim, who was first elected to the state House of Representatives in a special election in February, 2002, was tapped by then-House Republican Leader Robert M. Ward, R-Northford, to become the House Ranking Member (Republican Leader) on the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee during his first full two-year term (2003 – 2004).
Recognizing him for his record of leadership on the Commerce Committee from 2002 through 2006, House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, selected Representative Noujaim as one of his assistant leaders for the 2007 – 2010 legislative sessions and appointed him to the position of Republican Whip for the 2011-2012 legislative session. He was re-appointed to the role of Republican Whip for the 2013-2015 session.
Representative Noujaim was appointed chairman of the Legislative Review Committee for the 2013-2015 session. He also serves as a member of the Commerce Committee, Executive Nominations Committee and the Internship Committee. He is a former Ranking Member on the Labor and Public Employees Committee, and member of the Select Committee on Aging and the Human Services and Transportation, Higher Education and Employment Advancement, and Program Review and Investigations committees.
Representative Noujaim, whose business expertise and leadership at the State Capitol has contributed significantly to commercial and industrial growth in the Greater Waterbury area, believes the state must become more business-friendly to foster economic growth and create secure, well-paid jobs for the people of Connecticut.
Representative Noujaim is executive vice-president of the family-founded and operated Noujaim Tool Company, Inc. in Waterbury. He had previously held senior management positions with leading corporations in the field of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management.
Specializing in employee motivation, training and development, Representative Noujaim is a qualified “Train the Trainer.” A former president and CEO of the Washington, D. C.-based American Production and Inventory Control Society, Representative Noujaim has presented motivational seminars, keynote speeches, and technical presentations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, France, New Zealand, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Representative Noujaim is certified in Resource Management at the fellow level and is a graduate of Post University, Central Connecticut State University, and the University of New Haven, where he received a master’s degree in Business Administration. He has lectured at Post University, Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College, and is a member of the President’s Council of Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College. In May 2004, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Teikyo Post University (now Post University).
Representative Noujaim is actively involved in civic and community affairs. He currently is a member of the Board of Trustees of Post University, vice chairman of the board of the East End Community Club, Vice Chairman of the Julia Ashe scholarship committee, and a member of the Children’s Community School, Inc. Board of Directors.
Before he was elected to the state House of Representatives from Waterbury’s 74th District, Representative Noujaim served in leadership positions with several local organizations and community groups.
As a state representative who also is part of the House Republican Caucus leadership team and a member of several legislative committees, Representative Noujaim’s legislative responsibilities have restricted his ability to continue serving on all the voluntary organizations he was involved with before his election to the General Assembly.
Representative Noujaim formerly served as first vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Waterbury Association for Retarded Citizens Board of Directors; a member of the Saint Mary’s Hospital Board of Directors and the hospital’s Strategic Planning Council; a member of the Board of Trustees of Post University; and a member of the Board of Directors of CONNSTEP.
Representative Noujaim has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seven Angels Theater; Chairman of Saints Peter and Paul Church Parish Council; Chairman of the Economic Development and Manufacturer’s Councils; and as the President of the Maassir Lebanese-American Charitable Society. He also co-chaired the 2001-2002 United Way Campaign Cabinet and is a former member of the Workforce Connections/Private Industry Council.
Representative Noujaim has been a member of the Smaller Manufacturers Association (SMA) and was the 2005 Honorary Chairman of the Relay of Life for the American Cancer Society. He also is a former member of the President’s Council of Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College; and a former member of the Board of Sacred Heart High School.
Representative Noujaim has been honored for his community service over the years. He has received The Distinguished Alumni Award from Teikyo Post University; the Merit Award from the Board of Trustees of Community-Technical Colleges of Connecticut; the 1998 Board Award from Workforce Connections; and the Saints Peter and Paul Medal of Honor of 2003.
Representative Noujaim also has been chosen as the City of Waterbury’s ‘Lebanese Mayor for the Day.’ In addition, he is often invited to serve as Master of Ceremonies for charitable events in Waterbury.
The Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce named Noujaim Tool Company, Inc. Small Manufacturer of the Year in 1998. That same year, Representative Noujaim received the Leadership in Business Award for his contributions to the manufacturing profession. In 1999, the Anderson Boys Club honored him with its Humanitarian Award. He was listed in the 1997, 1998, and 1999 editions of “Who’s Who In International Business Professionals.”
In March 2003, Rep. Noujaim received the Mayor Raymond Snyder Award from the Waterbury Republican Town Committee for excellence in public service; and in April 2004 he was honored by the Central Naugatuck Valley Senior Service Network for his dedication to senior issues.
In April 2009, Rep. Noujaim received the Dennis M. Buckley Award for excellence in service by an elected official, and in the same month he was honored by the Father Dwyer Humanitarian award given by the Childrens’ Community School due to his services to underprivileged children.
In May 2009, Rep. Noujaim was presented with a “Children’s Champion” award by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. The award recognizes his “commitment to early childhood issues” in his district in Waterbury’s East End and at the State Capitol.
In November of 2009, Rep. Noujaim was awarded the Maureen A. Donahoe Life Award by Carolyn’s Place for his steadfast work in and out of the legislature on pro-life and pro-family issues.
In March of 2011, Rep. Noujaim was given the first Connecticut Reading Association’s Legislative Literacy Advocate Award from CRA President Sandy Mangan during an awards ceremony at the capitol. The award honors a legislator who has been helpful in advocating and supporting literacy at the state and local level.
In April of 2013, Rep. Noujaim was awarded the Community Service Award from the Waterbury Sportsmen’s Club during their annual awards dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
Representative Noujaim and his wife Linda have been married for 41 years. They have three grown daughters, Bridget, Jessica and Rebecca and two grandchildren, Vincenzo and Emmanuelle.
