About Leila Fecho

In 1996, Leila founded Above & Beyond Communications LLC to help companies develop and implement integrated business and marketing plans to maximize their growth potential. Clients range from manufacturers (Draco Spring Manufacturing, Kaman, Southington Tool & Manufacturing Co., Safety Tech Industries and Whyco Technologies) to economic development/ municipalities, and others (CERC—the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, CSBDC-Connecticut Small Business Development Center, CONN/STEP, Federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Town of East Hartford, Town of South Windsor); service providers (Financial Resourses, TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc.) not-for-profit/education (HFPG-Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, UHCFC- Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, UConn School of Business, UConn College of Continuing Studies, UConn Alumni Association, the 12-college network of Connecticut Community Colleges, and several public schools systems).

As a strategic partner with First Experience Communications, Leila worked on clients projects including Sound Software, The Center of Special Care and several of its subsidiaries including the Hospital for Special Care, Holistic Wellness Connection, and Aquatic & Fitness Center, The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Kaman, CONN/STEP, the 12-college system of Connecticut Community Colleges and multiple public school districts.

For six years (1994-1999), she was Editor/Publisher of the CONN/STEP Advantage, a bimonthly technology newsmagazine for Connecticut manufacturers . Prior to establishing her own agency, Leila was Marketing Director for the Connecticut State Technology Extension Program in Storrs, CT, where she helped market the newly established technical assistance agency. Projects included developing and implementing the rollout marketing and communications plan introducing CONN/STEP to manufacturers and service providers throughout the state.

Leila also spent five years (1990-1994) with TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. in Newtown, CT, where she created the first marketing position (for the company) in the Americas. Leila was responsible for developing and implementing multi-national marketing plans. Leila has a profound understanding of customer service and quality assurance (ISO 9000 and related) and she facilitated the Senior Management Quality Improvement Steering Committee to lead the company through international accreditation.