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Greg Bordanaro, Editor Hartford Business Journal New Haven Biz talks about new DECD chief, XL Center sports betting lounge losing money, and accounting firm mergers?
Alexandra Daum, the new Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, joins Ari to talk about what the DECD's plans are to improve the economy for all of CT, and what they are doing specifically for our manufacturing audience. The DECD has a big job which includes job creation, supporting small businesses, community development, and marketing the state to internal and external audiences. Alexandra is helping to drive the solutions forward, but also loves to dig into the details, especially as it concerns communications and housing. From workforces to brownfields to the Manufacturing Innovation Fund, this episode covers a lot of ground! Alexandra's favorite business book: The Real Estate Game Alexandra Daum, DECD State of Connecticut's Website: https://portal.ct.gov/ State of Connecticut's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofconnecticut/ Alexandra's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-daum-3156b421/ Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://compassmsp.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari Company YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/ Alexandra and Ari discuss: Workforce Job creation Economic development Community development Affordable housing
The CBIA BizCast team speaks with Alexandra Daum as she looks to use her business background in her new role as DECD commissioner. “I know what it feels like to be on the other side of the table so to speak,” she said. “I know what it's like to be a small business owner and the ups and downs and certainly have experienced those ups and downs myself.” She said her main priorities are to get the word out that Connecticut is a good place to do business and strengthen our cities.
Jason Hunt, jahunt@pa.govhttps://dced.pa.gov/business-assistance/international/--SelectUSA Summit, June 26-29, 2022, https://www.selectusasummit.us/--Bill Kenney, bill@meetroi.comMEET, http://meetroi.com/
We are very excited and honored to welcome Governor Ned Lamont onto the Made in America Podcast! In this Made in America episode, Governor Lamont and Ari cover some of the hot topics surrounding CT manufacturing including workforce development, programming and support, and business expansion. He shares why he became Governor and how we can continue to move manufacturing forward. Governor Lamont discusses what we can do to keep the momentum going, create stability in the state, and attract the best talent in CT. He believes there is a bright future ahead and that together we can successfully build and expand our entire community! There are strong manufacturing advocates in the state that can help answer your questions and get you the help you need: - Colin Cooper: CT's Chief Manufacturing Officer - Kelli Vallieres: Chief Workforce Officer - Office of Workforce Strategy and Vice Chair of the Governor's Workforce Council - David Lehman: Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community development (DECD) and Governor's Senior Economic Advisor Governor Ned Lamont, State of Connecticut The Office of Governor Ned Lamont's Website: https://portal.ct.gov/governor The Office of Governor Ned Lamont's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GovNedLamont The Office of Governor Ned Lamont's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/state-of-connecticut-office-of-the-governor/ Governor Ned Lamont's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GovNedLamont Ari Santiago, CEO, CompassMSP Company Website: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Company YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itdirect151 Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Provided lawmakers approve the program, we're going to see a lot of no-cost opportunities for kids to discover the state's museums and sights through the proposed 'Kids Are Free' program, which previewing today. Then we'll find out why now more than ever, the first of its kind State of Health Equity among Boys and Men of Color Summit is the right event at the right moment in time - and why you should be part of it. And we're issuing a gentle but important reminder to businesses and business owners and their employers about the CT Paid Leave program, what you need to know if you're already contributing, and how to get caught up if you aren't.
We are so excited to welcome such a strong workforce leader, Dr. Kelli Vallieres, onto this week's Made in America episode! She serves as the Executive Director of CT's Office of Workforce Strategy. Kelli talks to Ari about some exciting updates happening within the Office Workforce Strategy, specifically the initiatives geared towards manufacturing and workforce development. She covers topics surrounding organizational culture, building up a manufacturing pipeline program, the importance of data and continuous improvement, and much more! She shares her story about working at Sound Manufacturing and how her background encouraged her to make a bigger impact at the state level. She believes in bringing communities together and preparing students for careers in manufacturing and beyond! Dr. Kelli Vallieres, Executive Director of the Office of Workforce Strategy DECD's Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DECD DECD's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ctdecd/ DECD's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTDECD Kelli's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vallieres-kelli-9959a96/ Ari Santiago, President/CEO/Founder, IT Direct Company Website: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Company YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itdirect151 Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Join John Williams, Dana Connor, Commissioner Heather Johnson and Commissioner Laura Fortman.
We are welcoming back a fan-favorite in this Made in America episode, with David Lehman, Commissioner of the DECD! Commissioner Lehman talks to Ari about some exciting updates happening within DECD and throughout government to support the economy and manufacturing, in particular. He covers how CT has navigated the pandemic, why manufacturing was deemed essential, and how reforming and eliminating the Transfer Act is a huge win for the economy. Commissioner Lehman also highlights the great work being done by Governor Lamont, Dr. Kelli Vallieres, Colin Cooper, and many other state officials and manufacturing leaders. He believes we are truly creating the workforce of tomorrow and that manufacturers are helping the CT economy flourish. David Lehman, Commissioner of DECD DECD's Website: https://portal.ct.gov/DECD DECD's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ctdecd/ DECD's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTDECD David's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-lehman-14aa7119b/ Ari Santiago, President/CEO/Founder, IT Direct Company Website: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Company YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itdirect151 Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/
Restaurants are among the small businesses that are struggling. And even though the state hasn’t shut down many sectors this COVID wave, some small businesses are considering whether to close for good. This hour, we talk with David Lehman, the Commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). How does the state make decisions around its phased reopening rules like deciding which businesses should stay open? And with a long winter ahead for the hospitality and retail sector, is the state doing enough to support local businesses? We hear from local business owners, and we want to hear from you, too. GUESTS: David Lehman - Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Juliana Pisanzio - Co-owner and operator of La Marea restaurant in Old Saybrook, which she owns with her husband Nino Dan Meiser - Founder and owner of the 85th Day Food Community, a restaurant group in Mystic Connecticut; he’s also board chair for the Connecticut Restaurant Association Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Restaurants are among the small businesses that are struggling. And even though the state hasn’t shut down many sectors this COVID wave, some small businesses are considering whether to close for good. This hour, we talk with David Lehman, the Commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). How does the state make decisions around its phased reopening rules like deciding which businesses should stay open? And with a long winter ahead for the hospitality and retail sector, is the state doing enough to support local businesses? We hear from local business owners, and we want to hear from you, too. GUESTS: David Lehman - Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Juliana Pisanzio - Co-owner and operator of La Marea restaurant in Old Saybrook, which she owns with her husband Nino Dan Meiser - Founder and owner of the 85th Day Food Community, a restaurant group in Mystic Connecticut; he’s also board chair for the Connecticut Restaurant Association Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On This Weeks Show: - The maker of Durex condoms has said sales have fallen as the coronavirus lockdown is “having a toll on the number of intimate occasions” across the world. And once the lockdowns are east, there are concerns of a global condom shortage because strict lockdown rules in Malaysia, one of world's top rubber producers and a major source of condoms, had made it difficult for condom factories to operate. Karex, the world's largest condom producer which makes one in five of all condoms, has warned of a global condom shortage after closing three of its factories. - A survey says men and women aren't in sync in the bedroom when it comes to the optimum time. Men feel most frisky between 6AM and 9AM, while women are feeling the love way into the night — between 11PM and 2AM. And the percentages of those who enjoy getting it on during the other gender's preferred window are similarly low, with just 16 percent of men wanting sex before falling asleep for the night, and a mere 11 percent of women wanting to take care of business as soon as the alarm goes off. - Want to live to 100? Well a study suggests you get 10 hours of sleep a night. In the study, researchers found that people who reach 100 are three times more likely to spend at least 10 hours a night in bed. The study involved analysis of data from a 2005 Chinese survey. - A study (Purdue University/University of Virginia) suggests that there may be a perfect salary for achieving personal fulfillment. The idea was to figure out at which salary range adults were best able to happily manage their work/life balance. Putting a number on that sort of thing is difficult, but the researchers managed the trick nonetheless. The study concluded that happiness will cost about $95,000 annually. Researchers were careful to note that this figure applies only to individuals and attempts to measure happiness over the course of a person's entire life. Day-to-day happiness seems to cost less. Still, the findings are a bit concerning given that the average American household only takes in about $65,000 annually. - Did you receive your stimulus check yet? A bunch of dead people did. The Treasury Department says it is working on a plan to “retrieve” $1,200 economic impact payments that were accidentally sent to dead people. Currently tens of millions of people who are very much alive are still waiting for their payments. There have been dozens if not hundreds of reports of people receiving money meant for their deceased relatives. One deceased woman in Connecticut's check was even labeled “DECD” for deceased. - The US marriage rate fell to its lowest level on record in 2018, federal stats released Wednesday show. New figures from the National Center for Health Statistics reveal the nationwide marriage rate fell 6 percent from 2017 to 2018. It's the lowest rate since the US government started tracking such data in 1867. Researchers say there's no clear reason for the decline and it's expected the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to further drive down the number of Americans getting hitched. THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YESTERDAY • No word in the English language rhymes with “MONTH.” • There are 1 million ants for every person in the world. • More money is spent on gardening than on any other hobby. • The average person falls asleep in seven minutes. • The human brain is 80 percent water. • Walt Disney was afraid of mice. • Men get hiccups more often than women. • There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball. • The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year. • There are approximately fifty Bibles sold each minute across the world. • A can of SPAM is opened every 4 seconds. GO MOTHER'S DAY SHOPPING AT THE HARDWARE STORE • Eighty-five percent of women surveyed have been or expect to be solely responsible for a home at some point in their lives. • Fifty-three percent surveyed say they are responsible for basic household maintenance and repair either on their...
About the guest: Carolann Ouellette joined the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) in September 2018 to lead the newly created Office of Outdoor Recreation. Before her current position, she was the Executive Director of Maine Huts & Trails, a non-profit that operates a hut-to-hut system of four year-round back-country ecolodges and 80 miles of trails that are open to the public, year-round, for hiking, biking, paddling, skiing & snowshoeing. Prior to her time at Maine Huts & Trails, Carolann was Director of the Maine Office of Tourism at DECD. Under her leadership, Maine benefited from multiple years of consistent growth in tourism. A graduate of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, Ouellette was the chef/owner of an award-winning Maine restaurant. She has a strong background in outdoor recreation as a former Whitewater Guide and operations manager for New England Outdoor Center, and lodging manager at Sugarloaf Resort. In 2015, she was named by Maine Magazine as one of “50 Mainers Boldly Leading Our State.” Carolann has been involved in many organizations in board or advisory member capacity over the years including U.S. Travel Association, Maine Woods Consortium, Discover New England, Maine Tourism Association and University of Southern Maine School of Tourism & Hospitality. She is a ski, snowmobile, snowshoe, hike and paddle enthusiast. She is also working on her mountain biking, fishing and hunting skills, and loves the exploration and discovery of travel. In the episode: 3:04 – Carolann talks about how her career started, from visiting Maine as a child and going to college for hospitality to how her network has helped her career. 6:10 – Carolann shares what interesting and impactful work is being done throughout Maine that many may not know about. 8:43 – Based on her extensive tourism experience, Carolann describes how public relations helps the tourism industry and businesses, including how Instagram helps attract visitors. 14:56 – To measure success, Carolann tells what she looks at, whether it is the number of followers or engagement. 16:32 – Carolann explains how outdoor recreation impacts Maine's economy. 18:50 – Carolann describes the benefits of outdoor recreation to tourism in Maine. 26:19 – Nancy shares a listener line question. 27:40 – Although it was not a conscious effort, Carolann shares how she has built her network. 32:19 – Even though she didn't think she would like it, Carolann has found LinkedIn to be a useful resource as well as Slack and Zoom. 37:25 – Carolann emphasizes Maine's heritage and connection to the outdoors. Quote: “We often think of outdoor recreation as needing to be really active, but it's really about being in the outdoors and enjoying what you love to do.” – Carolann Ouellette, director of the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation Links: Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation: https://www.maine.gov/decd/programs/maine-office-of-outdoor-recreation CAN-AM Crown International Sled Dog Races: https://can-am-crown.net/ AMC Lodge-to-lodge Skiing: https://www.outdoors.org/lodging-camping/maine-lodges/lodge-to-lodge-skiing-program-details Trek Across Maine: https://action.lung.org/site/TR/Cycle/ALANE_Northeast?pg=entry&fr_id=18638 Peaks to Portland: https://ymcaofsouthernmaine.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=520 Maine's Bicentennial: https://www.maine200.org/ L.L. Bean: https://www.llbean.com/ Flowfold: https://www.flowfold.com/ Via Advertising: https://theviaagency.com/ Teens To Trails: https://www.teenstotrails.org/ Winter Kids: https://winterkids.org/ Sail Maine: http://www.sailmaine.org/ Outdoor Sport Institute: https://www.outdoorsi.org/ Blaze Partners: https://blaze-partners.com/ Outdoor Retailer: https://www.outdoorretailer.com/ Live and Work in Maine: https://www.liveandworkinmaine.com/ Maine & Co.: https://maineco.org/ Maine International Trade Center: https://www.mitc.com/ Maine Huts and Trails: https://mainehuts.org/ Carrabassett Valley Academy: https://www.gocva.com/ The Portland Pod: https://portlandpod.com/ The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device. Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page. Looking to connect: Email: carolann.ouellette@maine.gov LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolann-ouellette-b373a515a/ Phone: (207) 624-9824
BizCast host and CBIA government affairs associate Shannon King talks with CBIA's Joe Brennan about the organization’s coordination of the business community's response to COVID-19, and what services are available to member companies. For additional information about the pandemic, including guidance for protecting workplace health and safety, business continuity and planning, risk mitigation, labor and employment law compliance and more, visit CBIA's coronavirus resource center: https://www.cbia.com/resource/category/coronavirus/ Listen to the March 19 call with Governor Lamont and DECD for employers: https://www.cbia.com/resources/coronavirus/coronavirus-state-federal-updates/listen-march-19-coronavirus-call/ For questions, call CBIA's HR Hotline anytime at 860.244.1900.
Connecticut COVID-19 Conference Call with Governor Lamont & CT DECD by The Connecticut Economic Resource Center
Join John Williams, Dana Connors, President of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Pat Weigel, President of Norway Saving Bank, and Heather Johnson, Commissioner of DECD.
Join John Williams, Dana Connor, Executive Director of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Pat Weigle, President of Norway Savings Bank, Dan Walsch, Head of Community Lending, and Heather Johnson Commissioner of Maine of DECD.
David Lehman, Commissioner of the DECD, is a dedicated public official working to create the best potential business atmosphere in CT. He not only understands the challenges, but believes in the possibilities! Commissioner Lehman shared with Ari his background in the private sector and discussed why that enables him to lead the DECD with a clear understanding of business needs. He also talked about the importance of the main pillars for growth: Transportation, Workforce/Education, Fiscal Stability, and a Focus on Cities. Commissioner Lehman spoke with enthusiasm about the new Chief Manufacturing Officer position, the man chosen to fill the position, Colin Cooper, and the important goals for the job. Agree or disagree with politics in our state at the moment, you can't help but note that Commissioner Lehman is intelligent, focused, dedicated, and a strong advocate for business. David Lehman, Commissioner, Department of Economic and Community Development Email: David.Lehman@ct.gov Ari Santiago: Ari Santiago is the President/CEO of IT Direct Website: https://www.gettingyouconnected.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itdtech/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/it-direct-llc Ari's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ Book discussed in this episode: When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management, Roger Lowenstein Podcast produced by Miceli Productions: https://miceliproductions.com/ Follow the podcast on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MadeinAmericaPodcast/
Twenty-seven communities within Connecticut have federally-designated Opportunity Zones - a unique tax incentive program and economic development tool to benefit economically-distressed communities. In this episode, Kristi Sullivan, CERC’s Vice President of Marketing, is joined by David Kooris, Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, to discuss the efforts that Connecticut is undertaking to support the 72 Opportunity Zones here in the state. As part of these efforts, DECD will be hosting a conference October 30th in New Haven to bring together real estate developers, property owners, fund managers and investors, attorneys, accounting professionals, and economic development professionals for a day filled with panel discussions, interactive discussions and networking to inform stakeholders about business opportunities and how to leverage local assets and resources to take advantage of some of Connecticut’s best investment opportunities.
Anne Millard of DECD See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Is A Clerical Filing Error To Blame For An Elderly Fresno Resident Being Frozen Out Of Her Trust Fund? Fresno, California Resident Leslie Revis says that her late husband Larry Revis always provided for their family. Upon his passing in 2016, Larry left Leslie a trust fund, unfortunately the money in the account is frozen. Leslie believes that her account which is managed by Don Vincenti, CFP® of Stifel is inaccessible due to a clerical error. "My accounts are titled incorrectly. The accounts should now both be Estate accounts but, they are not. They are coded as "deceased" (DECD) status accounts," said Leslie Revis. "Because of the "deceased" status, (versus if they were properly and lawfully titled as estate accounts), attempts to process an external transfer of the assets from the Stifel brokerage to another company cannot be processed by the receiving company." Revis' daughter Mary Bass says that she is going to the media because repeated attempts to rectify the situation with Mr. Vicenti and Stifel have failed. "We are getting nowhere. We wish no ill will upon Mr. Vicenti and Stifel however, we cannot but, draw the conclusion that they are responsible for preventing my Mother from accessing her trust fund or even transferring it to another account for that matter," said Mary Bass. "My Mother has tried to transfer all assets from Stifel to E-Trade and to TD America to no avail because a "DECD" coded (titled) account isn't transferable- the Stifel Stockbroker would have to have the assets in an estate account and they refuse to follow any compliance procedure .
Governor Ned Lamont has said he is open to negotiating almost everything in his budget proposal. Well, it seems like lots of people are going to take him up on his offer. State legislators on opposite sides of the political spectrum are panning Lamont's plan to raise more than $500 million by expanding the goods and services subject to the state's sales tax. Union leaders feel slighted by his call for them to back changes to cost-of-living increases for future retired state workers. And Lamont's push for highway tolls faces local, state, and federal hurdles. Meanwhile, the governor's pick to lead the state's economic development efforts, David Lehman, sweated out tough questions Tuesday from Democratic lawmakers. Whether the former Goldman Sachs executive will win confirmation by the state Senate remains uncertain. This week, we tally up the opposition to the administration's agenda. We also delve into the concerns over state Sen. Alex Bergstein's paying for an extra legislative aide out of her own pocket. Should she be free to spend her own money in pursuit of better representing her constituents, or is it bad precedent that could give Bergstein an unfair advantage at the state Capitol?Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week David Kooris of the DECD joins us to discuss the versatility of Connecticut's Startup Ecosystem and how it's a cheaper alternative to Boston and New York. Along with that we discuss the pros and cons of Connecticut's infrastructure and it's vast types of towns. "We need to simultaneously find ways to grab onto Boston and New York but do it in a way that grows Connecticut and also recognize that Hartford/Springfield are successful metropolitan areas."
Guilaine Menefee was on with Brad Davis to discuss a minority business that is going through the program and has received or received help from the DECD and she will also discuss the focus of this year, and when the BBA is coming to Hartford and other Greater Hartford cities and town. Photo Credit: Meghan Boyd
Record-Journal Vice President and Editor Ralph Tomaselli joins the Morning Record to talk about the RJ's request for the tax incentives the state Department of Economic and Community Development offered to Amazon as part of its bid for the HQ2 search. DECD denied the RJ's request, so the RJ filed a complaint with the FOI Commission. The Commission held a hearing Wednesday. Music: thegoodlawdz.bandcamp.com/
Comptroller Kevin Lembo joins the Morning Record to talk about an interim auditors report on the Department of Economic and Community Development. The report found the agency provided "unsupported" and inaccurate data, and also didn't produce certain analysis required by state law. Lembo has been a leading proponent for requiring more disclosure on business incentive programs. Credit www.bensound.com/ for the music.
This week host John Voket chats with the state DECD about 11 new transit-oriented development projects launching in 2018 under a new $15 million grant program. Then we'll replay a visit with the Hartford Job Corps Academy, hear directly from students about their brightening futures in the workforce, and see if the academy has a place for you. And if you are heading into 2018 facing foreclosure, the SUN may be coming out thanks to the newly available Stabilizing Urban Neighborhoods (SUN) program.
The presentation focuses on how the establishment of a digital Languages Sister School Partnership in your school is supported by the Australia Curriculum, while underpinning learning of the target language and embracing a whole school approach to engagement with an Asian culture.
A presentation and video of students learning via distance education (in isolated home classrooms), and those learning in language partnership classrooms in regional DECD schools. Examples of online learning plans incorporating Asia Literacies will be discussed alongside viewing samples of student work.
3/31/15 - Special Guests - Al Samuel, Exec. Director of Aerospace Component Manufacturers “The World’s Aerospace Alley” ACM: World Leaders in Aerospace Since Flight Began ACM comprises one of the largest, most experienced concentrations of world-class aerospace companies, the world's AEROSPACE ALLEY! Our firms grew up where aerospace was born. Thier precision components take to the skies every day, in every corner of the globe, as they have since the inception of powered flight.ACM member companies are united by a single goal; be the world leader in providing customers with aerospace components of unsurpassed quality, at competitive prices and always, on-time delivery.ACM Informational VideoACM March 2015 Newsletter Update Max McIntyre, Vice President of Turbine Technologies in Farmington, CTTTi provides CNC Sinker Electric Discharge Machining (EDM), Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM), High Speed Hole (HSH) and 5 Axis Milling services for the aerospace and IGT engine markets. The company has earned wide recognition for high quality, responsiveness, and lean enterprise that adds value and delights customers. Paul Rocheleau, CFO of HABCO in Glastonbury, CTn 1970 HABCO Industries was founded by Henry A. Backmann, a former Pratt & Whitney aircraft engineer with a focus on custom test solutions. Henry went on to develop the first GSE with PWA for JT9D Fuel Nozzles. In 2000 Henry sold HABCO to Kristin Muschett, who introduced ground support equipment for rotary winged aircraft to the company profile. After Kristin took over, HABCO went on to win an array of awards. In 2004 HABCO won the “Fast Fifty Award”, in 2007 they won the United Space Alliance SFA Supplier Award, and shortly after they also won the “Excellence in Manufacturing Award” from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence. A few years later, in 2010, the decision was made to move HABCO to a larger, more modern facility to allow for future growth. Two years later, HABCO achieved Supplier Gold Status with UTC for perfect delivery and quality to all UTC divisions as well as exceptionally high scores on the Lean Assessment and Market Feedback Assessment. In 2012, Kristin sold the business to HABCO Industries. Commissioner Catherine Smith - Connecticut Department of Economic and Community DevelopmentThe Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is in the business of growing your business.DECD is the state's lead agency for the development and implementation of policies, strategies and programs that support business growth and innovation. The department offers a wide range of programs and services to help companies prosper in Connecticut