CBIACONNECTICUT BUSINESS & INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

350 Church St. • Hartford, CT 06103-1126 • 860-244-1900

cbia.com

CBIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009

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CBIA’S MISSION

■ Serve as an advocate for the general business and industry community in Connecticut

■ Promote a state business climate that is globally competitive and encourages business expansions, startups, and relocations in Connecticut

■ Encourage communication and cooperation amongbusiness and industry, government, other private-sector institutions, and the general public on importanteconomic and social issues

■ Provide a wide range of products and services that benefit member companies

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T he past twelve months have been very difficult for CBIA’s

members—small companies and large, service businesses,

research firms, retailers, and manufacturers alike. The eco-

nomic collapse that began last year forced employers to make difficult

choices in response to fewer orders and tighter credit markets. Many

took innovative steps to reduce expenses and mitigate the need for

workforce reductions. Everyone has had to make sacrifices of some

kind in the face of this global recession.

At CBIA, our goal is not only to help our members survive the reces-

sion but to position them to grow again when economic conditions

improve. In addition to representing your interests before government

on issues such as taxes, health care, labor laws, education, energy, and

transportation, we have expanded our free member services and intro-

duced cost-effective products to help you save money and let you

focus on meeting the tough challenges facing your business.

We understand that a competitive business climate that supports

greater innovation and productivity is the key to economic growth

and opportunity in Connecticut. Unfortunately, at the State Capitol,

we have had to spend much of our time working against proposals

that would have increased taxes, regulations, and operating costs on

employers. Our members’ willingness to get involved and challenge

these counterproductive measures contributed, in large part, to our

success in defeating most of them.

Connecticut can achieve its economic potential only if we make policy

changes to encourage businesses to invest in our state. Policymakers

must be willing to make the tough decisions necessary to secure our

state’s economic vitality; employers must support those politicians who

work for the enactment of a pro-growth agenda. Businesspeople and

their employees can be a powerful political force for positive change

in Connecticut.

One area that demands greater business activism is the state budget.

We must encourage our political leaders to use the current biennium to

implement structural changes and lean processes that will make state

government smaller, less expensive, and more effective. If they don’t,

we will face severe deficits in the next two-year budget and a call for

higher taxes as one-time revenues disappear and postponed spending

obligations come due. A vocal, politically engaged business community

can make all the difference in ensuring that doesn’t happen.

On behalf of the entire CBIA Board of Directors and staff, we want to

thank you for your support of CBIA and your involvement in our

efforts to create a more competitive business climate in Connecticut.

Please share with us your thoughts on how we can better serve you,

our members, and secure a brighter economic future for our state.

Samuel S. Bergami Jr. John R. Rathgeber

Chair President & CEO

SAMUEL S. BERGAMI JR.Chair

JOHN R. RATHGEBERPresident & CEO

PETER B. KENTVice Chair

RAMONA CARLOWVice Chair

CHARLES W. SHIVERYImmediate Past Chair

CHAIR AND PRESIDENT’S REPORT

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GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Overview The dramatic downturn in global, national, and state economies

meant that the 2009 General Assembly session would be one of the

most challenging in many years. Addressing the state’s budget short-

fall would prove to be an insurmountable task for lawmakers and the

governor during the regular session, as the state went longer without

a new budget than at any other time in its history. As it turned out,

Connecticut’s economic woes were both a blessing and a curse for

businesses. On one hand, the state of the economy made legislators

wary about passing laws that would hurt the business community. On

the other, however, a lack of resources made it difficult to pass meas-

ures that would help stimulate the economy.

As a result, legislative accomplishments were few. The General

Assembly was most active in the health care area, but not in a way

that promised to bring real reform to the health care system. CBIA

requested vetoes of three health care bills, and Gov. Rell vetoed all

three. The legislature sustained two of those vetoes but overrode the

governor’s veto of the SustiNet bill.

Largely through persistent grassroots activities, CBIA and the business

community were successful in defeating all harmful Labor Committee

proposals, including one that would have mandated paid sick leave

and another (the “captive audience” bill) that would have significantly

limited workplace communication between employers and employees.

On the positive side, a bill making it easier for midcareer professionals

to become teachers became law, as did a proposal facilitating redevel-

opment of brownfield properties and a bill to help minimize the

impact of state regulations on small businesses.

So, we did have some successes in 2009, despite the troubled economy

and the propensity of the Democratically controlled legislature to

propose tax, labor, and health care bills that threatened to weaken

Connecticut’s business climate, impede economic recovery, and expand

the size and cost of the state bureaucracy. Gov. Rell deserves much

credit for consistently championing a strong economy and an afford-

able, responsible state government. Her prudent budget proposals and

vetoes of several harmful bills were welcome and necessary safeguards

to protect Connecticut’s economy and its taxpayers. CBIA is also grate-

ful to members of the Republican caucuses for consistently taking

strong stands on the side of employers, economic growth, and fiscal

responsibility—and to those moderate Democrats who, at times,

joined their colleagues across the aisle.

Most of all, we are grateful to the many CBIA members who invested

their time and expertise to help increase legislators’ understanding of

complex business-related issues and enhance the quality of the politi-

cal debate at the State Capitol.

Here is a brief review of our major legislative issue areas.

State budget and fiscal policyIn February, the governor proposed a new, two-year

budget that included no tax increases but did contain

spending cuts, consolidations of various agencies, the

elimination of certain commissions, and increases in

many fees. The General Assembly’s Finance Committee

considered a variety of tax increases that would have put Connecticut

businesses at a competitive disadvantage, but through active engage-

ment by members of CBIA’s tax committee, we were able to defeat

those proposals in committee.

Democrats in the legislature ultimately passed a budget that contained

$2.5 billion in increased taxes, including a three-year, 15% corporation

Advocating for a globally competitive, pro-growthbusiness climate inConnecticut

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business tax surcharge and increases to the personal income tax and

estate tax. The governor vetoed the budget and tax plan, and

Democrats had insufficient votes in the Senate to override her veto.

The regular legislative session ended without a budget agreement.

In early August, both sides settled on the size of the deficit for the

next two fiscal years—$8.56 billion. In hopes of ending the stalemate,

the governor offered a new budget that contained $391 million in

higher taxes (including a three-year, 10% corporation business tax sur-

charge). Although legislative Democrats reduced their tax increases to

$1.8 billion, they failed to offer significant spending cuts, and no

agreement was reached.

Gov. Rell released a new budget plan in late August that included an

increase in the personal income tax for joint filers with incomes of

$1 million or more and individuals with incomes of $500,000 or more.

Her proposal again included a three-year, 10% corporation business

tax surcharge, and it called for the elimination of the state inheritance

tax and a reduction in the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.5%. On

the spending side, the governor’s plan called for cuts totaling

$520 million.

On August 31, the General Assembly voted to borrow $950 million to

close the budget deficit run up during Fiscal Year 2009, and then in

the wee hours of September 1, passed a new, two-year, $37 billion

state budget. The measure was adopted mostly along party lines, with

Democrats approving and Republicans opposing. (Nine House

Democrats and one in the Senate voted against the budget; all

Republicans opposed.)

The bill included the three-year, 10% corporate business tax surcharge

(companies with revenues under $100 million are exempt) and the

income tax increases on higher-income individuals and couples con-

tained in the governor’s plan, but it did not take spending cuts to the

level Gov. Rell had proposed. It also called for only a reduction in the

state inheritance tax rather than its elimination and a potential (rather

than definite) reduction in the sales tax rate from 6% to 5.5% on

Jan. 1, 2010. (That reduction will not take place if state revenues are

more than 1% below projections at the end of the year.)

Disappointed by insufficient cuts in state spending—but unwilling to

hamstring the state by letting the stalemate continue—Gov. Rell

announced that she would let the new budget bill become law with-

out her signature. The budget went into effect Sept. 6.

State policymakers must now work to ensure that the state does not see

another fiscal crisis in two years, when a new biennial budget is negoti-

ated. That will be no easy task, given that the plan passed this summer

relies heavily on borrowing and one-time revenue sources. Many of

those options will not be available in 2011, leaving open the possibility

that any deficit will be closed with tax increases on businesses and resi-

dents, seriously jeopardizing Connecticut’s economic recovery.

To avoid that scenario, lawmakers must truly focus on strengthening

Connecticut’s economy over the next two legislative sessions. Indeed,

the new budget depends on a robust economic recovery to bolster

state revenues. But that recovery won’t happen without a legislature

committed to policies that help our businesses become more competi-

tive and able to provide the quality, high-paying jobs Connecticut is

known for. Nor will it happen if lawmakers avoid the challenging but

critical process of streamlining state government so it can improve its

delivery of essential services and reduce its cost to taxpayers.

In the months ahead, CBIA will continue to urge policymakers to make

our economy and jobs their top priority and develop a new model for

government organization, efficiency, and affordability.

Health careThe legislature passed three major health care bills

during the session: the pooling bill, which called for

opening up the rich and expensive state employee

health plan to small businesses and other groups; the

SustiNet bill, which greatly expands the state bureau-

cracy and state government’s role in the health care system; and the

mega-mandate bill, which proposed adding six new coverage man-

dates onto private health plans in the state. Gov. Rell vetoed all three

bills, and the vetoes of the pooling bill and the mega-mandate bill

were sustained by the legislature. However, the General Assembly

overrode the governor’s veto of the SustiNet bill.

SustiNet was developed and advanced by the Universal Health Care

Foundation, a well-funded organization committed to expanding the

role of state government in the effort to provide universal coverage.

The original SustiNet proposal had a cost of more than $1 billion, so it

was scaled back significantly before passage. The law creates a board of

directors charged with developing the implementation plan for

SustiNet, which must report back to the legislature on that plan in 2011.

At the time she vetoed the SustiNet bill, Gov. Rell created the

Connecticut Health Care Reform Advisory Board to develop a set of

proposed health care policies in response to federal health care

reforms. We will work with all groups to ensure that reform in

Connecticut improves upon, rather than abandons, the current mar-

ket-based, employer-sponsored system.

One positive health care measure approved by the legislature this year

calls for a review of all existing and proposed health insurance mandates

to determine their relative costs and benefits.

EducationSome progress was made this year on the critical need

to improve education in order to prepare a workforce

able to compete in the 21st-century economy. The

General Assembly approved a proposal that will make

it easier for midcareer professionals to become public

school teachers through the Alternate Route to Teacher Certification

program. Lawmakers also passed a bill that requires the state

Department of Education to develop and implement a public school

information system that will track the performance of individual stu-

dents on each of the statewide mastery tests.

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In addition, progress was made on the vital issue of high school reform

and raising high school graduation standards statewide. A bill to raise

standards passed the Education Committee and came close to being

adopted by the full General Assembly. Also, the Connecticut State

University System earlier this year adopted a policy declaring that its

admission requirements for new students will be equivalent to the

new standards called for by the legislation, giving additional urgency

to the need to pass comprehensive high school reform. We expect that

this will be a significant issue in the 2010 session, and we will work to

gain passage next year.

Labor and employmentDespite the efforts of Democratic leaders and many of

their caucus members, no harmful workplace bills

passed the General Assembly.

The Working Families Party—a labor-backed, statewide

coalition of liberal-leaning groups—launched a large-

scale lobbying effort in support of an employer-paid sick-leave man-

date. The bill passed the House of Representatives but died in the

Senate when we were able to garner the support of half the members

of that chamber. Since the bill would have died on a tie vote, it was

never called.

Although the margin of victory was slim, that success would not have

been possible without a very active, engaged, and committed CBIA mem-

bership. Grassroots activities included a session at Connecticut Business

Day that gave members a chance to speak with legislators about work-

place issues, letters from members presented at public hearings at the

Capitol, and the formation of coalitions with many business groups from

across the state.

In addition to stopping the paid sick leave bill, we were also able to

defeat the captive audience measure and bills that would have

increased workers’ compensation costs and held employers liable for

acts of bullying in the workplace.

Energy No major energy legislation affecting business was

adopted in 2009. We successfully defeated several

harmful energy bills, including one that would have

moved the state into the energy purchasing business

and another that would have imposed a windfall prof-

its tax on coal and nuclear power plants. A third bill that never became

law would have eliminated the ability of some business consumers to

realize savings by choosing their energy suppliers.

Environment and land useThis year, we were able to help pass favorable legisla-

tion and defeat all major environment and land-use

bills that would have been detrimental to businesses.

On the positive side, the legislature approved meas-

ures promoting the beneficial reuse of certain waste

materials, streamlining the development of mill properties, facilitating

development of a green building code for Connecticut, and helping

redevelop more brownfield properties. Also approved were two bills

that define smart growth and smart-growth principles and begin to

help the state incorporate those principles into policies and projects.

Several bills that would have weakened Connecticut’s business climate

were stopped before coming to a vote. They included two proposals

promoted by the state Department of Environmental Protection that

would have expanded the agency’s powers to arbitrarily impose fines

and increase business costs.

Business law and liabilityPreventing identity theft and increasing consumer

protections were once again topics of considerable

discussion in the legislature. One bill that passed

increases criminal penalties for identity theft and dis-

semination of personal information. The trial bar sub-

mitted numerous measures designed to promote the filing of more

lawsuits, but those efforts were largely unsuccessful. Throughout the

session, we worked very closely with lawmakers and the Rell adminis-

tration to ensure that any legislation that passed provided significant

protections but was not excessively onerous for businesses.

TransportationBudget constraints and other factors made for a quiet

year for transportation issues at the State Capitol.

Gov. Rell vetoed a bill that called for the microman-

agement of several aspects of the Department of

Transportation, but the legislature overrode her veto.

CBIA supported a proposal to improve the organization and authority

of the Bradley International Airport board of directors and establish a

Bradley economic development zone in portions of three surrounding

towns. The bill did not pass, but we will work to gain additional sup-

port for it next year. Finally, the state’s Transportation Strategy Board

postponed making an anticipated recommendation to the General

Assembly on reviving highway tolls.

Other legislationAt our urging, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring the

state to consider the fiscal impact of proposed regulations on small

businesses. We were also able to stop a bill that would have put the

state in the business of selling retirement plans to small businesses.

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Governor Relladdresses business leaders at ConnecticutBusiness Day.

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PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND OUTREACH

C BIA members and the voting public play a critical role in

urging state legislators and other policymakers to support job

creation and economic growth in Connecticut. To ensure that

their voices are heard at the State Capitol, we offer our members and

the general public a wide variety of ways to get involved in grassroots

activities and stay informed on developing business issues.

At no time were those voices more important than during this year’s

General Assembly session, when the business community faced myriad

legislative challenges on the tax, labor, and health care fronts.

Throughout the year, CBIA provided timely blog posts and e-mail

alerts on breaking legislative and regulatory news, weekly

Government Affairs Reports, and regular video updates on legislative

activity—with impressive results. In response to our e-mail alerts about

several new business tax bills, we received hundreds of pieces of testi-

mony from member companies. We were able to present these to the

General Assembly’s Finance Committee and help hold the line on

harmful new tax increases.

We also gave our members numerous opportunities to meet with leg-

islators and serve on councils and committees that provide powerful

forums in which to become involved in the legislative and regulatory

process.

And our intensive media relations efforts and advertising campaigns

helped communicate our positions statewide on such critical issues as

business taxes, mandated sick leave, and health care reform.

E-outreachCBIA’s public policy staff made

extensive use of Internet-driven

tools, including web-based and

e-mail-embedded video, social

media, and blogs to inform our

members and the public on

breaking business news from the

State Capitol. Video, including

updates from the Capitol, is now

a regular feature on our home-

page.

“Inside the Capitol” blog: During the 2009 legislative session and as

needed throughout the year, our lobbying staff posted blog entries to

alert members to critical legislative activities affecting Connecticut’s

business community and our economy.

“First notice” e-mails: As developments occurred at the State Capitol,

our lobbying staff sent up-to-the-minute e-mails to CBIA member

groups, such as the Government Affairs Council and Tax Committee.

“Take action” e-mails: Our alerts to members generated nearly

30,000 messages to legislators and the governor. Alerts included a

brief description of an upcoming vote, with a link to contact informa-

tion for local legislators or legislative committees. CBIA members con-

tacted more legislators than ever on issues such as mandatory paid sick

leave, “captive audience,” taxes, and the state budget.

“Take action” web pages: CBIA directed members to customized web

pages with detailed information and video updates, making it easy for

Informing and mobilizingour members and the public on issues critical toConnecticut business

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Manufacturing & Technology Day

1. Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele (right) and CBIA President and CEO John Rathgeber (center) speak with Aily Nguyen of Sargent Manufacturing. 2. Sen. John Kissel (right)with RSCC’s Dennis Chalk. 3. Rep. Elizabeth Esty (center) speaks with Martin D’Eramo and Kristen Studley of United Technologies. 4. Rep. Selim Noujaim (left) visits theElectric Boat display, staffed by (left to right) Jack Shea, Bob Hamilton, and Chris Lane. 5. Rep. Emil “Buddy” Altobello (left) chats with Cyrus Gilman of the GilmanBrothers Company. 6. Rep. Toni Walker (right) learns about ebm-papst from Phil Hartman and Stephanie Norbert. 7. Rep. Pamela Sawyer and Horst Engineering’s ScottLivingston (center) talk with a reporter. 8. Rep. Patricia Widlitz takes the controls of the HotSeat Chassis driving simulator as Alan Wattenmaker (left), Rep. Carlo Leone,Rep. Sandy Nafis, and CBIA’s Bonnie Stewart look on. 9. Rep. Terrie Wood with FuelCell Energy’s Frank Wolak (left) and Rich Shaw. 10. Reps. Theresa Conroy (left),Michelle Cook, and Barbara Lambert learn about candy manufacturing from Jim Florence of Munson’s Chocolates.

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users to contact legislators and influence the debate on critical bills. Our

page on labor and employment focused on several anti-business bills,

including mandated paid sick leave, “card check,” and “captive audi-

ence,” none of which passed. Our page on the economic effects of the

many harmful tax proposals raised this year was the primary vehicle for

viewers of our television advertising campaign to learn the ins and outs

of the tax legislation and make their opinions known.

Social networking: We have begun using social networking media to

educate and engage more of our members and Connecticut residents

on important policy issues affecting business. We are using Flickr for

media distribution, YouTube for fast distribution of videos, and Twitter

for communicating with users via text messaging.

Connecting business leaders and legislatorsMeetings with legislators: Prior to and during the legislative ses-

sion, we collaborated with local chambers of commerce to host break-

fast meetings for legislators and businesspeople in various districts.

We also held numerous topic-specific meetings throughout the state,

bringing together influential legislators and business experts from

CBIA member companies. The most talked-about topic was taxes: the

corporate tax structure and how tax policy affects businesses’ long-

and short-term planning and expansion planning.

Connecticut Business Day: Hundreds of businesspeople from across

Connecticut came to the Legislative Office Building on March 4 for this

annual event, which is co-hosted with the Connecticut Association of

Chamber of Commerce Executives. Businesses and legislators heard

about tax, labor, economic development, and transportation issues

from various experts, including state legislators. The day began with

an economic overview from the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, fol-

lowed by four breakout sessions and a press conference emphasizing

the importance of business in our state.

Manufacturing & Technology Day: Thirty-five Connecticut compa-

nies showcased their products and high-tech equipment at CBIA’s

Manufacturing & Technology Day, May 13 at the State Capitol. CBIA

holds the event every other year to help state legislators and other

public officials better understand the vital contribution manufacturers

and technology companies make to Connecticut’s economy and how

legislative decisions can affect the manufacturing sector—one of the

state’s most critical economic drivers. This year, visitors at the exhibits

included more than 60 legislators and Lt. Gov. Mike Fedele.

Election Activities: CBIA member companies hosted local candidates

for the state legislature for “Business Meets Politics Week” prior to the

November elections. Some companies hosted one candidate at a time,

allowing employees to talk with candidates and learn more about

them. Other companies invited two opposing candidates to talk to

employees in a mini-debate format. Some of CBIA’s larger member

companies held “candidate fairs,” where all candidates running for

office in several contiguous towns were invited to attend a lunchtime

event to discuss key issues with company employees.

Member councils and committeesMembers who participated in various CBIA councils and committees

stayed abreast of proposed laws and regulations and provided feed-

back to state legislators and other government policymakers. They

networked with their peers, learned about new compliance issues and

trends affecting their companies, and were instrumental in helping to

shape CBIA’s legislative and regulatory policy agendas, analyze pro-

posed legislation and regulation, and guide us in our public policy

advocacy. Member participation in CBIA councils and committees was

a critical component of our success at the State Capitol this year as we

worked to support pro-business, pro-growth legislation and fought

against various tax, labor, health care, and other measures that would

have harmed Connecticut companies.

Manufacturers and Small Business Advisory Councils: In January,

these groups held a joint meeting with Senate Chief Assistant Majority

Leader Jonathan Harris to review the 2009 state legislative agenda.

In May, the Manufacturers Advisory Council, led by Chair Peter Kent,

CEO and chairman of Bicron Electronics Corp., sponsored Manufacturing

& Technology Day at the State Capitol to highlight the importance of

manufacturing in the state’s economy. Throughout the year, council

members heard legislative updates from CBIA’s government affairs

staff, reviewed the results from the 2008 Survey of Connecticut

Businesses, and discussed a variety of topics critical to manufacturers,

including sustainability; Six Sigma, lean, and Shainin techniques for

continuous improvement; and the implications of the election results

for the manufacturing sector.

Under the leadership of Chair Jerry Long, CEO and president of PCC

Technology Group LLC, the Small Business Advisory Council held four

meetings that included discussions of proposed issues for CBIA’s 2009

Government Affairs Program, an update from the U.S. Small Business

Administration’s Office of Advocacy on federal legislation and regula-

tions, and a review of strategies for making members’ facilities more

eco-friendly. The council also conferred on grassroots initiatives, inno-

vative financing, and jobs and the economy, and each meeting includ-

ed an up-to-the minute briefing on proposed legislation by CBIA’s

government affairs staff.

Human Resources Council: Attended by some of the top HR profes-

sionals in the state, HR Council meetings helped members keep up-to-

date on current trends, the most recent state and federal court deci-

sions, and developing legal issues affecting their day-to-day opera-

tions. The council held five meetings that focused on the following

topics: the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), changes to the

Americans with Disabilities Act and FMLA and the impact of new regu-

lations, avoiding problems associated with employee Internet use,

human resources’ role in creating an eco-friendly workplace, and leg-

islative activity affecting the workplace.

Government Affairs Council: With participants from nearly 60 of

the largest companies in the state, the Government Affairs Council

was instrumental this year in helping state lawmakers understand the

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business and economic implications of a wide range of legislative pro-

posals. In particular, council members met with legislators throughout

the session to explain how tax and labor measures that increase the

cost of doing business here have a very real impact on companies’ abil-

ity to compete in the global economy—and on their decisions about

whether to continue operating in Connecticut.

Environmental Policies Council: Guided by Chair Dave Smith, gen-

eral manager at We Recycle! Inc., the EPC worked aggressively this

year to stop harmful legislative and regulatory proposals concerning

spill and cleanup requirements and the enforcement authority of the

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The council also

played a significant role in passing a bill limiting liability for brown-

field redevelopers and initiated a successful effort to pass legislation

requiring state agencies to consider the impact of future proposed

regulations on small businesses.

EPC members and staff continue to serve on a variety of DEP advisory

groups that address such issues as spill reporting, water discharge per-

mitting, and hazardous waste compliance. The council also represents

the business community on the DEP Commissioner’s stakeholder work-

group, which meets quarterly with the commissioner to advise the

agency on policy direction. During the past year, the EPC also present-

ed programs to educate members about a variety of issues, including

stormwater management, energy technologies, green building strate-

gies, environmental justice, environmental enforcement, and business

recycling requirements.

Tax Committee: Under the leadership of Chair Charles Lenore, partner

in the law firm of Day Pitney LLP, CBIA’s tax committee played a crucial

role in drafting positions adopted by our Board of Directors regarding

taxes and government spending. Committee members consulted

frequently with CBIA’s government affairs staff, lending expertise that

guided our advocacy efforts during the regular General Assembly ses-

sion and long afterward. The committee also provided an indispensable

grassroots function, meeting with legislators to educate them on the

complex tax bills raised by the legislature’s finance committee, includ-

ing proposals to repeal critical sales tax exemptions and limit business

tax credits. Thanks to our tax committee’s tireless efforts, those meas-

ures were defeated.

Labor and Employment Law Council: Consisting of attorneys and

senior human resource managers specializing in this area of business

law, the Labor and Employment Law Council offered input into CBIA’s

government affairs agenda and ongoing analysis of legislative and reg-

ulatory proposals throughout the General Assembly session. Council

members initiated contact and maintained relationships with legislators

on priority labor and employment issues and assisted CBIA’s govern-

ment affairs team with grassroots activities. They also shared valuable

expertise on labor and employment matters with legislators and other

public officials, explaining the impact that proposed actions would

have on the business community.

Workers’ Compensation Council: Led by Chair Jack Shea, chief of

government relations at Electric Boat Corp., the Workers’ Compensation

Council has been instrumental in fighting harmful legislative propos-

als. This year, the group—composed primarily of managers and other

professionals responsible for their companies’ workers’ compensation

programs—provided valuable input into CBIA’s Government Affairs

Program and legislative agenda and played a key role in informing

state legislators of the financial, administrative, and claims manage-

ment implications of proposed changes to the state workers’ compen-

sation laws. The council also represented the business community

before the Workers’ Compensation Commission and other state agen-

cies and coordinated diverse groups of business interests around public

policy goals in the workers’ compensation arena. In addition, council

members monitored, analyzed, and kept CBIA informed about legal

decisions that affected employers’ workers’ compensation costs and

claims management actions.

Public awareness advertising Well before this year’s legislative session began, our government

affairs team recognized that the biggest challenge for the governor

and the General Assembly would be to reach agreement on a biennial

state budget that would close rapidly growing short- and long-term

deficits. We also anticipated that, despite the worst economic down-

turn in decades, many legislators would seek to address Connecticut’s

fiscal crisis by proposing structural changes to the state’s tax code that

would significantly increase the tax burden on businesses and further

slow economic growth.

As a result, CBIA launched a coordinated

television and radio advertising cam-

paign that asked lawmakers to make

Connecticut’s economy “issue number

one.” The ads, which aired in early

January, urged legislators and other poli-

cymakers to avoid tax increases that

would threaten the state’s economic recovery and lead to even more job

losses. A second round of radio spots extended the campaign through

the end of February.

At the end of April, we launched a second television ad that once again

called on policymakers to protect jobs by improving Connecticut’s busi-

ness climate and avoiding harmful tax increases. The spot began with a

stark, black-and-white graphic that read, “58,000 Jobs Lost in

Gina McCarthy, former commissioner of theConnecticut DEP and newlyappointed assistant admin-istrator, Office of Air andRadiation, U.S. EPA, speaksat a conference hosted byCBIA’s EnvironmentalPolicies Council.

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Connecticut.” A voice-over stressed the need for state government to cut

its budget, just as Connecticut businesses and families were doing in

response to the recession. The ad pointed out that being pro-jobs and

anti-business were opposing positions and concluded by stating that the

best way to help working people is to make Connecticut pro-business

and pro-jobs. We reinforced that spot with a concurrent newspaper ad

that ran in seven major Connecticut dailies.

For our final public policy campaign, we revised our second television

ad and ran the spot at the end of the regular legislative session. It

opened with the original “58,000 Jobs Lost” graphic, which then

clicked forward to total “65,600 Jobs Lost.” The voice-over content

was similar to the first version’s but also noted poll results indicating

that Connecticut voters wanted to avoid tax increases that would

result in more job losses.

To help inform our advertising campaigns throughout the year, we

contracted with Zogby International for public opinion polling on pub-

lic policy issues affecting business, with particular emphasis on taxes,

the state budget, jobs, and the economy. Results were featured on

CBIA’s website, in CBIA News, and in other CBIA publications.

News media coverageCBIA kept Connecticut’s business issues in the public eye year-round

through news releases, editorial board visits, and newsroom briefings,

resulting in 1,274 newspaper articles and 631 television and radio

reports.

CBIA experts on the air and in the news: Our economic and public

policy experts discussed business, legislative, and economic issues on

radio stations statewide, including weekly spots on WGCH in Greenwich

and monthly reports on WDRC in Hartford. We also contributed

monthly articles, survey results, and op-ed pieces to Connecticut

business journals and newspapers and weekly articles to the Fairfield

County Business Journal. This year, we sent interviews of CBIA experts

in MP3 format to radio stations on topics critical to the business com-

munity. Interviews aired regularly on radio stations across Connecticut,

and print reporters included information from them in their articles

and editorials.

CBIA Business Minute: Now in its twentieth year, this 60-second

radio spot airs daily during drive time on eight Connecticut radio

stations. It projects CBIA’s expertise on business topics and provides

an important vehicle for discussing our legislative priorities. Business

Minute clips can now also be heard on our website. This year’s spots

featured interviews with University of Connecticut President Michael

Hogan and Department of Economic and Community Development

Commissioner Joan McDonald, as well as several CBIA members,

including John Patrick, president and CEO of Farmington Savings Bank,

and Bill Harris, vice president, vertical market-education, Trane

Connecticut. Business Minute segments covered topics such as tax cred-

its, consumer-driven health care (HSAs and HRAs), social networking

for business, and changes to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Video: CBIA’s website continued to provide video highlights of our

conferences and staff television appearances. Notable this year was

our video of Manufacturing & Technology Day at the Capitol, which

featured CBIA members

discussing the major

legislative issues that

affect their ability to

remain competitive in

Connecticut. The video

was posted to our web-

site and to YouTube and

sent to legislators. We

also produced and post-

ed videos of our members testifying at the Capitol on a variety of

issues—from health care to mandated paid sick leave—as well as mem-

bers being interviewed by local TV, radio, and newspaper reporters.

In addition, this year we began posting video clips to our website and

YouTube featuring our government affairs staff testifying on bills at

the State Capitol and giving weekly legislative briefings and up-to-the-

minute reports on developments at the Capitol for our members and

the media.

We also produced and distributed to our members and the media

more than a dozen economic updates that included topics such as the

latest CBIA survey information, unemployment figures, actions of the

Federal Reserve, and state budget issues. Our economic updates can

be found at www.cbia.com/newsroom.

Speakers bureauThroughout the year, CBIA staff experts spoke at events around the

state and at national conferences, discussing legislative or regulatory

issues, the economy, education, job training, human resources, and

other business topics.

14

15

MEMBER SERVICES

A lthough the past year was one of the most challenging in

memory for Connecticut businesses, it also offered opportu-

nities for companies to step back, rethink the way they do

business, and emerge from the recession poised for growth. Whether

our members needed advice on securing business loans or were looking

for opportunities to expand market share during the downturn, CBIA

was there with critical updates on economic and regulatory develop-

ments and a wide array of valuable services to help them become bet-

ter informed and better able to operate their businesses efficiently,

productively, and profitably.

To respond to our members’ evolving needs and changes in the eco-

nomic environment, we continually add new services and improve

existing ones. During the past year, for example, we

• Launched HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) administration

as a free service to members who participate in our Health

Connections program, helping them save money on their health

insurance premiums. We also provided HRA training for over 500

health insurance agents in Connecticut.

• Conducted timely web seminars on rapidly developing issues, includ-

ing COBRA changes resulting from the American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the federal stimulus package) and

obtaining financing during the credit crunch

• Partnered with BDC Capital to conduct over a dozen free informa-

tional sessions and web seminars on alternative financing options

for our member companies

• Conducted training programs, webcasts, and conferences on

compliance with the European Union’s new REACH (Registration,

Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) directives

• Led an informational forum on the federal stimulus package with

experts from federal and state government

• Hosted discussions with labor law experts on the impact of pending

federal legislation on workforce standards, pay, and union issues

Our services helped members comply with new laws and regulations,

develop eco-friendly business practices, streamline their operations

through the application of lean and other practices, save money, bet-

ter manage personnel, and operate a safe workplace.

Expert informationEvery year thousands of people from member companies turn to CBIA

as a trusted source of business information. Our free telephone con-

sulting service, e-newsletters, user-friendly website, conferences, online

and offline seminars, research reports, and informative publications

give members the information they need to comply with government

regulations, learn new business strategies, and stay up-to-date on the

latest economic trends.

Web seminars: CBIA conducted more than a dozen free web seminars

for members on topics as diverse as green business, human resources,

the economy, obtaining financing in the credit crunch, and insurance

plan designs. Within two weeks of President Obama’s signing of the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, CBIA created and conducted

a web seminar titled, “COBRA Changes Resulting from the Stimulus

Package,” which drew over 500 attendees. In addition, a web seminar

on the tax implications of various types of health plans (including HRAs,

HSAs, Sect. 125 Plans, and COBRA) on different corporate structures

drew over 200 attendees.

Call Us First! telephone consulting: CBIA’s staff experts answered

approximately 9,000 phone inquiries from members. Most calls con-

cerned employee relations, compliance with employment laws and

Providing tools and knowledge to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability

16

regulations, and other human resources issues.

Website enhancements: In Fiscal Year 2008–2009, our website aver-

aged 49,500 visits per month. During that time, we made several

improvements to cbia.com, including

• A redesign of the home page, incorporating usability principles to

create a better online experience for our members

• “What Can CBIA Do for You?”—a collection of videos outlining the

various products and services CBIA offers its member businesses—

from the smallest startups to the largest corporations

• A new online store with simplified program registration and prod-

uct purchasing

• Videos featuring real-time public policy developments at the State

Capitol

Breaking news from the State Capitol: Our government affairs

staff stays in close touch with legislators, regulatory personnel, and

other public officials in order to keep members informed about new

or proposed legislation and regulations. In addition to posting timely

information on our “Inside the Capitol” blog, this year we sent numer-

ous “take action” e-mail alerts, created customized web pages on criti-

cal legislation, and used video and social media to keep our members

and the public up-to-date on business-related public policy issues. We

also kept our members informed about government actions through

our Government Affairs Report, articles in the monthly CBIA News,

and events that enabled our members to meet with state legislators.

Help with HR and safety management: Our popular series of

human resources surveys provided members with data on compensa-

tion, benefits, and personnel practices in the Connecticut marketplace.

This year, we conducted 11 HR surveys of 95,589 employees on topics

including for-profit and nonprofit compensation and benefits, execu-

tive-level compensation, and background-check practices.

Our HR publications and other resources give members guidance on

such issues as personnel policies, performance appraisals, and COBRA

compliance. Our best-sellers this year were the CBIA Employee

Handbook Software, the CBIA Poster Compliance Kit, and the What to

Do About Personnel Problems in Connecticut employer’s guide.

Our biweekly Human

Resources E-News and

Safety & Health E-News as

well as the monthly CBIA

News kept members up-

to-date on trends, new

laws, court cases, work-

force development assis-

tance, and other essential

workplace information.

CBIA News also provided

advice on issues such as

handling religious differ-

ences in the workplace

(September 2008), guard-

ing against employee

fraud and embezzlement

(December 2008), managing chronic complainers in the workplace

(February 2009), easing veterans’ reentry into your workforce (May

2009), and managing family and medical leave under new state and

federal regulations (June 2009).

Members also learned valuable human resources strategies at our

annual supervisors’ conference, human resources conference, and

seminars on workplace law, health and wellness, safety, and benefits

and compensation. Our offerings also included these timely new

programs:

• Background Checks and Employee Privacy in the Age of Facebook

and Google—What’s Legal and Effective (December)

• Economy in Crisis: Managing Layoffs and Other Survival Strategies

(December)

• Family Business: Tools and Techniques to Survive the Stress of These

Trying Times (web seminar—April)

• What Impact Will the Obama Administration Have on Workplace

Safety Initiatives? (web seminar—April)

• Your Business Continuity Plan and the Pandemic Flu (June)

We continued to offer our well-received six-course Compensation and

Benefits Series, and our four-course CBIA Management Institute

helped small businesses develop the leadership skills of their top per-

formers.

Green and sustainable business: In addition to providing informa-

tion and resources in CBIA’s online Green Business Center

(www.cbia.com/green), we surveyed Connecticut businesses about

their corporate sustainability and green business practices and released

the results (available at www.cbia.com/newsroom/surveys) at our third

annual Corporate Sustainability Conference in June.

Sustainability topics were featured in CBIA News articles on the new

Connecticut Energy Workforce Development Consortium (February

2009), the effect of the economic downturn on green business prac-

tices (June 2009), and the ins and outs of the LEED (Leadership in

17

Energy and Environmental Design) certification process (October

2009).

In addition, CBIA continued to work with the Academy of Engineering

and Green Technology, a learning community of 380 students at Hartford

Public High School. We arranged for school visits by member companies,

student tours of company facilities, and other activities designed to inte-

grate real-world context into students’ academic experience.

Economic conferences and programs: 887 business executives,

state legislators, and other policymakers attended the following CBIA

events to learn about the conditions underlying the recession, the

direction of key economic indicators, and forecasts for recovery:

• The Connecticut Economy (September 2008)

• Fairfield County Economic Summit and Outlook (September 2008)

• 2009 Economic Summit and Outlook (January 2009)

• Connecticut Economic Update (May 2009)

Our ninth annual “What’s the Deal?” business energy conference in

October 2008 drew 241 exhibitors and attendees, and CBIA’s 2009

Connecticut Business Tax Conference in May, which had 95 partici-

pants, included panel discussions and breakout sessions on nexus, sales

and use tax, and preparing for an employment tax audit.

Surveys and reports: CBIA provides members, government officials,

and news media with information on business, economic, and state fis-

cal trends. This year we conducted and reported the results of 17 pub-

lic policy and economic surveys. Our quarterly economic survey and TD

Banknorth credit survey provided critical information throughout the

year as the recession took hold in Connecticut and affected businesses

throughout the state. We also commissioned two surveys from Zogby

International to gauge Connecticut residents’ opinions on business-

related public policy issues—in particular, taxes, jobs, state fiscal policy,

and the economy. Results were published on our website, in the March

and June issues of CBIA News, and in other CBIA publications.

Our ongoing surveys included the CBIA/BlumShapiro Survey of

Connecticut Businesses, with a breakout of manufacturing results; the

2009 Hartford-Springfield Regional Business Survey; CBIA’s

International Trade Survey; and the 2009 Sustainability and

Connecticut Business Survey.

Most of our survey results and reports are available at www.cbia.com/

newsroom/surveys.

Group purchasing and member discountsCBIA Energy Connections: In just the last three years, Energy

Connections has helped more than 554 member companies enter into

multiyear electricity contracts with a total value of approximately $74

million per year. Of those companies, more than 475 secured electricity

contracts through our aggregation service for small and midsize members.

For more than 10 years, Energy Connections has also helped compa-

nies that rely on natural gas to control their costs by closely monitor-

ing the markets and employing an innovative Internet auction process.

Our members now purchase 1.23 billion cubic feet of natural gas valued

at more than $11 million.

Approximately 630 member companies now contract for gas or electric

energy through CBIA’s Energy Connections.

Member discounts: This year, more than 5,400 members have

accessed the Member Discounts area of our website, saving money on

hundreds of business products and services. A new vendor, Heritage

Crystal Clean, which provides manufacturing parts cleaning and envi-

ronmental services, has recently joined the ranks of other participating

CBIA Member Discount vendors, including Staples, CareerBuilder.com,

and Baker St. Associates.

When members contact participating vendors through our site, they

get discount prices on office equipment, safety supplies, signs, docu-

ment shredding, background checks, green business products, and

many other products and services used in the course of doing business.

Members also enjoy special pricing for CBIA programs, publications,

CDs, and videos.

18

19

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

T his year, one of the most difficult in decades for Connecticut

employers, has seen widespread layoffs and downsizing in

many of the state’s key industry sectors. One consequence

has been a temporary, partial reversal of a longstanding trend toward

workforce shortages. In a survey of Connecticut businesses conducted

by CBIA and BlumShapiro this summer, 68% of companies reported no

difficulty finding or attracting qualified workers. In contrast, surveys in

2008 and 2007 revealed workforce shortages among 61% and 66% of

respondents, respectively.

We know, however, that this state of affairs will not last. The underly-

ing factors that have created a workforce crisis in many of Connecticut’s

base industries are still with us: an aging population, skill shortages,

the achievement gap between urban and suburban students, and the

steady exodus of workers in the 25-to-34-year-old demographic—

faster here than in any other state. As the economy recovers and

Connecticut companies are faced with the need to rebuild their work-

forces, those issues will return to the forefront. In fact, even in the

current economic climate, they continue to take a toll. The survey

cited above revealed that 32% of respondents are still struggling to

recruit qualified employees. The majority of those companies are

manufacturers, where a shortage of workers for high-skill, technical

jobs is typically most acute.

To help Connecticut protect its strategic advantage, which has tradi-

tionally been its highly skilled workforce, CBIA works closely with state

policymakers, the education community, and employers on improving

schools and student achievement so that graduates have the skills to

succeed in the workplace. Similarly, we work to create stronger links

between the higher education community and business, ensuring that

higher education is more responsive to the needs of the industries that

drive Connecticut’s economy.

CBIA also provides workforce training and consulting services to

upgrade the skills of incumbent workers. Through public policy initia-

tives and the work of our Education Foundation, we seek to build a

robust education and training system that gives Connecticut businesses

the skilled workers they need to thrive in a high-tech global economy.

Public policy advocacyImproving education in Connecticut schools: CBIA has been a

strong and vocal advocate of Connecticut’s plan for secondary-school

reform for years, arguing that Connecticut students need to be better

prepared for success in postsecondary education and the workplace.

That plan received more attention from policymakers in 2009 than

ever before.

The high school reform plan—as proposed by the Connecticut State

Department of Education (SDE) and Education Commissioner Mark

McQuillan and raised as a bill by the General Assembly’s Education

Committee—not only reforms the secondary-school curriculum and

strengthens graduation requirements, it also ensures that students

receive the guidance and support they need to meet more rigorous

academic standards.

Unfortunately, the proposal did not succeed this year. It did, however,

gain more momentum than it had in the past. Strong support came

from both chambers of the state legislature, and many lawmakers

worked hard to advance the measure. The plan also got a boost from

the Connecticut State University System, which adopted a policy stating

that its admission requirements will be equivalent to the new standards

proposed in the legislation.

Building a skilled workforce forConnecticut’s businesses

20

The business community, despite struggling through the worst economic

downturn in decades, continued to support education reform, recog-

nizing its transcendent importance and the urgent need to preserve

Connecticut’s most valuable economic resource—its educated and

highly skilled workforce.

The SDE continues to push the reform plan forward and has begun

the process of applying for a $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” grant,

part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Obtaining federal dollars will enable the SDE to present the General

Assembly with a more concrete plan that addresses some of the fund-

ing concerns when the education reform bill is raised again in next

year’s legislative session. CBIA will work hard to support the SDE’s

efforts and see that this critical legislation succeeds.

Expanding AP courses and enrollment Through a grant from the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI),

CBIA’s Education Foundation launched Project Opening Doors (POD) in

October 2007. The six-year project is creating incentive and training

programs to increase the number of high school students who take

Advanced Placement (AP) courses in math, science, and English and

score a 3 or better on their AP exams. A significant and growing body

of research shows that participation in AP coursework is predictive of

academic success in college. The NMSI grant was awarded to the

Education Foundation in partnership with the Connecticut depart-

ments of Education and Higher Education; the Connecticut Academy

for Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology; and the

Connecticut Science Center.

POD successes: Since its launch, POD has increased the number of AP

classes in math, science, and English across the state and the number of

nontraditional students taking those classes. Enrollment of minority

and underrepresented students has increased dramatically in participat-

ing schools and is now above the state average.

Among the nine Cohort 1 schools (see sidebar), enrollment in AP class-

es has increased from 949 (2007–2008) to 1,448 (2008–2009) to 1,886

(2009–2010) students. An additional 12 schools (comprising Cohort 2)

began participating in the program this fall, bringing total enrollment

in POD to approximately 3,500 students.

AP test results: In May, students from the nine Cohort 1 schools took

their math, science, and English (MSE) Advanced Placement exams,

and the results solidly confirm the efficacy of the intensive interven-

tion provided by Project Opening Doors.

The number of students passing the MSE exams in the nine POD schools

increased by 12.3% over last year, compared with a statewide increase

of 4.1% and an increase of 5.7% nationally.

For minority students, the increase in passing scores over 2008 was

even more dramatic. The nine Cohort 1 schools had a 26.2% increase

in the number of minority students passing the MSE exams—compared

with 2.3% statewide and 13% nationally—and a 103.6% increase in

the number of minority students taking the exams.

The positive impact of Project Opening Doors was also evident among

low-income students. Although the nine Cohort 1 schools represent

11% of Connecticut’s low-income high school enrollment, they

accounted for 35% of all passing MSE exam scores by low-income stu-

dents in the state and 42.7% of all MSE exams taken by low-income

students. The POD schools had a 10.1% increase over last year in the

number of low-income students passing MSE exams and a 47.7%

increase in the number of low-income students taking the exams.

Teacher and student enrichment: POD and its sister program,

Access for All, hosted a collaborative AP summer institute with Eastern

Connecticut State University. More than 70 teachers attended.

Participants learned strategies for teaching AP courses to a diverse

Participating High Schools

Cohort 1 (started in 2007)

Ansonia High School

Bulkeley High School (Hartford)

Coventry High School

East Hartford High School

New Britain High School

New London High School

Putnam High School

Westhill High School (Stamford)

Wilby High School (Waterbury)

Cohort 2 (started in 2009)

Academy of Engineering and Green Technology (Hartford)

Bacon Academy (Colchester)

Bassick High School (Bridgeport)

Bloomfield High School

Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High School (NewHaven)

Hill Regional Career Magnet High School (New Haven)

Parish Hill High School (Chaplin)

Plainville High School

Wilbur Cross High School (New Haven)

Windham High School

Windsor High School

Windsor Locks High School

21

range of learners. POD and Access for All also ran a three-day work-

shop for 20 school counselors. Presenters for this workshop were from

the National Office of School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA) of The

College Board.

In addition, the Academy of Scholars summer programs were held at

various high schools throughout the state and drew 164 students from

POD-participating schools. The programs helped prepare students for

success in a variety of challenging pre-AP and AP courses they are

taking this school year.

Union challenges: During the 2008–2009 school year, Project

Opening Doors was the subject of three binding-arbitration hearings.

Challenges surfaced in Stamford, Waterbury, and Coventry. In each

case, the bargaining units have argued against providing teachers

bonus money based on the number of qualifying scores (3 or better)

achieved by their students on math, science, and English AP tests. In all

three hearings, the decisions rendered were in favor of the boards of

education, supporting the validity of paying the bonuses. The

Stamford arbitration decision was appealed to superior court, and the

judge’s ruling is awaited.

Additional support for POD: This year, CBIA received a three-year,

$1.2 million National Science Foundation ITEST (Innovative Technology

Experiences for Students and Teachers) grant that will support POD by

bolstering ninth- and tenth-graders’ interest in rigorous math and

science subjects—thereby increasing the number of eleventh- and

twelfth-grade students taking AP courses. CBIA’s long-term goal in

obtaining the grant is to strengthen the pipeline of students entering

Connecticut’s energy, aerospace, and biotechnology industries, all key

sectors of the state’s economy.

The grant will enable more than 1,000 underrepresented ninth- and

tenth-grade students in POD schools to take part in a “cyberchallenge”

using a variety of technology-based educational tools. A portion of the

grant will provide laptops, software, and other equipment necessary

for schools to participate.

The program will begin at the Connecticut Science Center, where stu-

dents will be divided into interschool teams and challenged to solve

real-world industry problems identified by four Connecticut compa-

nies—United Technologies Corp., Pfizer, General Electric, and

Northeast Utilities. As they work on their projects throughout the

school year, student teams will hold virtual meetings using advanced

Web 2.0 technology tools. In the spring, the teams will reconvene at

the science center to present their solutions to a panel of industry

experts from the four partner companies.

The grant also provides cybertechnology training to enable teachers to

guide student teams as they work to solve their industry problems. In

addition, teachers will have the opportunity to participate in extern-

ships at the four companies involved in the program.

Partners in the grant include several POD school districts, the Connecticut

State Department of Education, the Connecticut Science Center,

Central Connecticut State University, and the Connecticut Community

Colleges’ College of Technology. EASTCONN, one of the state’s six

Regional Education Service Centers, will provide cybertechnology

training for teachers and develop the cyberchallenge learning activity.

For more information about POD, go to www.cbia.com/pod.

Connecticut Energy WorkforceDevelopment ConsortiumIn response to the energy industry’s rapidly aging employee base and

an increasing demand for clean, affordable, reliable power—including

alternative and renewable sources—CBIA helped create the new

Connecticut Energy Workforce Development Consortium. The group,

which is co-chaired by executives from Northeast Utilities and United

Illuminating, is charged with growing a skilled workforce for the

state’s energy sector. Its members include representatives from tradi-

tional and alternative energy companies, manufacturers of energy-

related products, technical high schools, community colleges, universi-

ties, and workforce investment boards.

The consortium, which had its first meeting in December at CBIA’s

offices, seeks to meet the future workforce needs of Connecticut’s

energy industry by

• Clearly defining those needs

• Building awareness of the demand for energy personnel in the state

• Generating a sense of excitement around the industry

• Improving training programs to closely align classroom learning

with workplace requirements

• Creating pathways to continuing education, certification, and

employment for high school and college graduates

Discussions at the group’s initial meetings identified several specific

shortage areas (engineers, technicians, project managers) and best prac-

tices for attracting, training, and retaining employees—for example,

through scholarships, internships, and effective knowledge transfer from

baby boomers to younger workers.

To support the goals of the consortium and encourage interest in

high-demand, energy-related careers among young people, CBIA is

developing a Career Pathways educational kit for middle and high

school students. The kit—the fourth in our Career Pathways series—

will focus on careers in both traditional and renewable/alternative

energy fields and includes a teacher’s guide and DVD.

The consortium concept started with the nonprofit Center for Energy

Workforce Development (CEWD), a Washington, D.C.-based consortium

of electric, natural gas, and nuclear utilities and their associations.

CEWD works nationally to help utilities collaborate on solutions to the

coming workforce shortage. Connecticut’s consortium is the first of its

kind in New England.

Smaller learning communitiesThe Academy of Engineering and Green Technology (AoEGT), a smaller

learning community of 380 students at Hartford Public High School,

successfully completed its National Academy Foundation (NAF) year of

22

Preparing students for manufacturingcareers CBIA continued to work with community colleges and technical high

schools to prepare a skilled workforce for Connecticut’s manufacturing

sector.

“Pipeline” program: In partnership with the Connecticut Community

Colleges’ College of Technology’s Regional Center for Next Generation

Manufacturing (RCNGM), the Education Foundation completed year

three of an $884,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The

Pipeline from Technical High Schools to Connecticut Community

Colleges grant continued to offer collaborative programs between

industry and educational institutions that advance the workforce

needs of manufacturers while providing students interested in manu-

facturing with career information and training.

The third year of this program has focused on manufacturing training in

Connecticut’s technical high schools and on motivating students to con-

tinue their technology and manufacturing studies at Connecticut’s com-

munity colleges through the RCNGM. Major accomplishments include:

• The successful implementation of the National Institute of

Metalworking Skills (NIMS) assessment program, which uses NIMS

standards to evaluate the skills of students graduating from the

state’s machining programs

• The continuation and strengthening of industry/school partnerships

through activities such as teacher externships, student visits to

companies, and school presentations by industry representatives

• Student visits to Connecticut community college technology

programs

• Presentations at statewide and national conferences promoting

manufacturing careers

Summer externships at manufacturing companies: As the primary

business partner for the RCNGM, CBIA continued to coordinate teacher

externship opportunities with manufacturing companies throughout

the state. This past summer, nine educators, including two four-year

university professors, one community college professor, and six high

school teachers, worked for four weeks at manufacturing companies.

As a result, they were able to expand their knowledge of current man-

ufacturing methods, develop partnerships with the companies, and

introduce their students to project-based learning that reflects actual

industry practices. Participants related the knowledge and experience

they gained from their externships to school administrators and col-

leagues through presentations at statewide conferences and workshops.

Career educationWaterbury workshops: More than 150 students from four

Waterbury high schools attended a day of workshops at Naugatuck

Valley Community College in April. Careers in engineering, bioscience,

environmental science, energy, life support, and manufacturing were

highlighted in presentations conducted by industry representatives

from around the state. CBIA collaborated with the RCNGM and

Waterbury Public Schools to make this program possible.

planning and its first year of operation. In July, AoEGT was recognized

as a NAF open academy and an Academy of Engineering Partnership

official site.

The focus of CBIA’s work with AoEGT this past school year was to help

students understand the real-world relevance of their academics and

recognize the benefits of intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic.

Toward that end, we arranged for representatives of CBIA member

companies to visit the academy and describe for students how they

apply math, science, and other academic disciplines every day in their

jobs. We also organized student tours of member companies and

arranged for a group of AoEGT students to attend CBIA’s Economic

Summit and Outlook in January.

CBIA co-chaired the design committee for AoEGT during the 2007–

2008 school year and recruited members for the school’s advisory

board, which includes business leaders, education professionals, and

other community stakeholders. United Technologies Corp. is the acade-

my’s lead business sponsor.

AoEGT’s curriculum is a combination of rigorous college prep courses

and courses related to engineering, sustainable development, and

advanced manufacturing careers.

Working under contract with the Waterbury Public Schools, CBIA

collaborated with the technology and science teachers at Wilby High

School’s Manufacturing Technology Academy and Health and Human

Services Academy to connect curricula to workplace needs. With assis-

tance from businesses and higher education institutions, we developed

programs to introduce students to workplace expectations, teamwork,

and problem solving skills, and to connect their studies to career

opportunities.

Academy of Engineering and GreenTechnology Advisory BoardAI Engineers Inc.

The Birch Group LLC

Connecticut Community Colleges’ College of Technology’sRegional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing

Connecticut Business and Industry Association

Connecticut Pre-Engineering Program

Hamilton Sundstrand

Northeast Utilities

Pratt & Whitney

School of Engineering and Technology, Central ConnecticutState University

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

TRUMPF Inc.

United Technologies Corp.

23

Career Pathways series: As

part of its ongoing effort to

encourage student interest in

high-demand careers and

relieve skill shortages experi-

enced by CBIA mem-

ber companies,

CBIA’s

Education

Foundation

began work

on a fourth

Career Pathways

educational kit. This latest in

the series focuses on energy-

related careers (in both tradition-

al and renewable/alternative energy industries) and includes a

teacher’s guide, a poster, and a DVD filmed at CBIA member business-

es. Designed for middle school and high school students, the Career

Pathways series features educational activities, salary guides, and day-

in-the-life profiles of young Connecticut professionals in high-growth,

high-demand occupations. To date, the Education Foundation has

produced kits on careers in engineering, health and biosciences, and

manufacturing. Career Pathways kits can be viewed or downloaded at

www.cbia.com/edf/CareerPathways.htm.

Training today’s workforceConsulting services: CBIA-recommended business trainers and con-

sultants provided expertise to eight member companies this year on

HR and safety compliance, supervisory skills, technical skills, lean and

Six Sigma process improvement strategies, and workforce planning

and development.

Our own human resources experts conducted onsite training for more

than 1,000 employees of member companies. These training programs

helped members understand their compliance obligations and empha-

sized best practices that are cost-effective and foster positive employee

relations. The most in-demand HR program this year covered sexual

harassment prevention, primarily for supervisory staff but increasingly

for nonsupervisory employees as well. Other topics frequently

addressed in training sessions included workplace ethics and supervisor

intervention in cases of workplace drug and alcohol use.

Advanced manufacturing training: Relying on a $1.77 million grant

from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) designed to increase the

capacity of the Connecticut Community College System to meet

employers’ needs, CBIA’s Education Foundation continued to expand

its community college certificate programs in lean manufacturing and

supply chain management. The program was also made available for

college credit for the first time this year.

Eighty-nine students (most of whom are employed at Connecticut

manufacturing firms) have completed the two-course certificate pro-

gram in lean, and 122 have completed one lean or supply chain

course. More than 50 CBIA member companies have enrolled employ-

ees in this training, with 46 students also earning credits at seven

community colleges. Credits count toward an associates degree and

are transferable to a four-year degree in engineering/engineering

technology at five Connecticut colleges and universities.

In June, CBIA and Naugatuck Valley Community College launched a

lean manufacturing certificate program at the Federal Corrections

Institute (FCI) in Danbury. The FCI houses 1,200 female inmates and

runs its own factory—UNICOR—which produces products for the U.S.

government, such as radio mounts for military vehicles. Approximately

280 inmates are employed at UNICOR. The courses will not only help

streamline UNICOR operations but will also make inmates more mar-

ketable when they’re released, increasing their vocational opportuni-

ties. The program is scheduled for completion in November of 2010.

The DOL grant has also provided web-delivered simulation software in

CNC and other advanced manufacturing skills to supplement the train-

ing of 50 students in three of the state’s premier precision machining

programs: Asnuntuck Community College, Manchester Community

College, and Manufacturing Alliance Service Corp (MASC). Five CBIA

member companies are also using this software to upgrade the skills

of 35 employees.

Precision machine training: Last spring, CBIA partnered with the

Manufacturing Alliance Service Corp, Waterbury Adult Education, and

the Northwest Workforce Investment Board (NW-WIB) to add a new

component to the precision machine training currently offered by

those organizations for dislocated workers. Thirteen students received

40 hours of class instruction in lean manufacturing tools and tech-

niques and a one-year license for ToolingU, a web-delivered manufac-

turing and job skills training program. Students were required to

complete nine online courses in subjects like quality, lean supply chain

management, and Six Sigma. The program expansion was funded by

CBIA’s DOL grant and by Workforce Investment Act training dollars

obtained by the NW-WIB. Twenty-two new students began the train-

ing this September.

CTWorks employer services: CBIA continued to provide three

CTWorks business services consultants as part of our contract with

Capital Workforce Partners, the regional workforce investment board

that manages the state’s north-central region “one stop” employment

centers. (Fiscal Year 2009 was the last year of that contract.) Our

consultants have familiarized companies in the 37-town region with

employer services available through CTWorks and Capital Workforce

Partners. Those services include incumbent worker training and educa-

tion, job applicant screening, economic development assistance, and

customized labor market information. Each consultant specializes in

one of the region’s key industry sectors: insurance and financial servic-

es, advanced manufacturing, or retail/hospitality. Our consultants have

helped companies fill current positions, identify training opportunities,

and access the state’s limited funding for training in manufacturing.

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25

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS New this yearConsumer-driven health care: This year we continued to expand

our array of consumer-driven health plans with a new HSA-compatible

plan, which has proven to be our most popular to date.

Supplemental life insurance: We are launching a unique supple-

mental life insurance program for all CBIA Health Connections partici-

pating companies, offering features not typically available to compa-

nies in our market segment (three to 50 employees).

A better online experience: A redesign of the Employer Connection

section of our insurance website has provided enhanced navigation

and even greater access to information and self-service capabilities for

employers. We have also redesigned our market-leading agent web-

site in order to continue to meet the needs of insurance agents, who

make up our critical distribution network.

COBRA and HRA administration: Strategic investments in adminis-

tration systems allowed us to quickly respond to our members’ need to

comply with new federal COBRA requirements as well as meet their

emerging HRA administration needs.

CBIA Health ConnectionsThis multicarrier health insurance program enables eligible businesses

to offer their employees a choice of health plans and benefit levels.

Health Connections also provides ancillary insurance coverage, includ-

ing life, disability, and dental benefits. Our main Health Connections

program, for companies with three to 50 employees, offers two suites

of plans: Health Connections and Health Connections 2 (HC2). Both

give covered employees competitive rates and the choice of several

plans from four leading health insurance carriers. HC2 provides

options at an even lower cost than Health Connections plans, includ-

ing plans compatible with health savings accounts (HSAs).

A program similar to the basic HC2 suite is available for companies

with 51 to 100 employees.

Our Health Connections suites now provide medical coverage for more

than 41,000 employees and 77,000 enrolled individuals.

COBRA and State Continuation administrationMore than 3,500 of our Health Connections member companies are

enrolled in this no-cost member benefit, which handles all of an

employer’s complex compliance obligations. CBIA now handles billing

services for more than 1,000 individuals currently on COBRA. Our

agents and members alike see this program as a major benefit of CBIA

membership.

Other employee benefitsWorkers’ compensation insurance: Limited to certain types of man-

ufacturing companies, the CBIA Comp Services workers’ compensation

program is a valuable alternative for qualified CBIA members. This self-

insured program has 206 participating companies. Solid underwriting,

comprehensive loss-control services, and proactive medical manage-

ment have reduced loss costs for the group to 14% below benchmark.

CBIA Retirement Plans: Currently 153 companies and 4,300 employ-

ees participate in CBIA Retirement Plans, which has more than $140

million in invested assets. This program brings cost-effective qualified

retirement programs to small and midsize businesses through specially

priced ING group annuity contracts and independent third-party

administrators.

Giving our members and their employees the“Power of Choice” atcompetitive prices

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Eyewear Savings Plan: 10,000 employees from approximately 714

member companies participate in this popular plan. Through the plan,

employees and their dependents get discounts for prescription and

nonprescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, and laser vision-correction

surgery. Provided through EyeMed Vision Care, the plan costs just $12

a year per employee (including dependents). Discounts on prescription

safety glasses are also available through an arrangement with

LensCrafters.

CBIA Home and Auto Insurance: This worksite-based program gives

employees of participating member companies special discounts on

home, auto, and other personal insurance through Travelers,

MiddleOak, and Progressive. For the employer, it’s a no-cost employee

benefit with no administrative responsibilities. For employees, it pro-

vides quality, low-cost insurance coverage tailored to fit their needs.

More than 100 member companies participate in the program, repre-

senting over $1 million in written premium.

CBIAHOME & AUTOINSURANCEDiscounted Through Your Employer

27

Government Affairs• 13 registered lobbyists

• State and federal regulations

• Manufacturing and trade issues

• Judicial intervention

• Issue advertising

• Economic research

Our 2009 legislative priorities:• Fiscal policy: state spending

and taxes

• Health care

• Education and job training

• Labor and employment

• Transportation

• Energy

• Environment and land use

• Economic development

Involving OurMembers

Members can:• Help set CBIA policies by

responding to our annualmembership survey and participating in these CBIAmember councils and roundtables:

- Small Business Advisory

- Manufacturers Advisory

- Government Affairs

- Taxation & Finance

- Workers’ Compensation

- UnemploymentCompensation

- Labor & Employment Law

- Environmental Policies

- Legal Affairs

- Business Law & Liability

- Human Resources

- Safety & Health

• Receive alerts on breakingissues affecting business

• Attend

- Regional meetings with legis-lators and regulators

- Connecticut Business Day atthe State Capitol

- Manufacturing & TechnologyDay at the State Capitol(every other year)

Gaining PublicSupport• Print and broadcast advertising

on business-related public poli-cy issues

• News releases sent toConnecticut media outlets

• Editorial board visits and news-room briefings

• Speakers bureau

• Weekly, bimonthly, and month-ly radio commentary segmentscovering legislative and regula-tory issues

• Articles and opinion pieces inConnecticut newspapers

• CBIA Business Minute radiospots

• Online video of CBIA staff TVand radio appearances and tes-timony at the State Capitol

Member Services• Free Call Us First! phone consul-

tation service for questions onhuman resources, taxes, andother business topics

• Economic surveys, reports, andconferences

• E-newsletters on governmentaffairs, human resources, andworkplace health and safety

• Information on internationaltrade opportunities

• Employers’ guides on labor andemployment laws and regula-tions

• Benefits, compensation, andpersonnel policies reports

• Employee opinion and customer satisfaction surveys

• Compliance and informationalworkshops, seminars, and conferences

• Discounts on business supplies,equipment, and services

• Stable energy costs throughCBIA Energy Connections

• Discounted job listings atCareerBuilder.com

• Car rental discounts

Creating aCompetitiveWorkforce• Rigorous academic programs

for high school students,including Project OpeningDoors AP initiative

• Career academies in Hartfordand Waterbury

• School-to-career manufacturinginitiatives with the RegionalCenter for Next GenerationManufacturing (RCNGM) andtechnical high schools

• Partner in the creation of theConnecticut Energy WorkforceDevelopment Consortium

• Adoption of the NationalInstitute for MetalworkingSkills (NIMS) skill standards formanufacturing

• Programs with colleges anduniversities on preparation of askilled workforce

• Teacher externships and company tours with membercompanies

• School-to-career DVDs andteacher guides by industry

Training and Consulting• Lean, Six Sigma, and continu-

ous improvement techniques

• Supervisory development

• Workplace ethics training

• Sexual harassment prevention

• Employment law for supervi-sors

• OSHA compliance and OSHA-required safety training

• Business, strategic, and finan-cial planning

• Customer service

• “Reasonable suspicion” of drugand alcohol abuse

• Reasonable accommodationADA training

• Technology skills

• Team building

• Communication and listeningskills

• Interviewing and hiring

• Conflict resolution

• Workplace violence prevention

• HR management

• Incumbent worker training andemployer support services

• Manufacturing and technologytraining grants

Employee Benefits• Group health insurance for

companies with three to 100employees

• Life, dental, short- and long-term disability insurance

• HRA administration services

• COBRA administration service

• Workers’ compensation insur-ance

• Employee discount eyewearprogram

• 401(k) and other retirementprograms

• Home and auto insurance

CBIA at a glance

28

2009 BY THE NUMBERS

Business Advocacy

13 registered staff lobbyists

7,900 hours spent lobbying by staff

152 bills testified on by staff

67 public hearings participated in by staff

86 harmful bills defeated

4 positive bills enacted

14 government regulations and administrative poli-cies worked on by staff

107 business groups that joined CBIA-led coalitions

Member Involvement

500 businesspeople at the State Capitol forConnecticut Business Day

28,000 messages mailed to the State Capitol by ourmembers

35 companies that demonstrated manufacturingprocesses at CBIA’s Manufacturing & TechnologyDay at the State Capitol

Communications

3,881 paid radio spots that produced 34 million totalexposures to our targeted radio audience

2,137 television commercials that delivered 19 millionimpressions to Connecticut viewers

1 newspaper ad that produced 461,333 exposureson key issues

1,274 newspaper articles that appeared about CBIApositions on issues

2,080 Business Minute radio spots aired

631 radio and TV interviews given by CBIA staff

11 CBIA News issues published

36 e-newsletters on human resources and safety andhealth issues sent

28 Government Affairs Reports published

56 electronic Government Affairs Reports and leg-islative updates sent

Information

594,000 CBIA website user sessions logged

9,000 member telephone and e-mail inquiries answered

887 attendees at CBIA economic conferences

369 attendees at CBIA’s Annual Meeting

120 members who attended CBIA roundtables

11 compensation and benefit, employee opinion,and custom survey reports produced, covering95,589 employees of member companies

17 economic and public policy surveys of Connecticutbusinesses conducted, with 7,000 businessesreporting

13 seminars and meetings held on business financingalternatives

Education & Workforce Development

12 grants received for education and job trainingprograms

1,813 students who participated in CBIA-run programson careers in manufacturing and employabilityskills

295 employees trained under U.S. Department ofLabor and Connecticut Works “One Stop” grants

29

358 companies that participated in CBIA workforcedevelopment activities

327 teachers exposed to business through externships,company visits, and workshops

1 new school recognized as a ConnecticutVanguard School by CBIA and the stateDepartment of Education

9 schools that participated in Project OpeningDoors (Cohort I)

1,448 students who participated in Project OpeningDoors

Health Insurance

5,268 member companies that used CBIA health insur-ance programs

77,000 individuals enrolled in CBIA medical plans

4,292 employees of member companies enrolled in CBIAshort-term disability plans

3,031 employees of member companies enrolled in CBIAlong-term disability plans

50,514 employees of member companies enrolled inCBIA life insurance plans

8,736 employees of member companies covered byCBIA dental plans

32,831 employee health insurance administrative trans-actions processed

38,774 health insurance service requests answered viatelephone

20,106 health insurance requests processed online

2,600 members and brokers who registered to use CBIA’shealth insurance website (the site generated70,821 visits)

3,500 member companies that outsourced COBRAadministration to CBIA

Other Business Services

206 member manufacturers that participated inCBIA’s workers’ compensation insurance program

153 member companies that used CBIA RetirementPlans; 4,277 employees participated

714 member companies that participated in CBIA’sEyewear Savings Plan, with 10,000 employeesserved

630 member companies in contracts through CBIAEnergy Connections, purchasing 1.23 billioncubic feet of natural gas valued at $11 millionand 675 million kilowatt hours of electricity val-ued at more than $74 million

5,400 members who accessed our Member Discounts website

106 member companies that made discountedhome and auto insurance available to theiremployees through CBIA

3,049 members who used CBIA’s co-brandedCareerBuilder.com website

Consulting & Training

3,242 attendees at CBIA conferences, workshops, andseminars

1,300 attendees at free or low-cost CBIA web seminars

8 member companies served by CBIA-endorsedconsultants

10 consulting projects completed

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S. Douglas DevnewVice President of Finance andAdministrationTRUMPF Inc.Farmington

Donald R. Droppo Jr.Senior Vice President, Sales & MarketingCurtis Packaging CorporationSandy Hook

Bruce E. DworakPresidentHobson & Motzer Inc.Durham

Peter J. EnrightVice President, North American AerospaceOperationsBarden CorporationDanbury

Denise G. EssenbergOffice Managing PartnerPricewaterhouseCoopers LLPHartford

James E. Fitzgerald Jr.Regional President North AtlanticWachovia Bank N.A.Stamford

Michael F. Foley Ph.D.President & CEOReflexite Corp.Avon

George J. Frantzis IICo-OwnerLake Quassapaug Amusement Park Inc.Middlebury

Donna R. Galluzzo Ph.D.President & CEOHomecare Management Strategies Inc.Wallingford

David P. GaluskaSenior Vice President, Modules Ctrs. & OperationsPratt & WhitneyEast Hartford

Marc T. GilesPresident & CEOGerber Scientific Inc.South Windsor

2009 CBIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIR

Samuel S. Bergami Jr.CEOAlinabal Holdings Corp.Milford

VICE CHAIR

Peter B. KentCEO & ChairmanBicron Electronics CompanyCanaan

VICE CHAIR

Ramona CarlowPresident-ConnecticutAT&T Inc.New Haven

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR

Charles W. ShiveryChairman, President & CEONortheast UtilitiesHartford

PRESIDENT & CEO

John R. RathgeberCBIA Staff

Richard M. BarryPresident Citizens Bank Hartford

Jonathan BennettExecutive Vice PresidentThe HartfordHartford

B.J. Bormann Ph.D.Sr. Vice President, Business Development& LicensingBoehringer Ingelheim CorporationRidgefield

Lawrence F. ClarkChairman of the Board & CFOSonalysts Inc.North Waterford

Kenneth W. MacCormacPresident & CEOCapewell Components Company LLCSouth Windsor

Jay B. SheehyPresident & CEOKamco Supply Corp. of New EnglandWallingford

Maureen WeaverChair, Executive CommitteeWiggin and Dana LLPNew Haven

2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In addition to the ExecutiveCommittee, the Board of Directorsincludes:

Robert M. AllessioPresident & CEOConnecticut Natural GasHartford

Mark T. BertoliniPresidentAetnaHartford

Tony CeciExecutive Managing DirectorRSM McGladrey Inc./McGladrey & Pullen LLPStamford

J. Dennis ChalkPresident & General ManagerRSCCEast Granby

Roxanne J. CoadyPresident & CEOR.J. Julia Booksellers LLCMadison

David M. CordaniPresident CIGNA HealthCareCIGNA CorporationBloomfield

Kevin J. CunninghamPresidentBank of AmericaConnecticut

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William H. Harris IIIVice President, Vertical Market-EducationTrane ConnecticutFarmington

Charles D. HarvellFormer Managing PartnerErnst & Young LLPHartford

Michael E. HerbertPresident & CEOConnectiCare Inc.Farmington

Toni M. Hoover Ph.D.Senior Vice President, Pfizer Global R&D/Director New London LaboratoriesPfizer Inc.Groton

Roger F. JoyceExecutive Vice PresidentThe Bilco CompanyNew Haven

David W. KeiserFormer President & COOAlexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.Cheshire

Paul S. LambdinPresidentHealth Net of the Northeast Inc.Shelton

Leighton Lee IIIPresident & ChairmanThe Lee CompanyWestbrook

William P. LennonVice President, OperationsElectric Boat Corp.Groton

Jerry W. LongChief Executive Officer & PresidentPCC Technology Group LLCBloomfield

Kathleen K. LundquistPresidentAPT Inc.Darien

Christine C. MarcksPresident Prudential RetirementPrudential Financial Inc.Hartford

Paul A. Marold Jr.Former PresidentAhlstrom Nonwovens LLCWindsor Locks

Neil J. Metviner Executive Vice PresidentPitney Bowes Inc.PresidentPitney Bowes Global Mailstream EuropeStamford

Scott L. MurphyManaging PartnerShipman & Goodwin LLPHartford

John J. Patrick Jr.Chairman, President & CEOFarmington Savings BankFarmington

Meredith B. ReubenCEOEastern Bag & Paper GroupMilford

Katherine A. SaintPresidentThe Schwerdtle Stamp Company Inc.Bridgeport

Thomas S. SantaPresident & CEOSanta Energy CorporationBridgeport

Philip R. SherringhamPresident & CEOPeople's United BankBridgeport

Andrew K. SkippPresident & CEOHubbard-Hall Inc.Waterbury

William A. Teed IIChief Operating Officer Middle MarketsTravelersHartford

Eric W. ThornburgPresident & CEOConnecticut Water Service Inc.Clinton

James P. TorgersonPresident & CEOUIL Holdings Corp.CEOThe United Illuminating CompanyNew Haven

Joseph J. Vrabely Jr.PresidentAtlantic Steel & Processing LLCWaterbury

CBIA EXECUTIVE STAFF

John R. RathgeberPresident & CEO

Joseph F. BrennanSenior Vice President, Public Policy; Secretary

Philip J. VogelSenior Vice President,CBIA Service Corporation

Stephen J. MarcouxSenior Vice President, Administration;Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

CBIACONNECTICUT BUSINESS & INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

350 Church St. • Hartford, CT 06103-1126 • 860-244-1900

cbia.com

CBIA ANNUAL REPORT 2009