Connecticut’s former head of the Department of Economic Community Development (DECD), Catherine Smith invested over a billion dollars in major projects and programs that aimed to jumpstart job creation and retention in the State of Connecticut. During her tenure, Smith credited the agency with making strides by supporting job growth in major industries including: advanced manufacturing and technology, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.

Governor Ned Lamont has recently appointed former Goldman Sachs executive David Lehman as Commissioner of the DECD and the Governor’s Senior Economic Advisor. Lehman, a Greenwich native, most recently led Goldman Sachs’ public sector and infrastructure finance group. Lehman spent over 15 years with Goldman and brings valuable business and financial experience to state government. Gov. Lamont and Lehman look to lead an “aggressive” strategy to recruit businesses through state agency collaborations and managing long-term strategies, including implementing new “opportunity zones,” emphasizing long-term financial sustainability and success of the state and its residents.

Tags: Banking, Christopher Kelly, Joseph Pastore