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32 n e w h a v e n B I Z | M a r c h 2 0 2 0 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m SCOTT D. JACKSON CHIEF A DMINISTR ATIV E OFFICER CITY OF NEW H AV EN Residence: Hamden College: Cornell University, BA New Haven Mayor-elect Justin Elicker made the for- mer Hamden mayor (2009- 15) and state commissioner (first Labor, then Revenue Services) his first top cabinet choice (pending alder- manic confirmation). Describe your role in City Hall: e [CAO] coordinates public safety in the city for the mayor as well as public works, engineer- ing, library, parks and human resources. As such, much of the human, cultural and technical infrastructure of the city's public spaces are coordinated through the CAO's office. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your professional success? Humility. Humility helps people understand that they do not have all of the answers, and collaborating with others can only help bring about positive change. What advice would you give up-and-coming professionals in government? I would advise them to monitor the national trade publications in the government sphere. ere are a lot of great ideas and innovations moving forward in the government space, and adapting those ideas, where appropriate, can yield significant benefits for local communities. What is an unusual characteristic about you that most people don't know? I went through many years of speech therapy, which is the true basis for my appreciation of the power of language and the spoken word. DALE KROOP EXECUTIV E DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF ECONOMIC & NEIGHBORHOOD DEV ELOPMENT, TOW N OF H A MDEN Residence: Hamden College(s): Southern CT State College, BS; Southern CT State University, MS Tireless, resourceful economic- development point person with (literally) boundless enthusiasm and optimism about not only his Hamden hometown, but its rightful role in the regional ecosystem. Irresistible force for positive progress. Describe your role and the impact it has on the economy: I manage Hamden's business retention and recruitment and workforce development program, and our local cluster initiative. I also create, finance and manage brownfield and redevelopment projects for the Hamden Economic Development Corp. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your professional success — and how? Two things: I really understand systems, whether it is funding or regulatory agencies or at Town Hall. I am a good listener and understand how/what people in those systems need to do their job. I always look for the win-win. What advice would you give young business professionals? Form relationships with people at every level of every organization. Today's staff member may be tomorrow's executive director. What a racquet: I play competitive racquetball at tournament level (for my age, of course). STATE REP. THEMIS KLARIDES (R-114) HOUSE REPUBLICA N LEA DER ATTOR NEY, COHEN & WOLF LLP Residence: Derby College(s): Trinity College, BA; Quinnipiac University, JD Indomita- ble House Minority Leader, attorney and principled private-sec- tor defender. "We fight every day, every year, to put together budgets and legislation that will allow businesses to stay in Con- necticut and thrive," she says. "When business thrives, jobs are created and people go to work. It's that simple." What characteristic has most contributed to your professional success? Fight and little filter. I come from a Greek family business background and we are known as being strong, persistent and passionate. What advice would you give to young professionals? Work hard, don't let anyone tell you who you are or that you can't do something. I don't care how old you are, or what gender you are, if you have the passion and work ethic, you can accomplish anything. What is an unusual trait that people don't know about you? I'm actually shy at my core. I've learned to be outgoing and face my fears of rejection or failure, but it is never easy. My natural instinct is to stand by myself in a room full of people with one or two people I know instead of 'working' the room and talking to strangers. But I've forced myself to be comfortable with it — and it's worked out okay so far! I'm also a nerd at heart... SHEILA O'MALLEY ECONOMIC DEV ELOPMENT DIRECTOR /GR A NTS A DMINISTR ATOR CITY OF A NSONIA Residence: Watertown College: Providence College, BA Accomplished administra- tor with the know-how to turn around communities where pollu- tion and lack of acreage impedes economic development. Under O'Malley, communities have received much-needed funding for environmental cleanups, and Main Street in Ansonia is a bustling des- tination for shopping and dining. Describe your role and impact on the region's economy: I see myself as being responsible for improving the economic health and well-be- ing of the communities I work in. If you can make a difference in a community by increasing jobs, at- tracting and retaining businesses and improving the quality of life for residents, then you are helping the region grow and thrive. What personal characteristic has most contributed to your success? A mayor I worked for said, 'Sheila has an uncanny ability to get peo- ple to do things for her. If there are obstacles too large for me to resolve alone, then I am going to pull the right people in to work with until we find a solution. What advice would you give? Surround yourself with a good team. It's important to utilize the strengths of those around you as they may possess very different skill sets from your own. Never fail to acknowledge the individu- als who help you along the way. Sporty side: I am addicted to fashion, and I once considered a career in professional basketball. >> Public Sector NEW HAVEN POWER 50

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