Hartford Business Journal

26 Hartford Business Journal | February 22, 2021 | HartfordBusiness.com County and is chair of the National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. 2021 POWER 50 D emocrats have monopolized Connecticut's congressional offices, holding both U.S. Senate seats and all five House seats. And with Democrats now controlling the presidency, House and Senate, Connecticut's congressional delegation will only see their power and influence grow. Most notably, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro has become the first Connecticut member ever to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, one of the most influential posts on federal spending. She's promised a major infrastructure spending bill, which could help with Connecticut's aging roads and bridges. In terms of supporting industry in Greater Hartford, U.S. Rep. John Larson has been a stalwart backer of the region's defense manufacturing industry. That makes sense given the East Hartford resident has jet-engine maker Pratt & Whitney in his backyard. Larson also sits on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, which shapes the federal tax code, and chairs the Social Security Subcommittee. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal can often be seen on the airwaves opining about the U.S.' international relations or coronavirus response, and touting gun reform legislation or debt-free college. Rep. Jahana Hayes, a former teacher, leads on advocating for equitable access to educational opportunities, while Rep. Joe Courtney advocates for Connecticut's defense and agricultural industries. Rep. Jim Himes is a former Goldman Sachs banker who represents Fairfield Greater Hartford Congressional Delegation Jeff Flaks & Keith Grant O n camera either awaiting COVID-19 vaccine deliveries or rolling up a sleeve to get a shot, Jeff Flaks and Keith Grant have been the public faces of, and key strategists behind, Hartford HealthCare's pandemic response. Led by CEO Flaks, HHC has been the first statewide on every milestone in testing, treating and vaccinating against COVID-19. Vaccination sites have been opened across the region under HHC's direction, including a field hospital and clinic at the Richard Blumenthal Chris Murphy Joe Courtney Jim Himes Jahana Hayes Rosa DeLauro John Larson 3 Connecticut Convention Center. Grant, an APRN and senior director of infection prevention at HHC, was among the very first in the state to get vaccinated and has taken a leading role in promoting vaccination, especially in communities of color. At regular news events and in multiple media appearances, Grant has spread the word on the importance of a range of preventative measures against COVID-19 with a direct, accessible style. A $4-billion network of seven hospitals, Hartford HealthCare is the second-largest health system in Connecticut, steadily gaining ground on Yale New Haven Health. As part of its growing portfolio, HHC opened a new health center in Winsted in January after expansions in Mystic, Cheshire and Manchester in recent years. With Flaks at the helm and Grant in the news, HHC promises to play a larger role on the statewide stage. 4 Keith Grant Jeff Flaks

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