Hartford Business Journal

29 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | FEBRUARY 28, 2022 probed by the FBI. Diamantis later accused Lamont's top two aides of mistreating McCaw. McCaw responded to the controversy during a press conference earlier this month saying: "I want to say that as a Black woman and the first woman of color to hold the position of OPM secretary, it is not easy to work professionally at this high level in a field that has been dominated by white males." She went on to say that she has a "close working relationship," with Lamont. Randy Salvatore After years of delay and anticipation, the first phase of the mixed-use development near Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford will debut in 2022. Stamford-based developer RMS Cos. broke ground on the project's first phase in October 2020, and has completed construction of the 330-space parking garage. RMS CEO and President Randy Salvatore said construction on the $50-million project's first phase, which will yield 270 apartment units, should be completed by this spring. Meantime, RMS is in early discussions about the development's next phase, which will include construction of 550 additional apartments and a 541-car garage. The state Bond Commission has approved a $13.6 million loan for the project's second phase, which will be funneled through the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). Somewhere not far downstream is more commercial space, featuring restaurants and entertainment venues. By any measure, it's a major undertaking and not one either Salvatore, the city or the Downtown North community could afford to see damaged by the impending financial collapse of the nearby Hilton Hotel on Trumbull Street. So, armed with the promise of funding support, Salvatore has agreed to take over the top dozen floors of the 22-story hotel and convert them into an additional 147 new apartments. The Bond Commission recently approved an $11 million loan to help fund the conversion. Rhona Free As president of the University of St. Joseph, Rhona Free has transformed the once all-women's college into a co-ed institution. 2022 POWER 50 elected Republicans in Connecticut and face an uphill battle dealing with a governorship, House and Senate all controlled by Democrats. But their messaging this year will take on greater importance ahead of November's elections, in which Republicans will try to wrestle away control of the executive and legislative branches. Candelora, the House Republican leader, and Kelly, Senate Republican Leader, have made crime a top issue this legislative session and proposed several measures that would crack down on juvenile offenders, including tougher penalties for stolen cars. Candelora and Kelly have also said recent police reforms have made it harder for cops to do their jobs. Kelly and Candelora were also critical of Gov. Ned Lamont's recent $24.2 billion budget proposal, arguing proposed tax cuts wouldn't bring relief fast enough to residents and that it increases state spending too much. House Republicans recently countered with a larger $700 million- plus tax cut plan. The two men have also been proponents of greater investment in mental healthcare services. Outside the legislature, Candelora, who lives in North Branford, helps run two family-owned businesses — a manufacturing company and sportsplex. Kelly is an elder law attorney and owner of Kevin Kelly & Associates PC, a law firm based in Stratford, where he lives. Michael Freimuth & Suzanne Hopgood The quasi-public Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) in recent years has converted run- down Hartford office buildings into about 2,500 new apartment units. Michael Freimuth and Suzanne Hopgood have led those efforts. Both Freimuth, executive director of CRDA, and Hopgood, chair of its board of directors, stepped into leadership roles at the economic development agency with backing from former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. The state legislature created the agency in 2010. Their staying power since then reflects the significant impact they've had on Hartford's redevelopment efforts. Under Freimuth and Hopgood, CRDA in recent years helped 22 Vincent J. Candelora Kevin Kelly redevelop Dillon Stadium, complete The Front Street District, which is home to UConn Hartford and part of the larger Adriaen's Landing revitalization project downtown, and helped finance about 2,500 apartment units. It's currently working on opening a sports betting facility in the XL Center and revitalizing Hartford's Parkville neighborhood in partnership with developer Carlos Mouta and the city. There are a few CRDA-backed projects that will debut or break ground this year, including the first phase of the North Crossing mixed- use development near Dunkin' Donuts Park that will yield 270 apartments in the first half of 2022. Redevelopment of the historic 55 Elm St. office building in downtown Hartford into 164 apartments as well as coworking space and a restaurant is also scheduled to begin in the first half of the year. Melissa McCaw While many Connecticut budget directors in recent years have had to manage deficits — some of them significant — Melissa McCaw has the more enviable task of overseeing a sizable surplus. That's brought calls from both parties for tax relief, especially in an election year. Gov. Ned Lamont and McCaw earlier this month unveiled a $24.2 billion budget proposal that includes a $336 million tax cut centered on capping car tax rates and expanding an income tax credit for middle-class property owners. The spending plan also makes major new investments in social services, health care, education and economic development. McCaw is a Wesleyan alum who began her career at the Office of Policy and Management in the early 2000s, and nearly two decades later she now leads the agency as secretary, following top financial roles at the University of Hartford and in Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin's administration. McCaw has been forced to manage through controversy within her office. In October, her second in command, Konstantinos Diamantis, resigned after being placed on paid leave over an allegation of misconduct, and now the school construction grants program he oversaw is being 23 24 26 Suzanne Hopgood Mike Freimuth Melissa McCaw 25 Randy Salvatore Free's strategy, implemented in 2018, aimed to increase enrollment and bring more opportunities for both sexes on campus. Early evidence has shown it is working as the school has increased its undergraduate enrollment by nearly 10% over the last four years, with men now making up nearly 25% of the undergraduate population. Free also recruited some high- profile staffers, most notably renowned UConn men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun, who helped launch USJ's men's basketball program. He stepped away from coaching last year. As sports is a major draw for any college campus, last fall USJ opened a new $16 million athletics venue for men's and women's basketball and student use. In the last few years the school launched six Division III men's teams in basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming/ diving and tennis. This spring, it will launch its Division III men's baseball program. During her tenure she has also championed the creation of the Women's Leadership Center, transited USJ from five schools to three and launched the physician assistant studies program. Free came to USJ from Eastern Connecticut State University, where she served as vice president for academic affairs from 2007 to 2013, and provost from 2013 to 2015. Kevin Dillon Bradley International Airport is seen as a major economic driver for central Connecticut and leading it is Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA). While COVID-19 devastated air travel for more than a year and continues to hamper the airline industry, Bradley has been able to hold its own, actually adding more routes than were grounded during the last few years. Breeze Airways recently announced plans to set up an operations hub at Bradley and add eight nonstop flights, a move expected to create more than 200 jobs in the state. In recent months low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines announced plans to begin flying direct routes linking Bradley International Airport to Cancun, Mexico, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, while Spirit Airlines launched nonstop service from Bradley to Miami. Rhona Free 27 Kevin Dillon

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