Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1492748
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | FEBRUARy 20, 2023 27 2023 POWER 50 years, but things haven't always been easy. Last year, despite the legislature passing a historic $600-million tax cut amid a surging budget surplus, DiPentima called the session "disap- pointing" because he said lawmakers didn't do enough to provide relief to small businesses. It appears that message may have resonated. Gov. Ned Lamont's corporate real estate, administra- tive services, community relations, event management and sports sponsorships. He's been one of the top leaders who has helped turn Cromwell's Travelers Championship into one of the PGA Tour's best-run first legislative proposal for the 2023 session was a small business tax cut. DiPentima is partaking in his third legislative session, where CBIA has shifted its agenda a bit. For the first time, CBIA is working with other interest groups to promote affordable housing legislation. Lack of affordable housing — and Connecticut's overall high costs of living — has contributed to the state's prolonged workforce shortage, DiPentima said. DiPentima said a main focus for the business group in 2023 will be advocating for policies that retain and attract people and businesses to Connecticut. CBIA's policy proposals include creating incentives for employers to provide workers with loan or tuition reimbursement in an effort to keep more young talent in the state, and making it easier for licensed profes- sionals in other states to relocate to Connecticut in a timely manner. Before joining CBIA, DiPentima was division president of Leggett & Platt Aerospace, which includes Pegasus Manufacturing in Middle- town. The Connecticut native and Durham resident has a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a law degree from Quinnipiac Univer- sity School of Law. tournaments, attracting some of the world's best professional golfers, while raising millions of dollars for charity. In 2022, the Travelers Champi- onship returned mostly to normal following the pandemic. The tour- nament last year generated $2.5 million to benefit more than 130 charitable organizations. Travelers' strong support for the tournament paid off last year, as the PGA Tour awarded it a new elevated status for 2023, which will guarantee top-ranked players attend the event and provide a higher $20-million purse. In 2022, Bessette was also inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame. A UConn graduate, his ties to Connecticut and the region are strong. He sits on several boards, including UConn and UConn Health. He's also vice chairman of the Capital Region Development Authority, which has been respon- sible for funding around 2,800 new downtown Hartford apartments. Chris DiPentima Andy Bessette I f there is an issue at the state Capitol that will impact businesses — positively or negatively — you could expect Chris DiPentima to opine about it. As CEO of the Connecticut Busi- ness & Industry Association, he's the most high-profile leader and lobbyist representing the interests of busi- nesses in Hartford. The longtime aerospace executive became CEO of the CBIA several months into the pandemic. He has settled into the role over the last few A ndy Bessette has long been one of Hartford's top boosters. As executive vice president and chief administrative officer of property-and-casualty insurer Trav- elers Cos., which has major opera- tions in downtown Hartford, he has myriad duties, including overseeing 6 7