Hartford Business Journal

26 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | DECEMBER 1, 2025 Opinion & Commentary Movers & Shakers OTHER VOICES We need public data for democracy — and business By David Griggs and Michelle Riordan-Nold A s a nation, we have taken for granted that public data is a public good — one person's use does not diminish another's use and people can't be prevented from using it. State and federal public data provides government transparency and allows the public to hold elected officials account- able, an underpinning of our democracy. But the value of public data goes far beyond holding public officials account- able. How do businesses decide where to locate, expand or sell services? How do nonprofits better understand where their offerings are most needed? How do state and local governments decide where to build roads or provide other essential services? Most of these answers come through federal public data. For example, the American Commu- nity Survey (ACS), an annual survey administered by the Census Bureau, is a widely used source of federal public data. It surveys households nationwide providing critical informa- tion on demographic, employment, social and economic characteristics of the population. Data from the ACS helps businesses determine where to expand and where to market new services. For example, if a company is looking to locate in Connecticut, they want to understand the cost of housing in the area, what are the education levels of a potential future workforce, and what are the prevailing wages in the area. All this data is sourced from the ACS. Further, businesses look to economic indicators from the Bureau of Labor Statistics such as monthly employment, interest rates and the inflation rate to determine if they should invest, expand employment and the level of cost-of- living increase to offer employees. However, the current administra- tion is attempting to undermine this longstanding tool of democracy and innovation. One example is the firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner over disappointing job numbers. Other examples include the underfunding of the Census Bureau and proposed legislation to make federal surveys optional. Yet another is the firing of enumer- ators that input "real" prices in the statistical models that calculate inflation rates. Why does this matter? Firing staff in such a manner erodes public trust. Making surveys optional will result in less reliable statistics, the underpinning of business decisions. Eliminating inputs means economic and statistical models are no longer based on the realities faced by consumers. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisan research and policy institute, recently expressed concern about the next U.S. Census because of decisions being made now. "Although 2030 is five years away, decennial census research, testing, planning, contracting and hiring are already on a tight timeline," they explained. "Without sufficient funding, key preparations could be delayed or eliminated altogether, putting the count's accuracy at risk." Other national business-oriented organizations have noted the impor- tance of data. For example, Oxford Global Resources has observed that data-driven decisions "lead to improved efficiency, profitability and growth." In addition, the American Enterprise Institute has pointed out that "high- quality government data is extremely important to financial markets, business decisions, households' decisions." The absence of reliable data would make such outcomes much less certain. Data drives an array of vital decisions — including in businesses large and small — that have led to our nation's success and track record of innovation. We urge Congress to fully fund, depoliticize and modernize America's federal data statis - tical system, restoring the independence and credibility of the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and other essential federal agencies that produce public data that informs decisions and promotes innovation. Michelle Riordan-Nold is executive director of the Connecticut Data Collab- orative (CTData). David Griggs is CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance. They will facilitate a panel discussing the road ahead and the vision for Connecticut at CTData's Data for Democracy Confer- ence in Hartford on December 3. David Griggs Michelle Riordan-Nold The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art has appointed Allison Blais, a senior executive at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, as its next presi- dent and CEO, effective Jan. 7. Blais currently serves as executive vice presi- dent and chief strategy and operations officer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. She played a central role in planning, devel- oping and managing the institution for nearly two decades, and previously worked for the Lower Manhattan Devel- opment Corp. on rebuilding efforts following the 9/11 attacks. She succeeds Jeffrey N. Brown, who is retiring after leading the museum since 2021. The Connecticut Bankers Associ- ation has elected Martin Morgado, president and CEO of Ives Bank, as its new chairman for the 2025-26 term. The CBA also named Anthony Joyce III, president and CEO of Chelsea Groton Bank, as vice chairman; David Schneider, CEO of Fairfield County Bank, as immediate past chairman; and Thomas Mongellow, the association's president and CEO, as an officer. New at-large board members elected to terms through 2028 include Brian Canina, president and COO of Peoples- Bank, and Jason Hardgrave, CEO of DR Bank. Aidan M. Ely Allison Blais Johnny Burnham Robert Collins Samantha Marie Passanante Chelen Reyes, president and CEO of Union Savings Bank, was also elected to the board and will chair the CBA's legislative committee for the coming year. The Connecticut Business & Industry Association has elected seven new directors to its board and reelected five directors to a second term. The new directors are Carolina Cavalcante of Tilcon Connecticut; Denis Horrigan of Connecticut Wealth Management; Matt Hummel of KeyBank; Alexandrea Isaac of FuelCell Energy; Rick Street of Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey; Richard Tavolieri of Deloitte & Touche; and Marissa Weidner of Webster Bank. Reelected directors include Leander Dolphin of Shipman & Goodwin; Dave Fiereck of Loureiro Engineering Asso- ciates; Jill Mayer of Bead Industries; Frank Reynolds of UIL Holdings; and Ben Towne of PwC. Johnny Burnham has joined Thom- aston Savings Bank as AVP, marketing manager. He brings more than 20 years of marketing and commu- nications experience to the role. Burnham holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Connecticut and is a certified social media marketing strat- egist. He also completed the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce leadership program. Burnham has served on the Bristol- WORKS! technical advisory committee, the Farmington Valley Health District workplace wellness committee and the Bristol Farmer's Market marketing committee. Robert Collins has joined civil engineering firm Weston & Sampson as Connecticut planning lead and senior project manager in the firm's Rocky Hill office. Collins brings 30 years of experience in long-range munic- ipal planning, zoning updates, affordable housing strategies and public engagement. He will support clients with plan of conservation and development updates and comprehensive zoning reviews and holds a master's degree in public administration from George Washington University. Samantha Marie Passanante has joined Reid & Riege as an associate in the law firm's litigation practice. She advises clients on defamation, contract disputes, real estate matters and appellate briefing. Passanante earned her law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law, where she served as editor-in- chief of the Quinnipiac Law Review and participated in the school's mediation clinic and study program at Trinity College Dublin. Aidan M. Ely has joined Reid & Riege as an associate in the health and human services, business services and nonprofit organizations practice groups. Ely earned his law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law and previously worked for an accounting firm advising on tax and structuring for mergers and acquisitions. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut and North Carolina and is active in the Connecticut Bar Association, Hartford County Bar Association and the American Health Law Association . Sean Murphy has been named chief technology officer at New Haven-based Bexorg Inc. Murphy will oversee the scaling of the company's AI-enabled platform for central nervous system drug discovery. He previously held senior technology roles at Vivodyne, Flagship Pioneering and Amazon Web Services and earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale University.

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