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www.HartfordBusiness.com March 7, 2016 • Hartford Business Journal 7 WHAT'S AHEAD: ■ 3/14 Focus: Residential Real Estate ■ The List: Mortgage Lenders/ Home Sales ■ Nonprofit Profile: Hands on Hartford CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 Crowdsourcing for Medical Device Innovation Louis Foreman, CEO of North Carolina-based Edison Nation Medical, will present a seminar on how researchers, scientists and medical device makers can bring their products to market through crowdsourcing and crowdfunding. The March 30 event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Medtronic's headquarters, 60 Middletown Ave., North Haven. Foreman will discuss a number of new and innovative pathways that have come into existence over the last several years to help inventors in the medical device industry bring their products to market — from crowdsourcing to crowdfunding to open innovation. In this discussion, he will explore these various options and share his 20-plus years of expertise regarding the pluses and minuses of each model. Cost to attend is free, but you must register by March 25 to attend. For more information contact: Leo Snow, 860.547.1995, lsnow@ beaconalliance.org. GOVERNMENT, POLITICS & LAW Car makers join CT auto dealers in opposition to Tesla bill Another rumble is brewing around Tesla car sales in Connecticut. Industry associations representing automobile dealers and manufacturers came out last week against a proposal that would allow Tesla to sell its high-end electric cars directly to Connecticut consumers, effectively bypassing dealership franchises. The Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association (CARA) and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers — which represents a dozen major manufacturers — said proposed Senate Bill 3 would create an unfair playing field for Tesla. Asked for comment, James Chen, Tesla's deputy general counsel and vice president of regulatory affairs, portrayed the auto dealers and manufacturers as "entrenched interests" trying to block innovation. Tesla said in November that allowing it to open showrooms in Connecticut would generate (per showroom) as many as 25 jobs, as much as $10 million in direct economic impact, and an ad- ditional $1.7 million in sales tax revenue. Auto dealers have countered that the franchise model offers greater consumer protections. Tesla pushed for a similar bill last summer, but the legislation died in the House, despite a compromise brokered with CARA that would have limited Tesla to three sales locations in the state. Louis Foreman What Can We Do For You? 860.871.1111 www.nemsi.com 166 Tunnel Road, Vernon, CT 06066 Choose an Award-Winning Partner For 50 Years, Clients Have Counted On NEMSI For: • HVAC, Plumbing and Process Piping • Design-Build Construction • Energy Management Systems • LEED Certification Programs • Electrical Services • Comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Programs • 24/7/365 Emergency Response 196 6-2016 196 6-2016 Recent Awards Include: » ABC Platinum Safety Award » ABC Accredited Quality Contractor (ABC-AQC) » ABC Excellence in Construction Award » ABC Specialty Contractor of the Year » Contracting Business First Place Design/Build Award License #s: E1-104939 • S1- 302974 P1- 203519 • F1- 10498 • SM1-192 • MC-1134 Offices in: New London | Trumbull | Pawtucket, RI | Palmer, MA | Manchester, NH | Albany, NY Tesla, whose electric vehicle is shown above, is pushing the state legisla- ture to allow it to sell directly to consumers. SPORTS & OUTDOORS UConn names new athletic director UConn has tapped the chief operating officer of Auburn Uni- versity's athletic department to be its next athletic director. David Benedict was introduced as UConn's new AD last week in Storrs. At Auburn, Benedict directed the day-to-day operations of the Auburn athletic department, with particular emphasis in operational planning, resource allocation, budget development and financial management. He led the department in developing strategic long- range plans for a $120-million budget, facilities and staffing. UConn appears to have hired Benedict for his ability to improve rev- enues to the program. In a statement, the university cited his time at Auburn where he negotiated a unique nine-year, $78-million deal with Under Armour. LAW Hartford employment lawyers merge with Georgia firm Atlanta labor and employment law firm FordHarrison LLP is establishing a beachhead in the Capital City following its merger with Hartford-based Rose Kallor LLP. Rose Kallor's three partners, Michael Rose, Robin Kallor and Johanna Zelman, and two other lawyers will join FordHarrison's Hartford office at 750 Main St. With the addition, FordHarrison now has more than 200 attorneys and 29 offices nationwide. Firm Managing Partner C. Lash Harrison said, "The Hartford of- fice will help solidify our presence in the New York metro area as well as give us a toe hold in the Northeast." P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D