Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com February 20, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 7 WHAT'S AHEAD: ■ 2/27 Focus: Banking & Finance ■ The List: Largest CT Venture Deals ■ Nonprofit Profile: Connecticut Forum CALENDAR THURSDAY, FEB. 23 2017 Transportation Showcase CTrides is hosting a transportation showcase Feb. 23, which is an employer-sponsored event that aims to provide businesses with insights about how to get their workers to the office most efficiently. The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Hartford South Hotel, 100 Capital Blvd., Rocky Hill. The showcase will feature several speakers, panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions. James Redeker, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, will be among the featured speakers along with Anne Hayes, Travelers Cos.' director of parking and mass transit, and Jeff Hamilton, Mohegan Sun's general manager. Breakout session topics will include the commuter tax, vanpooling and telework. The event is free to attend. For more information or to register go to: http://ctrides.com/. F O R A C O M P L E T E L I S T O F G R E A T E R H A R T F O R D B U S I N E S S E V E N T S , G O T O W W W . H A R T F O R D B U S I N E S S . C O M A N D C L I C K O N ' C A L E N D A R . ' HOSPITALITY & TOURISM Top Mohegan gaming executive Soper resigns Bobby Soper, president and CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which oversees Mohegan Sun and is involved in launch- ing Connecticut's proposed third casino, has resigned. In charge since 2015, Soper reportedly left last week for an- other opportunity he would not specify, according to information first reported by The Day. It is unclear if any new position Soper takes is in the gaming industry. Multiple calls and emails to the MTGA weren't returned with comment. Mitchell Etess, a senior adviser to the tribe who preceded Soper as the MTGA's top non-tribal executive, will take charge on an in- terim basis while the tribe searches for a permanent replacement, The Day reported. Soper has led the MTGA in economic development ventures that include an "entertainment city" and casino in South Korea and the ilani Resort in cooperation with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe in LaCenter, Wash. Last year, Mohegan also opened the 400-room Earth hotel. James Redeker MANUFACTURING State's aerospace companies to head to Australian air show Connecticut aerospace companies, ranging from Vernon's 50-employee Soldream Inc. to East Hartford-based jet engine gi- ant Pratt & Whitney, will be promoting their products at Australia's Avalon Air Show the week of Feb. 27. The U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Middletown has organized a delegation of companies from Connecti- cut and other northeastern states to travel to Australia for the Avalon Air Show, Anne S. Evans, commerce department district director said. One of Pratt's major products, its F135 military engine, will be front and center as the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter makes its first appearance in the Australian air show. The plane uses the Pratt engine exclusively. – Howard French | Journal Inquirer GOVERNMENT & POLITICS Gun advocates criticize Malloy gun fee plan Gun advocacy groups are lashing out at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget plan to increase pistol permit fees, arguing the state is trying to balance the budget on the backs of gun owners. According to the Bellevue, Wash.-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Malloy's proposed budget quadruples the state pistol permit fee for a five-year renewal from $70 to $300. New permit application fees would rise to $370 from $140. Citizens Committee Chairman Alan Gottlieb suggested Malloy is "robbing" gun owners "to help make up for his own fiscal failure." The NRA also opposes the fee hikes. Malloy spokeswoman Kelly Donnelly said the fee structure is comparable to New York's and would raise an extra $9 million. Bobby Soper quietly and suddenly resigned as president and CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority last week. P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D

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