FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Governor Ned Lamont is appointing a new chief manufacturing officer to succeed the first person to hold the position who is going into retirement.
Colin Cooper is retiring after becoming the state's first chief manufacturing officer in 2019. Paul Lavoie will take on the position effective Monday, February 7.
As chief manufacturing officer, Cooper served as the coordinator of state and private-sector efforts to promote growth in the manufacturing sector on behalf of the Lamont Administration.
During that time, a lot of progress was made to advance the industry, Cooper said.
"With the governor's support, we recapitalized the manufacturing innovation fund to allow us to continue to support such important programs, legacy programs, like the incumbent worker training program and the apprenticeship as well as to continue to provide matching grants for investments in equipment and technology," he said.
The fund also supported the creation of six new initiatives that are geared toward address small and mid-sized manufacturing businesses are facing, according to Cooper.
Lavoie plans to continue Cooper's efforts in solidifying Connecticut's reputation as the Silicon Valley of Advance Manufacturing by engaging with and educating manufacturers on market opportunities and business growth.
"I look forward to working closely with our stakeholders to build a robust workforce pipeline, to foster a healthy ecosystem of growth, encourage a culture of innovation, establish communication channels to all manufacturers and to continue to coordinate resources to clarify and simplify our efforts," Lavoie said.
Lavoie is currently the general manager of Carey Manufacturing in Cromwell. He is also a member of Connecticut's Industry 4.0 Working Group and the Governor's Workforce Council.
Members of the manufacturing industry shared their appreciation for the governor's continued support of the chief manufacturing officer role, including President and CEO Boris Levin of Mott Corporation in Farmington.
Before the position was established, Levin said manufacturers did not have a direct contact with the state.
"We didn't have someone who listened. We didn't have someone who returned calls. We didn't have someone who returned emails. So, this was an incredible gift for us was two years ago when [Cooper] was appointed chief manufacturing officer. This is an example of government helping people," Levin said.
Lamont stressed the importance of the manufacturing sector for Connecticut's economy.
“Having this position of chief manufacturing officer in my administration is important to letting these companies know that they have a seat at the table in my administration,” Lamont said.
Cooper will officially leave state service on February 25.
