Friday marks Joe Brennan’s final day as chief executive of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), the state’s largest business lobby.
Brennan, who announced his retirement in March, will be succeeded by Chris DiPentima, a Middletown manufacturing executive that previously served as CBIA’s board chair.
Brennan first joined CBIA in the late 1980s as a staff attorney, and climbed the ranks over the years assuming the top role in 2015, succeeding John Rathgeber after his retirement.
During his tenure, Brennan has steered CBIA through three biennial budget sessions at the state Capitol. That includes two under former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the most recent under Gov. Ned Lamont.
The 2015 budget was a trial by fire, as lawmakers passed about $1 billion in tax hikes and other revenue increases on businesses and hospitals.
CBIA joined with Aetna, Travelers Cos. and then General Electric in helping to convince the legislature to walk back or reshuffle, to the tune of about $350 million, the tax increases that had passed into law.
Brennan on Thursday reflected on his career at CBIA in the statewide association’s BizCast podcast.
