The state’s largest business membership group said its President and CEO John Rathgeber will retire at the end of the year.
Rathgeber, who has been the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s top executive since 2006, will be succeeded Jan. 1 by Joe Brennan, CBIA’s senior vice president for public policy.
Rathgeber joined CBIA as a staff attorney 1977. He took over the top spot from former CEO Ken Decko, becoming the third CEO of the organization since it formed in 1971 through a merger of The Manufacturers Association of Connecticut and the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
UIL Holdings Corp. CEO Jim Torgerson, who chairs CBIA’s board, praised Rathgeber in a statement for steering the organization through challenges and increasing its clout with lawmakers. He described Brennan as a strong successor.
“Joe’s experience and personal style equip him well for the challenges ahead, and we are confident that he will build on the strong foundation laid by John,” Torgerson.
CBIA said it has been planning its leadership succession since Rathgeber informed the board of his retirement intentions in September.
