State Rep. Julio A. Concepción (D-Hartford) has been named the new executive director of the newly revived Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
Concepción, a former city councilman and now state representative serving Hartford’s 4th District, previously served as vice president of Hartford partnerships at MetroHartford Alliance, working as liaison between the organization, its investors and city and state officials.
MetroHartford announced plans last year to revive its chamber function formerly known as the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, a name it hasn’t used for nearly two decades. In 2001, the chamber, founded in 1799, merged with the MetroHartford Economic Growth Council to establish MetroHartford Alliance.
The chamber’s relaunch is focused on recruiting new members, or “investors.”
David Griggs, CEO of the MetroHartford Alliance, said Concepción will expand the chamber’s core membership through better programming and services.
“As we reinvigorate the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, we will ensure a vibrant urban core and a closer connection to the city of Hartford’s business community,” Griggs said.
“Julio’s energy and passion for Hartford will drive his work with the city’s business owners and employers and help strengthen neighborhoods with a robust, business-friendly environment fostering economic development,” he said.
Concepción won a special election in June 2018 to serve the remaining House term of embattled former state Rep. Angel Arce. He had stepped down months earlier after a text message scandal where he was caught contacting a teenage girl.
Concepción won reelection in November.
