The state’s chief manufacturing officer is leaving for a newly created job in the private sector.
Paul Lavoie, who has been in the position since February 2022, will become University of New Haven’s first vice president of innovation and applied technology. He will begin the new job in July.
In the new role, he will spearhead the development of a new Research and Development Park.
The R&D Park will be located in a 130,000-square-foot commercial space on a former railroad salvage property, which the university acquired in 2024. The 12-acre parcel on Campbell Avenue sits directly adjacent to the university’s main campus in West Haven.
The R&D Park will focus on advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, machine learning and biotech, as well as industry 4.0 and 5.0, the university said in an announcement.
“I have long admired the University of New Haven and its commitment to preparing its graduates to excel in the careers of the future,” Lavoie said. “President (Jens) Frederiksen’s vision for the university is as captivating as it is inspiring.”
Frederiksen described Lavoie as a “forward-looking leader who has an exceptional background in driving innovation and ingenuity.”
“He is the ideal individual to execute the vision for our R&D Park — a vision that provides the next generation of an elite workforce for Connecticut with transformational hands-on learning experiences,” Frederiksen said.
The R&D Center will aim to support Connecticut’s need to support advanced manufacturing, applied technology and the defense industry, the university said.
Through the center, the university plans to forge partnerships with private companies, government entities, K-12 schools, the cities of West Haven and New Haven, and organizations such as AdvanceCT and CT Center for Advanced Technology, according to the announcement.
The university said it has existing relationships with Connecticut manufacturing companies Sikorsky, General Dynamics Electric Boat, Medtronic, Otis, RBC Bearings, Pratt & Whitney, Lee Co. and Raytheon Technologies.
Lavoie has been housed in the state Department of Economic and Community Development since he was appointed as the manufacturing czar by Gov. Ned Lamont.
As the state’s chief manufacturing officer, he worked to coordinate efforts between the state government and private sector to support, grow and modernize the state’s manufacturing industry.
Lavoie’s experience in the manufacturing industry includes serving as general manager at Carey Manufacturing in Cromwell; owning two businesses; and holding senior-level positions at publicly traded and privately owned businesses.
Lavoie also serves as board chair of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative; co-chair of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls Subcommittee on Education and STEAM; an advisory board member of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System; and an advisory board member of the UConn College of Engineering.
