Gutierrez to serve as CONNSTEP’s new president

CONNSTEP, a Hartford business consulting firm for the manufacturing industry, announced Beatriz Gutierrez will serve as its next president, following a board vote earlier this month.

Gutierrez currently works as executive director of the Office of Business Development within the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). 

“Beatriz’s diverse experience leading teams, building relationships and achieving goals… ensures CONNSTEP will continue to execute its mission and provide value to its clients and stakeholders alike,” said John Strahley, CONNSTEP’s board chair.

The move comes as current CONNSTEP President Bonnie Del Conte retires from the position she’s held for the past 14 years. Del Conte in 2018 oversaw CONNSTEP’s affiliation with the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), the state’s largest business lobby. As part of that move, CONNSTEP moved from its previous Rocky Hill location to CBIA’s downtown Hartford headquarters at 350 Church St. 

Del Conte was also a key player in forming the Connecticut Manufacturers’ Collaborative, a group comprised of nine state manufacturing industry associations (including CONNSTEP and CBIA), which successfully lobbied for the creation of the cabinet-level position of chief manufacturing officer, which is currently held by former Whitcraft Group CEO Colin Cooper.

Gutierrez said she’s familiar with CONNSTEP through her work at DECD.

“During my time at DECD, I have always been very impressed by their knowledge, professionalism, and strong commitment to deploy their capabilities on behalf of Connecticut’s manufacturing community,” Gutierrez said.