🔒New CT Tech Council CEO Slap eyes formal alliance with CCAT

Q&A talks with State Sen. Derek Slap (D-West Hartford) who in January was named president and CEO of the Connecticut Technology Council.

Q. The Connecticut Technology Council hired someone with more of a legislative and political background as its new CEO. Why were you interested in the job and why does your political background make you a good fit in the role?

A. The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) is a small nonprofit with a big task — to help strengthen the tech ecosystem in Connecticut and make it easier for businesses to thrive. We are one of many organizations in Connecticut that — in some fashion — share this mission. Success for the CTC, and more importantly for its 200-member companies, depends on listening to this constituency, developing clearly defined and realistic goals, and building relationships.

You don’t have to be a tech expert to lead that effort. 

Of course, Connecticut has a citizen legislature, which means most lawmakers have careers and responsibilities outside of the General Assembly. Prior to joining the CTC, I was the vice president of marketing and communications at the UConn Foundation and I learned a great deal about stewarding donors and building strategic communication plans. 

Q. You’ve been CTC’s CEO since January. What have you been working on so far? 

 A. My focus has largely been on three areas: meeting with and listening to the needs of CTC’s members; strengthening the organization’s events and programming; and working on developing alliances with other nonprofits that share our mission.

In terms of a listening tour, I’ve met with dozens of business and educational leaders from across the state. I’ve toured new incubator spaces in Hartford and New Haven and heard from budding entrepreneurs about what they need to be successful. 

In March, CTC hosted its Women of Innovation event, celebrating women who are leaders in the STEM fields. I’m pleased that by any measure it was the most successful event in the program’s 15-year history.

Lastly, CTC has been in discussions with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) for several months about how we can collaborate more closely. After reviewing our respective visions and missions it became clear that there was such good synergy that our dialogue has now evolved to forming a formal alliance.

The details are still being ironed out and both of our boards are enthusiastic about the chance to provide even more value to companies/members in the most efficient manner possible. CCAT’s educational programs and their Advanced Manufacturing Center are just two examples of their resources for technology development and advanced training, which are attractive to many of our members. 

We believe the CTC can and should be part of this new model for innovation and industry growth in the tech sector.

Q. What are your main priorities and goals at the CTC?

A. Throughout my discussions with leadership from our member companies I consistently hear that they want help finding and developing talented employees, accessing resources for growth, and connecting with potential clients/customers. Therefore, that list must be front and center for us.

The question is: How can CTC best deliver for our members, especially in the context of this alphabet soup that exists in Connecticut among business-related organizations? I believe collaboration and partnerships are critical, not only for organizations like ours, but for companies and employees. It must be easier for them to connect with resources and each other and it’s our job to put the acronyms aside and make that happen.

Q. What are the three major issues impacting the state’s tech industry?

A. It’s been said that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location. For tech right now in Connecticut, I would argue it is talent, talent and talent.  

The labor market is tight, and many companies struggle to find skilled workers. Connecticut’s workforce is getting older and that’s a concern, making it even more important to attract/retain workers of all ages. 

It’s important to note that in many ways the state’s tech sector is doing very well. Stanley Black & Decker’s and Infosys’ new Hartford presence are examples of the positive impact tech is having.

Q. Did the tech industry score any major legislative victories in the recently concluded legislative session?

A. The bipartisan effort to ensure all students in Connecticut high schools have access to computer-science classes represents real progress. Computer science and coding is increasingly the language of our economy and it’s imperative that all students, regardless of socio-economic background or gender, have exposure to this curriculum.

Our talented students will be the tech employees of tomorrow and especially considering Connecticut’s workforce challenges, this expansion of computer science in our schools is a wise move that will pay dividends down the road.