Chris DiPentima is president and CEO of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, the state’s largest business organization, representing thousands of employers across industries and regions. CBIA’s network includes the CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity, its workers’ compensation mutual company, a products and services company, a captive insurance LLC, and affiliates including CONNSTEP and ReadyCT.
DiPentima previously served as division president of Leggett & Platt Aerospace, overseeing operations at Pegasus Manufacturing in Middletown and additional locations in Washington, California and France. He joined Pegasus in 2002 and became president in 2006, leading strategic initiatives that doubled employment and revenue before the company was acquired by Leggett & Platt in 2016.
Earlier in his career, he practiced law for eight years.
Over the past year, CBIA helped advocate for regulatory reforms, including replacing the Transfer Act with release-based cleanup regulations. The organization has also expanded member engagement through events and programs, while advancing workforce and manufacturing initiatives through the CBIA Foundation and Manufacturing Coalition.
What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today?
Effective leadership requires a combination of conviction, adaptability and humility. The most effective leaders listen broadly and rely on their team, recognizing they don’t have to know everything.
Leaders must be strong and convincing in their strategy, willing to move forward boldly, while also remaining flexible enough to adjust and adapt as things inevitably change. Uncertainty and change can cause leaders to retreat into defense mode. The best leaders instead look for opportunity in disruption, understanding that challenges often create the greatest openings for growth.
Equally important is understanding what leadership is not. It is not about being the smartest or busiest person in the room every day. When that happens, the system is broken — even if short-term results look good. True leadership is about building a business that does not depend on you.
Trusting others, empowering strong teams and creating systems where responsibility is shared are essential to sustainable success.
At CBIA, this philosophy comes to life through incredible trust in our board, policy councils, member segments, manufacturing coalition and staff. That trust fuels a culture of innovation and adaptability. My role is to act more as a facilitator than an integrator — loosening my grip on the wheel and letting others lead.
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What do you value most about living or doing business in Connecticut?
Connecticut is a state with deep, meaningful connections. Whether it’s working with our staff, board and members, or connecting with policymakers, advocates and residents — there are so many opportunities to collaborate. And it’s through that collaboration that we truly drive innovation and grow Connecticut.
What is one change that would make Connecticut more competitive economically?
One of the biggest challenges faced by Connecticut businesses is cumbersome and unpredictable interactions with state government. Simple, but meaningful steps to modernize government through improved workforce practices, digitization and leveraging partnerships can improve predictability, speed and taxpayer savings.
Book recommendations: “The Goal” by Eliyahu M. Goldratt; “Good to Great” by Jim Collins; “Never Stop: Life, Leadership, and What It Takes to Be Great” by Dan Hurley
Go-to news media outlets: Hartford Business Journal, Connecticut Mirror, Hearst Connecticut Media, WTIC, WGCH, WICC, NPR, News 8, Politico and The Wall Street Journal
Hobby or leisure activity: Golf and boating with my family
Favorite podcasts: “Smartless,” “Marketplace,” “The Rewatchables,” and the “CBIA BizCast”