Daniel H. O’Keefe was appointed commissioner of economic development by Gov. Ned Lamont in November 2023, and has served as Connecticut’s first chief innovation officer since July 2023. He oversees statewide economic strategy, with a focus on competitiveness and digital transformation.
Over the past year, he said Connecticut has become the fourth-fastest-growing economy in the country. The state has also launched several major initiatives, including Innovation Clusters ($100 million), QuantumCT ($120 million), Greyfields ($50 million) and Strategic Supply Chain ($50 million).
Before entering public service, O’Keefe spent 25 years as a technology investor, most recently as managing partner at Apax Partners. He serves on the boards of the University of Connecticut, Brown University, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, Connecticut Innovations and AdvanceCT.
Looking ahead, he said energy affordability remains the state’s central economic challenge and opportunity.
What qualities are most essential for effective leadership today?
Listening more than speaking. Empathy. Empowering those around you to succeed. Humble, quiet excellence.
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What do you value most about living or doing business in Connecticut?
I grew up with eight people packed into a three-bedroom home. When I went away to school, all the Connecticut people were the fancy ones. They had been on airplanes, knew how to ski and wore North Face jackets.
I vowed that when I “made” it, I would move to Connecticut. And it has been an incredible place to raise my family. But my daughters refuse to wear North Face.
What is one change that would make Connecticut more competitive economically?
More affordable housing, and lower energy prices.
Book recommendation: “From Strength to Strength” by Arthur Brooks.
Go-to news media outlets: National: NYT, WSJ, Washington Post. Local: HBJ, CTMirror and channels 12, 3, 61.
Hobby or leisure activity: Anything that forces my girls to get off their devices and talk to me. Mostly skiing in the winter and boating in the summer.
Favorite podcast: “Pod Save America”; “The Ezra Klein Show”; and “TBPN”