CBIA BizCast

Connecticut lawmakers continue to grapple with affordability challenges facing small businesses—and energy costs are a major focus this legislative session. In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, host Amanda Marlow highlights proposed legislation aimed at reducing energy costs, along with key business and policy developments from across the state. Small business owners, lawmakers, and business organizations are calling attention to Senate Bill 2—a democrat priority bill that supports local tourism and cut the state sales tax on energy for many small businesses. The bill passed out of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee on a bipartisan vote. The episode also features a portion of a conversation between some of Connecticut’s top women in healthcare from CBIA’s When Women Lead conference, which brought nearly 800 attendees to Hartford last month. Episode Highlights—SB 2 - CBIA VP of public policy Chris Davis breaks down the sales tax exemption on energy - CBIA senior policy director Pete Myers testimony before the Finance Committee - Business leaders, lawmakers, business owners, and advocates speak at a news conference in support of SB 2’s tourism provision. Speakers include: - Bruce Becker, Hotel Marcel - First Selectman Carl Fortuna, Old Saybrook - Aubrey LaMonica, Eli Cannon’s and Tate’s restaurants - Sen. Cathy Osten, (D-Baltic) - Scott Dolch, Connecticut Restaurant and Hospitality Association - Rep. David Rutigliano, (R-Trumbull) - Mayor Shari Cantor, (D-West Hartford) - Joe Delong, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities - Rep. Farley Santos (D-Danbury) Headlines You May Have Missed - Small Business Award: West Hartford-based Derek Ezovski, president of Outsourced Risk Management Solutions, has been named Connecticut’s 2026 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. - Electric Boat Expansion: General Dynamics Electric Boat plans to hire 8,000 workers across Connecticut and Rhode Island as part of historic growth and investment. - Trade Impacts: New federal data show exports grew just 1.9% in 2025, while imports surged ahead of newly imposed tariffs. Episode Highlights—When Women Lead - Resilience and navigating challenges - Advocating for women in the healthcare industry - Advice for women in leadership The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear from by emailing bizcast@cbia.com.

In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, we bring you a portion of the March 18 conversation between Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven), Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield), House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford), and House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) at Connecticut Business Day 2026. The legislative leaders talked with Crown Castle’s Meg Glander to discuss their legislative goals for the remainder of the session. Also this episode, Amanda Marlow sits down with Hartford Business Journal editor Greg Bordonaro. Bordonaro breaks down some of the state’s key economic issues, the top storylines this legislative session, and the HBJ’s role in informing Connecticut’s business community Episode Highlights and Topics Legislative Panel • Healthcare costs • Energy and gas costs • Workforce development Hartford Business Journal • Economic uncertainty • Cost concerns • HBJ’s role as a voice for businesses Headlines You May Have Missed • Association Health Plan legislation advances • Lawmakers discuss expanding R&D tax credits for small businesses • Release-based cleanup regulations officially take effect • Proposals aim to align education system with workforce needs The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear from by emailing bizcast@cbia.com.

In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, Amanda Marlow sits down with CBIA Foundation director Dustin Nord to break down major recent developments surrounding the Trump Administration’s sweeping global tariffs. In late February, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unconstitutional. While the ruling was welcomed by many businesses, it also created new economic uncertainty. The episode also features highlights from a conversation from CBIA’s 2026 Technology Summit between Sen. James Maroney (D-Milford), Yale Venture’s Josh Geballe, Future of Privacy Forum’s Tatiana Rice and Amazon’s Wyatt Bosworth on the state of AI for businesses, and the balancing act for policymakers. Episode Highlights, Topics Tariff Impact • Recent developments on where tariff policy stands right now • How tariff volatility is complicating business decisions including investment, reshoring, and supply chain planning • Steps the state can take to stay competitive despite federal uncertainty Highlights from AI Panel • How Connecticut’s AI policy is shifting from broad frameworks to industry-specific rules and harm-focused regulations • Why it’s important to ensure that AI policy balances regulation with supporting innovation • How Connecticut is working to become the most AI-literate state in the country Headlines You May Have Missed • Sweeping “emergency” bill includes new warehouse mandates • Bills target reforms to strengthen accountability and modernize regulatory review • Transportation Committee looking into legislation to expand access to transit services The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear from by emailing bizcast@cbia.com.

In this episode of the CBIA BizCast, Amanda Marlow sits down with CBIA policy chief Chris Davis to break down the start of the 2026 General Assembly Session, Gov. Ned Lamont’s State of the State address, key legislative proposals, and what business leaders—especially small businesses—should be watching closely in the weeks ahead. The episode also features highlights from a conversation between Davis and a bipartisan panel of lawmakers that included Sen. Christine Cohen (D-Guilford),  Sen. Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven), Rep. Jack Fazzino (D-Berlin), and Rep. Tami Zawistowski (R-East Granby) at CBIA’s Jan. 29 Economic Summit + Outlook. Episode Highlights, Topics What’s New in the 2026 Legislative Session Overview of early session priorities and the Lamont’s budget proposals Why a proposal to extend R&D tax credits to pass-through entities could boost investment, job growth, and business retention in Connecticut Concerns about Lamont’s proposal to pay for a one-time rebate for families making under $400,000 Legislative proposal eliminates the sales tax on energy costs for small businesses Support for proposals to lower healthcare costs including a renewed pus for Association Health Plans and support for tax credits tied to ICHRA health benefit accounts Efforts to expand workforce readiness and career pipeline programs Highlights from Legislative Panel Lawmakers’ views on affordability: healthcare, childcare, housing, and higher education Workforce transportation including first-mile/last-mile and microtransit solutions The importance of trades, manufacturing careers, and early exposure for students Headlines You May Have Missed Environmental permitting reform proposals Labor committee bills resurfacing from past sessions New data on Connecticut’s labor force and population trends The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts. Please rate the podcast and leave us a review—we appreciate your support! And be sure to give us your feedback and share guests you’d like to hear from by emailing bizcast@cbia.com.

The CBIA BizCast is entering its next chapter—bringing Connecticut’s business community closer to the conversations that matter most. The relaunched BizCast continues its tradition of sitting down with business and community leaders from across the state. At the same time, the podcast will expanding its focus to go deeper into the issues, opportunities, and challenges businesses face every day. The new format blends insightful interviews with policy experts, behind‑the‑scenes conversations from CBIA events, and clear breakdowns of reports and economic indicators shaping Connecticut’s economy. Episodes will also tackle practical and timely topics—from HR questions to energy costs—impacting employers and employees every day. This evolution of the BizCast is driven by the business community itself. We invite listeners to share the issues, concerns, and questions they want covered. Email us at bizcast@cbia.com with ideas and feedback. New episodes return in two weeks.

2026 is an important year for the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation. After celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2025, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving kicked off the year with a major rebranding and plans for a new headquarters in Hartford’s North End. Foundation president and CEO Jay Williams joined the CBIA BizCast to highlight the nonprofit’s mission and new chapter. “We wanted a name that was actionable and modern,” he said. “‘Greater Hartford Gives Foundation’ speaks to the breadth of our reach and the fact that giving is bidirectional—the community and donors give to us, and we give back to the community.” The foundation partners with donors and nonprofits to support residents in 29 communities that make up Greater Hartford. Williams said their focus is to “dismantle structural racism and help build equitable opportunities” in areas including basic human needs, employment and education, thriving neighborhoods, civic and resident engagement, and the arts. “The mission is about putting philanthropy into action to create lasting solutions, to help add vibrancy to all the 29 towns that we serve.” Williams said their centennial year showcased those priorities in practice. The foundation recapitalized local funds in each of its 29 towns with $100,000 for volunteer-led grantmaking, launched the Greater Future Scholarship in partnership with Hartford Promise—providing up to $100,000 in financial assistance plus a decade of wraparound supports—and announced $6 million in investments for artists and arts organizations across the region. The nonprofit also partnered with the Connecticut Forum for an event with President Barack Obama in Hartford. “The entire year was about just trying to convey to the community how deeply appreciative we were, and continue to be of their generosity, and to also demonstrate that we are here for good—we are here for the next 100 years,” Williams said. The foundation closed the year by unveiling the new name and a plan to break ground on a community-centered headquarters in the city’s North End. The building will serve as a community hub, convening donors and nonprofits. It will also offer a no-cost space for neighborhood groups and community organizations. “We want to assist the small businesses in that Albany Avenue, Main Street corridor. We want the citizens and the neighborhood groups to have access,” he said. Williams’ path to the foundation began in Youngstown, Ohio, a city he said has a similar blue-collar grit and perseverance to Hartford. After starting his career in banking, he moved into public service as the city’s director of community development. He was elected mayor in 2005, becoming the youngest and first Black mayor in the city’s history. His focus on economic revival eventually led him to Washington, D.C., where he joined the Obama administration in 2005 with roles focused on community and economic development. Williams said he never sought out the position in the administration but felt humbled by the opportunity. "When your secretary calls and says, 'The White House is on the phone,' you've got to take that call," he said. Williams joined the foundation in 2017. “The board was looking for someone with some community economic development background,” he said. “To me, I was like, this is the perfect combination. If someone said, ‘write your next perfect job,’ this would have been it.” Reflecting on his career, Williams said each chapter has reinforced the same lesson: “It’s more important to be impactful than it is to be successful,” he said. “If you focus on relevance and impact, success will follow.” Related Links: Greater Hartford Gives Website: https://greaterhartfordgives.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greaterhartfordgives/ Jay Williams LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-williams47/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/

Continuous improvement is a principle that’s shaped HABCO Industries president and CEO Brian Montanari’s career—one that spans driving forklifts to leading an aerospace company. Today, as CBIA’s recently elected board chair, he applies that principle to strengthen Connecticut’s business community. “I definitely have a lot of passion for Connecticut—for making Connecticut a better place for my employees, for their families,” Montanari tells the CBIA BizCast. Montanari joined HABCO in 2007 and became president and CEO in 2012. The company operates in the aerospace aftermarket, providing service and maintenance for commercial and defense partners. “It's really cool when you take a look at what we do,” Montanari said. “Very rarely can you look at any aircraft—commercial or military—that we don’t touch in some way,” he said. Montanari is proud to lead a company with a 55-year legacy. “When I look at some of the employees that have been there for longer than 40 years—at least half the business has been there longer than me, that means a lot,” he said. “And so now it’s my responsibility, and it’s my team’s responsibility, to make sure that those employees continue to feel valued, provide value and make HABCO a place that they want to retire.” Montanari’s passion for his team and Connecticut drove his involvement with growing the next generation of the workforce. That includes teaching classes at Eastern Connecticut State University and serving on the boards of organizations like CBIA and CONNSTEP. “If you're gonna open your mouth, if you're gonna say something, if you're gonna have an opinion, then if you finally have a forum to be able to do something about it, do it,” he said. It was that mentality that pushed Montanari to take a more active role on CBIA’s board. “If I'm going to dedicate my time to an organization, I want to give it my all, and I want to make a difference,” he notes. As board chair, Montanari said his priorities include workforce development and housing. Ultimately, he aims to make Connecticut more affordable for businesses. “It doesn't need to be legislation for companies versus employees, it doesn't need to be in us versus them," he said. "They can be one and the same.” Montanari said by the end of his term, he hopes to have helped move the state forward. “You can't win. It's nothing to win,” Montanari said. “It’s about continuous improvement. “If businesses grow, we create jobs. If we create jobs, then we help families flourish. "If families flourish, then the communities are going to flourish, the communities flourish, then the state becomes a better place.” The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Amanda Marlow. Related Links: HABCO Industries Website: https://habco.biz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/habco-industries-llc/ Brian Montanari LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-montanari-835562/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/

Over the course of 2025, some of Connecticut’s remarkable business leaders joined the CBIA BizCast. These leaders have built successful teams, overcome challenges, and helped build a better Connecticut. They shared their stories of entrepreneurship and innovation, resilience and success. To close out 2025, we wanted to look back on some of their stories and words of wisdom. This episode features insights from: • Marietta Lee, President and CEO, The Lee Company • Dr. Albert Green, CEO, QuantumCT • Greg Barats, President and CEO, Hartford Steam Boiler • Siddartha Kalita, Principal, Mercer • Bryn Tindall and Sam Barrett, Rebellion Group • Lawrence Ward, President, University of Hartford • Dean Brenner, CEO, The Latimer Group • Nick Sentementes, Director of Development, Hall Neighborhood House • Chris Ulbrich, Board Chair, Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals • Grace Napolitano, Principal and Business Development Officer, The TAC Group • Paul Pescatello, CBIA • Rohan Freeman, President and CEO, Freeman Companies • Dustin Nord, Director, CBIA Foundation • Abul Islam and Tariq Islam, AI Engineers • Jacqueline Laramee and Melissa Sheffy, NDC Commercial Construction and Network Interiors Inc. • Nicholas Bokron, CEO, Omar Coffee Company • Elicia Pegues Spearman, CEO, Girl Scouts of Connecticut Thank you to all the leaders who joined us this past year. And a special thank you for listening to and watching the BizCast. We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories with you in 2026. The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Amanda Marlow.

The Girl Scouts have always held a special place in Elicia Pegues Spearman’s life. “My mother was a Girl Scout Brownie when she was growing up,” Pegues Spearman told the CBIA BizCast. “I was a Brownie here in Connecticut, and my daughter was a Girl Scout, and I was a coach, troop leader.” Despite that history, Pegues Spearman never imagined leading Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “I’ve enjoyed my career as a lawyer,” she said. “I’ve had a really good career.” Her career included legal counsel and HR roles at the State of Connecticut, the FBI, Aetna, Hubbell Incorporated, General Dynamics Electric Boat, and Quinnipiac University. She reconnected with Girl Scouts in 2022 when she received a Breakfast Badge, an award honoring woman for community contributions. She stayed in touch with the then-CEO and, in 2024, became CEO herself. “The Girl Scouts is a lot of fun,” she said about making the career shift. “I don't like to be bored.” While cookies often come to mind when you think of the Girl Scouts—it’s the organization’s biggest initiative teaching entrepreneurship, customer service, and money management—the organization’s purpose runs deeper. “We are more than cookies, camps and badges,” Pegues Spearman said. “Our whole mission is to build girls of confidence, character, and courage. “To do that, we have many programs and skill building that build leadership development that our girls are involved in.” Pegues Spearman said the Girl Scouts of Connecticut focus on outdoor skills, life skills, business skills, and STEAM education. Pegues Spearman highlighted Camp Sikorsky and Camp CEO as examples of programs that give girls experiential learning opportunities. The Girl Scouts of Connecticut focus on outdoor skills, life skills, business skills, and STEAM education. “I just feel like we're giving them the secrets to success earlier on in their lives,” Pegues Spearman said. “They kind of have a roadmap about what it means to be successful.” One of the best parts, she said, is watching girls interact and grow in confidence. “Seeing that sparkle in their eye and that like, ‘wow, I just did that,’” she said. As the leader of a nonprofit, Pegues Spearman said being successful means navigating challenges. “I think the biggest challenge is obviously resources. We're a nonprofit. We have tight budgets, and we depend on volunteers,” she said. Pegues Spearman credits her team of paid employees and volunteers for the success of the organization. “My staff loves our mission, and we work every day with that mission in mind,” she said. “It's easy when you’re supporting youth.” As part of its mission, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut is working to expand access for girls of all abilities and backgrounds, with a special focus on underserved communities. “We want all girls of all abilities to be able to access Girl Scouts,” she said. In addition to her role with the Girl Scouts, Pegues Spearman serves as the North Atlantic Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The sorority is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Pegues Spearman said she finds natural alignment between her work with the sorority and her role with the Girl Scouts. “Being the leader of the Girl Scouts, going to an all-women’s college, being in an all-women’s sorority—it's natural for me to be involved with girls and youth,” she said. “This is my special passion—to mentor girls and have them be their best and have them try things they would have never tried.” Related Links: Girl Scouts of Connecticut Website: https://www.gsofct.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gsofct/ Elicia Pegues Spearman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliciaspearman/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/

If you ask Omar Coffee CEO Nicolas Bokron how to run a successful, fourth-generation business, he’ll tell you about the core values posted on the walls around his company. “Trust, not tricks” is one of them. “Generally, the coffee business is about on-going relationships, so it’s very important to take care of issues and make them right,” Bokron said. “People need to trust and rely on you.” Bokron recently sat down to talk about all things coffee—and his family’s always-evolving 88-year-old business—with first-time CBIA BizCast guest host Ari Santiago, well-known for his Made in America podcast series. Founded in 1937 by Bokron’s great-grandfather John Costas, Omar Coffee started in Hartford’s South End. Over the years, it gradually grew into a regional company that roasts raw coffee beans, then sells, packs and distributes them to customers throughout the Northeast and beyond. Omar also provides and services coffee brewing equipment for food service establishments. On the retail side, Omar sells its coffee online. “We’ll give you everything you need to get set up and get brewing so you can sell coffee by the cup,” Bokron said. In line with its business culture and family values, Bokron says when it comes to hiring new employees, the first thing the company looks for is character. “If someone has the right attitude, shows up at the right time, day in and day out, and they’re reliable, then we’ll try to give them the appropriate skills, whether its manufacturing, sales, or service,” he said. The family’s values and strong culture built on hard work and integrity run deep at Omar. “We’re big believers of training from within,” he said. “There are people who work at Omar now whose parents worked for my grandfather. “They share the same connection and affinity to the business because it means more to them than just a job.” When it comes to keeping a family business evolving with the times—and staying competitive regardless of industry trends—Bokron said he’s learned to maintain a long-term perspective. “My grandfather taught me you just sort of have to remain steady,” he said. “Good things are going to happen, and bad things are going to happen. “So I feel like it’s my responsibility to take the information in, try to solve the problems, and remain cool, calm and collected. “I mean after all we’re making coffee here. We have to remain steady because we have a long-term focus.” Related Links Omar Coffee Website: https://www.omarcoffee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/omar-coffee-company/ Nicholas Bokron LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bokron-09a0a823/ Made in America Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/MadeinAmericaPodcastwithAri Made in America Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/made-in-america-podcast-with-ari/ Ari Santiago LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asantiago104/ CBIA Website: https://www.cbia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/ The CBIA BizCast is made possible through the generous support of Google. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell, contact Amanda Marlow.