CBIA BizCast

BizCast interviews Curtis Packaging president and CEO Don Droppo, Jr. about the company's quick shift to designing, manufacturing, and distributing thousands of face shields to frontline healthcare workers. With a major anniversary pending this year, Droppo also discusses the resiliency of the Sandy Hook-based family-owned company and its workforce over the past 175 years–"we're gritty New Englanders getting it done." 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with Max Restaurant Group vice president Scott Smith about the coronavirus' impact on Connecticut's restaurant industry. Smith shares how the Max Cares Foundation is helping affected industry workers and the community, and the challenges that lie ahead for reopening. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with Quassy Amusement Park owner George Frantzis about the pandemic's impact, including the indefinite delay of the Middlebury attraction's season opening. Frantzis shares his challenges and concerns about reopening the park this summer and what protocols he plans to put into place to ensure the safety of staff and guests. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with Thomaston Savings Bank president and CEO Stephen Lewis about what small businesses need to know to prepare for the next round of federal disaster loan relief. Lewis shares how his community bank processed a year's worth of loan applications in just 15 days after the Paycheck Protection Program launched on April 3. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with The Lee Company president and CEO Bill Lee about the company ramping up production of ventilator parts to meet a surging need from healthcare providers. Lee, who sits on the board of Guilford Savings Bank, also discusses how community banks are distributing federal relief loans to small businesses. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com. For additional information about the pandemic, including guidance for protecting workplace health and safety, business continuity and planning, risk mitigation, labor and employment law compliance, and more, visit CBIA's coronavirus resource center: www.cbia.com/resource/category/coronavirus/

BizCast talks with Connecticut Green Bank marketing manager Robert Schmitt and manager of commercial, industrial and institutional programs Alysse Lembo-Buzzelli about the new Charge Up Connecticut Buildings initiative. Schmitt and Lembo-Buzzelli discuss how businesses can apply for electric vehicle charging installation and why it’s important for the future of energy efficiency and transportation. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with Connecticut Bioscience Growth Council executive director and senior counsel Paul Pescatello about the latest coronavirus discoveries and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pescatello also discusses vaccine development led by Connecticut’s bioscience sector, and how the science will inform the reopening of businesses across the region. For more information on Connecticut's Bioscience Growth Council, visit www.cbia.com/bioscience/. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast chats with Digital Surgeons founder and CEO Pete Sena about the way the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting business operations. Sena talks about some of the challenges he's experiencing leading his New Haven-based digital marketing agency remotely and the tools he uses to stay connected with employees and clients. And he shares an inside look at 4-CT.org, the new philanthropic connection website Digital Surgeons built in partnership with state government in just 48 hours. Digital Surgeons: https://www.digitalsurgeons.com Pete Sena’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersena/ Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection: https://www.4-ct.org 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with Thermaxx Jackets’ chief financial officer Larry Campana about how the insulation manufacturer now produces disposable gowns for medical and public safety workers fighting the pandemic. Campana discusses how the company increased production in a matter of weeks, why they’ve decided to donate the gowns, and how this new effort has energized employees during an uncertain time. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.

BizCast talks with OKAY Industries president and CEO Jason Howey about the manufacturer organizing community efforts to produce protective equipment for local healthcare and public safety workers. Howey discusses why the company is stepping up to produce PPE for the coronavirus pandemic fight and how they've engaged local schools, volunteers, and funding sources to get it done. 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 katie.krajcik@cbia.com.