CBIA BizCast

CBIA’s BizCast team sits down with James Shmerling, the president CEO at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to discuss his 42 year career, navigating through the pandemic, and the role of children’s hospitals in the community. “We have to understand and appreciate that there is a definite role for children’s hospitals,” Shmerling said. “But we have a much bigger role in trying to promote their health out in the community, engage with families, and work with social service agencies.”

CBIA’s BizCast team sits down with Downes Construction vice president of field operations John Fraioli and apprentice carpenter Michael Feliciano to discuss the company’s apprenticeship program. Fraioli, who was born and raised in New Britain, started as an apprentice carpenter himself with Downes 42 years ago. “I’ve seen our company grow from probably 15 employees to now at 65 employees,” Fraioli said. Feliciano is a recent graduate of New Britain High School, who learned about Downes and the apprenticeship program after the company gave a presentation in his construction class. “It really stood out to me and caught my eye,” Feliciano said. “They explained how construction touches everything. “They were explaining how we don’t start with the walls, but the foundation. I took that not just literally but metaphorically because you have to build that base especially when you’re young right out of high school build that base and work your way up.”

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with TD Bank’s Mike LaBella about the bank’s history in Connecticut and how it works to help small businesses thrive in today’s economy. LaBella will also open CBIA’s Made in Connecticut 2022 Manufacturing Summit Oct. 27 at the Toyota Oakdale Theater. A year ago when he spoke at the conference, LaBella said we were in a different place—unsure of where the economy was going to go, and with interest rates near zero. “Today we have 8% inflation, the highest in 30 years, interest rates that are rising,” LaBella said. “It just shows what businesses in and of themselves have to go through, and how fast they have to change. We’re really there to support them.” LaBella said he encourages businesses to use the resources that are available to them to help with different needs.

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with Shipman & Goodwin LLP’s Jaime Welsh and Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford’s Rev. Aaron Miller about ways they support the transgender community and how businesses can support employees. The two organizations partnered with GLAD and other community groups for GLAD’s Transgender ID project, an ID clinic that offers legal name and gender change services to people.

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with CBIA HR Counsel Diane Mokriski about complaints employers receive by mail and how to respond. Mokriski said there are various types of complaints employers may receive from agencies related to CHRO or EEOC discrimination, an OSHA safety violation, improper tax withholding or a complaint related to a Department of Labor violation. Mokriski breaks down the process after receiving a CHRO discrimination complaint, and advice employers should adhere to throughout the investigation.

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with Nicholas Gondek and Emily Turcan from Adia about the company’s focus on additive manufacturing. Gondek is the director of additive manufacturing and Turcan is a strategic account manager. Formerly known as ACT 3D Equipment and Services, the team rebranded to Adia earlier this summer. The team helps large and small companies throughout various industries develop 3D printing solutions.

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with Paul Savas, vice president of Comcast Business for the western New England region about what the company is doing to support small businesses. Savas said they launched Comcast RISE in 2020 as part of a Comcast $100 million commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with Robinson + Cole LLP managing partner Rhonda Tobin about the firm’s plans to move its downtown Hartford office to a new location in the city. The firm announced it would be moving to One State Street, known as the Hartford Steam Boiler building, last month. “Our top mission is to deliver outstanding client service, and the way that we do that is to recruit and retain the best talent,” Tobin said.

CBIA’s BizCast team speaks with Michael Weinstock, M&T Bank’s Hartford regional president about the new initiatives the bank has implemented to support small businesses across Connecticut. “We’re committed to Connecticut because we believe it is a good place to live, to work, and a prime location for businesses to thrive,” Weinstock said.

CBIA's Bizcast team went to Pathways Academy in West Hartford where student interns presented projects to business clients, including Travelers and Hartford Healthcare.