Meet the CONNSTEP Team

Your business will benefit from the expertise and knowledge that the experienced team at CONNSTEP brings to your organization and its employees. We’re dedicated to helping Connecticut’s manufacturing and business community successfully thrive in a competitive environment.

Leadership

  • Beatriz Gutierrez

    Beatriz Gutierrez

    President & CEO
    Beatriz leads the development and execution of CONNSTEP’s strategic plan, supporting Connecticut manufacturers...
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  • Miles Herrick

    Miles Herrick

    Director, Business Development & Sales
    Miles is responsible for managing CONNSTEP’s sales and business development efforts, working collaboratively...
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  • Caroline Bernardoni

    Director, People & Culture
    Caroline manages all aspects of the HR department for CONNSTEP including the diversity, equity, and inclusion...
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  • Barbara Fernandez

    Barbara Fernandez

    Director, Public-Private Partnerships and Development
    Barbara utilizes her wealth of experience to drive the growth of CONNSTEP. She cultivates and maximizes...
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  • Rick Mullins

    Rick Mullins

    Director, Service Delivery
    Rick leads the delivery of grants, projects, and training programs for CONNSTEP. He creates and implements...
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  • Rob Blakey's Headshot

    Robert Blakey

    Chief Financial Officer
    Robert manages all areas of accounting at CONNSTEP and is responsible for financial planning, compliance,...
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  • Tyler Scott's Headshot

    Tyler Scott

    Marketing Manager
    Tyler is responsible for developing and executing marketing plans that align with the strategic goals...
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Business Development Advisors

Who is Assigned to Your Town? Find out here.

  • Paul Aiello

    Paul Aiello

    Business Development Advisor
    Paul Aiello is responsible for account management and business development for the Eastern Connecticut...
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  • Doug Narins

    Business Development Advisor
    Doug is responsible for account management and business development in the Fairfield and Litchfield counties....
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  • Prakaithip Romanow

    Business Development Advisor
    Prakaithip is responsible for account management and business development in the state of Connecticut,...
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  • Phoebe Gonzales

    Associate Business Development Advisor
    Phoebe supports the CONNSTEP business development team in identifying and pursuing growth opportunities...
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  • Ryan Stanley

    Associate Business Development Advisor
    Ryan supports the CONNSTEP business development team in identifying and pursuing growth opportunities...
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CONNSTEP Consultants

  • Matin Karbassioon's Headshot

    Matin Karbassioon

    Continuous Improvement
    Matin provides consulting, training, facilitation, and mentoring to manufacturers, healthcare institutions,...
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  • Carissa Roman

    Carissa Roman

    Continuous Improvement
    Carissa provides consulting, training, facilitation, and mentoring to Connecticut manufacturers and service...
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  • Anna Mumford

    Anna Mumford

    Cybersecurity
    Anna provides cybersecurity assessments, conducts risk analyses and performs compliance reviews with...
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  • Rachele Brown

    Rachele Brown

    Quality Management
    Rachele works with manufacturers to identify quality improvements in a number of certifications including...
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  • Jack Crane

    Jack Crane

    Senior Advisor
    Jack provides manufacturers with guidance and mentoring in strategic planning, marketing, new product...
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  • Anthony DiCioccio

    Technology Innovation and Improvement Consultant
    ...
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Meet the Team

  • Cindy Malota

    Assistant Controller
    Cindy is responsible for assisting and facilitating the many aspects of CONNSTEP’s accounting process,...
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  • Shelly Talley

    Business Process Manager
    Shelly is in charge of CONNSTEP’s Project Management Office where she initiates and administers project...
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  • Kelly Tubridy

    Executive Administrative Assistant
    Kelly provides senior-level administrative support for the President and CEO of CONNSTEP, the Board of...
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  • Headshot of Arani Osler

    Arani Osler

    Leader of Operational Excellence
    Arani leads the Operational Excellence (OpX) function at CONNSTEP.
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  • Bernice Zampano

    Program Manager
    Bernice manages the CONNEX Connecticut Supply Chain Solution database, directing customer engagement...
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  • Amanda Beaulieu

    Marketing Media Consultant
    Amanda is responsible for creating, coordinating, and developing case studies for successful submission...
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  • Dean's Headshot

    Dean Simmons

    Senior Copywriter
    Dean handles the development of content and execution of copy across multiple communications platforms,...
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  • Chris Narowski

    Smart Manufacturing Energy Leader
    Chris is responsible for managing the SMARTE grant program and developing and executing CONNSTEP's Energy...
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  • Hannah Stella

    Marketing Coordinator
    Hannah is responsible for the planning, coordination, and successful execution of CONNSTEP marketing...
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  • Eric Wright

    Supply Chain Program Manager
    Eric oversees the strategic execution and management of CONNSTEP’s Connecticut Supply Chain Optimization...
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  • Alex Roberts

    Systems Analyst
    Alex is focused on supporting CONNSTEP's data analytics and cybersecurity initiatives. He is also responsible...
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  • Ryan Scott

    Supply Chain Program Manager
    Ryan is responsible for managing CONNSTEP's Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN)...
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