Small and medium-sized businesses are crucial to Connecticut’s health and well-being. They are job creators and taxpayers — without them, our state cannot prosper.
Big businesses can afford new taxes and new regulations; when they can’t, they hire expensive lobbyists to fight their battles. None of this is true for small and medium-sized businesses — the backbone of our communities. Where do they turn?
At Yankee Institute, we have long fought to give a voice to the voiceless in Connecticut. And that means not just individuals but the small and medium-sized businesses that make our economy work.
Yankee Institute’s common sense solutions drive positive legislative results, backed by a principled commitment to free enterprise. But it takes all of us to “Let Connecticut Work!” Come meet other Connecticut businesspeople and policymakers. Be part of a community uniting to make our state a more vibrant place for businesses. This is your chance to be heard!
COMMISSIONER, CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SERVICES
Mark D. Boughton is the current commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS), serving in his second term in Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration. At DRS, Commissioner Boughton has prioritized fair and equitable tax administration, excellent customer service, and utilizing data and analytics to increase efficiencies and contribute to the economic well-being of Connecticut.
INDEPENDENT SALES REPRESENTATIVE - SURE MERCHANT SERVICES
For over 45 years, Coomes has been involved with petroleum marketing. After holding various support positions, he purchased an Amoco Oil franchise. Beginning in 1986 he became the owner of Route 66 Gulf in Middletown, CT, a high-volume retail gasoline outlet. He was also the wholesale marketing representative with a CT fuel distributor for the next 13 years. Currently semi-retired, Ken is an independent sales representative with Sure Merchant Services.
R-36TH, RANKING - ENERGY & TECHNOLOGY AND PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
Outside of his duties in the General Assembly, Fazio has had a career working in commodities markets, moving tens of millions of tons of agriculture and energy goods around the world, and specializing in renewable energy. He currently works at a growth equity firm that invests in medium-sized businesses and advises their management to help them grow.
OWNER, FLANDERS FISH MARKET & RESTAURANT AND FORMER STATE SENATOR
Formica has owned and operated Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant for 40 years. He also had a political career, serving as a state senator from 2015-2023 where he was the Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore and a ranking member of the Energy and Technology Committee.
DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING, BIGELOW TEA
Gildea has been with Bigelow Tea since December 1996, currently serving as its director of manufacturing. He also spent more than 20 years as an elected member of the Derby Board of Education, and has been the past chairman of the Bridgeport Regional Business Community Leadership for Great Bridgeport board of directors.
D-64TH — CHAIR, FINANCE COMMITTEE
Horn earned her B.A. from Princeton University in 1986 and attended the University of Chicago Law School, obtaining her J.D. in 1993. Before beginning her law career, Representative Horn worked in corporate finance at JP Morgan & Co. Her legal career included work as a law clerk for a federal judge, and the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, before joining the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Criminal Division. She was first elected in 2018. Rep. Horn was recently appointed to House Chair of the Finance Committee for the 2023 legislative session.
CONNECTICUT STATE DIRECTOR, NFIB
Markowski is the Connecticut state director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a non-profit organization that is the “voice of small business,” advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. He is also principal for the Statehouse Associates, LLC.
VICE PRESIDENT, MILLSTONE POWER STATION
After more than 20 years at Millstone Power Station, O’Connor is the current vice president, serving in key positions throughout his tenure. He has also been on Bozrah’s Board of Finance since November 1995, and is currently a board member for Mitchell College in New London.
CHAIRMAN, R.D. SCINTO, INC.
Scinto is the chairman of R.D. Scinto, Inc., one of the largest privately held Connecticut commercial real estate corporations — with 4.2 million square feet of space across 53 buildings. Born and raised in Bridgeport, he began his career as a plumber before founding his real estate company. He is also active in philanthropic ventures.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Wharton is the associate professor of political science and urban affairs at Southern Connecticut State University. He currently serves on the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and Tech & Learning (higher education advisory) boards, and he is also a frequent contributor for the tri-state NPR stations, ctnewsjunkie.com, and Hearst media.
D-29TH, CHAIR — INSURANCE & REAL ESTATE
Wood has served in the General Assembly since 2019, representing Rocky Hill and Wethersfield. She currently runs the Connecticut operations of a commercial real estate company, specializing in retail. Through her extensive experience in business, she seeks to bring innovative ideas to the Capitol to foster economic growth and attract new businesses.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONNECTICUT COUNCIL OF SMALL TOWNS
Gara is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST). In that capacity, she serves as the chief advocate for small towns at the state Capitol and before state agencies. Prior to her current position, Gara was a principal in a lobbying firm she founded, representing a wide range of clients on state legislative and regulatory issues, including COST. Prior to that, Betsy was an Associate Counsel at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), the state’s largest trade association.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - WESTCOG
Pickering directs WestCOG’s staff and represents the region to partners, including state and federal agencies. Prior to joining WestCOG, he served as Deputy Director at the Central Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (CCRPA). His work has been recognized with CCAPA’s Innovative Plan of the Year in 2013, and NADO’s Innovation Award in 2014, and CACT’s Friend of Public Transportation in 2019. Francis is also active in the development of major regional transportation initiatives and serves on the Connecticut Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Technical Committee.
FORMER HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, CONNECTICUT GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Themis Klarides served as the Republican leader of the Connecticut House of Representatives from 2014 to 2020, the first woman to hold the position. While in the legislature, she worked on a bipartisan budget that placed spending caps and budgetary reforms that are responsible for the budget surplus and rainy-day fund. She currently practices law at Marino, Zabel & Schellenberg, PLLC.
PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN THE TRAVELERS GARAGE, LOCATED NEXT TO THE CLUB ON PROSPECT ST. PLEASE NOTE THAT HEIGHT OF THE GARAGE IS 6' 5”.
When you arrive at the garage, please pull up to the gate and press the call button to announce that you are headed to The Hartford Club.
After parking, please head for the door across from the garage entrance, proceed up the flight of stairs and follow the walkway to the main entrance of the Travelers Building on Prospect Street. If you use the elevator on The Hartford Club level, please proceed up to the 1st Floor and walk across the courtyard to the main entrance of the building.
When exiting, please exit to the left of the main entrance closest to the gate and walk down the stairs. At the base of the stairs, you will need to press the red "Call" button to gain access to the garage. You can also exit through the elevator to the floor you parked on.
Want to showcase your business? Consider one of the following Sponsorship Levels, which includes ticket packages, or place an ad in our Conference Program.
Platinum Sponsor for $10,000
Seating for 16 people, Company name on all marketing materials, Company banners displayed throughout event, full-page ad in program, Company material on tables, announced at podium
Benefactor Sponsor for $5,000
Seating for 16 people, Company name on all marketing materials, Company banner displayed at event during lunch, full-page ad in program, announced at podium
Gold Sponsor for $2,500
Seating for eight people, full page ad in program, announced at podium
Yankee Institute Table for $1,250
Seating for eight people, ½ page ad in program
Good Turn Table for $1,000
Seating for eight people, ¼ page ad in program
Ad Opportunities in Conference Program:
Back outside cover - $1,500 – (5" x 8" – CMYK 300 dpi no bleed)
Back inside cover - $1,250 – (5" x 7.65" – CMYK 300 dpi no bleed)
Front inside cover - $1,250 – (5" x 7.65" – CMYK 300 dpi no bleed)
Full page ad - $750 – (5" x 7.65" – CMYK or B&W 300 dpi no bleed)
Half-page ad - $250 – (5" x 3.7" – CMYK or B&W 300 dpi no bleed)
¼-page ad - $100 – (2.375" x 3.8" – CMYK or B&W 300 dpi no bleed)
All ads are due. Should you have any questions, please contact Tim Anop, Donor Relations Manager at Tim@YankeeInstitute.org.