CBIA BizCast

BizCast chats with Lynn Welding vice president Darius Kania about operations during the downturn in the aerospace sector, how to make positive change in the workplace, and why happy employees mean happy customers. Kania also discusses his latest business venture, specializing in waterjet cutting. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your su...

BizCast talks with Otis Elevator vice president of sales and marketing Robin Fiala about her career at the global company and how the company adjusted operations during the pandemic. Fiala also shares her top advice for young professional women in the industry. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If you have a story to tell,...

BizCast talks with Evo Design vice president Taylor Downes about being selected as the only Connecticut manufacturer and one of eight nationwide to produce NASA’s newly designed ventilator for coronavirus patients. Downes also discusses the application process and their partnership with another Connecticut manufacturer–Bio-Med Devices in Guilford–to produce the ventilator. Evo Design: https://www....

BizCast talks with InCord CEO and owner Meredith Shay about quickly shifting manufacturing production to hospital gowns and face masks for frontline workers. Shay also discusses what it’s like to be a millennial CEO, how she worked her way through the ranks, and the importance of mentorship. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support...

BizCast talks with EBP Supply Solutions senior vice president of sales Jack Ellison and chemical specialist Glenn Rasin about creating a safe workplace for employees and customers. Ellison and Rasin also discuss the differences between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing; and why the perception of safety is critical to gaining employee and customer confidence, as Connecticut gets closer to reop...

BizCast talks with CVS Health director of retail operations Amy Winchell about their drive-through coronavirus testing locations across Connecticut. Winchell discusses how CVS Health quickly ramped up their testing program, what it’s like to take the COVID-19 test in your car, and why getting involved in the fight against the pandemic was critical for the company and the communities they serve. Le...

BizCast chats with Hartford Courant reporter Alex Putterman about tracking Connecticut's coronavirus data and how the latest trends enabled the first phase of reopening. Putterman also discusses how Connecticut compares to other states, and how important safety measures are in slowing the spread of the virus and flattening the curve. Follow Alex Putterman on Twitter for daily updates: https://twit...

BizCast talks with Chapco president Brian Weinstein about donating face mask metal pieces to hundreds of producers across the country making homemade face masks. Weinstein also discusses two new projects the Chester manufacturer has launched and how continuous innovation is driving the company during the pandemic. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we...

BizCast chats with Toad's Place owner Brian Phelps about the future of the legendary epicenter of Connecticut live music. Phelps also discusses how he's supporting his employees through the federal loan program and what challenges the concert hall will likely face in the coming months. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your podcasts—we appreciate your support! If y...

BizCast chats with HABCO Industries CEO and president Brian Montanari about the Glastonbury aerospace manufacturer's recent implementation of an on-site, voluntary coronavirus testing program for employees. Montanari also discusses purchasing the tests, the process for testing employees, and in this era of "new normal," how he's kept the trust of employees during this difficult time. Watch the ful...

BizCast chats with Back East Brewing Company's co-founder Tony Karlowicz about a special new brew with profits supporting restaurant workers affected by the pandemic shutdown. Karlowicz also talks about the Bloomfield brewery's takeout can sales and their expanded tap room set to open when the restaurant shutdown is lifted. Please rate, review, and subscribe to the BizCast wherever you get your po...

BizCast talks with J. Timothy's co-owner Tim Adams about the decision to temporarily close the popular Plainville restaurant during the coronavirus pandemic. Adams shares his challenges navigating state and federal small business disaster relief programs, including the Paycheck Protection Program, and shares the restaurant's plans to offer takeout while awaiting a reopening order. Please rate, rev...

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 England...

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 ha...

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 yo...

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 ge...

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—...

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...

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 informa...

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 websi...

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. Plea...

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...

BizCast talks with Connecticut Bioscience Growth Council executive director Paul Pescatello. He shares the latest research on this new strain of coronavirus, what different treatments are being used to help patients recover, and the latest on vaccine development. Pescatello also discusses how the Connecticut's bioscience sector is working overtime to help find a cure and develop a vaccine for the...

BizCast talks with Southern Connecticut State University associate political science professor Jonathan Wharton. Wharton talks about the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on how government, business, and higher education runs. He also discusses why intergovernmental collaboration is critical during crises and what choices Connecticut will make during this economic downturn. Please rate, review, and subsc...

BizCast talks with Wepco Plastics' Amanda Wiriya in this edition of the podcast. Wiriya talks about the Middlefield company's pivot to making face shields for healthcare workers fighting COVID-19, which is expected to hit its peak in the next week. Wepco Plastics Twitter: https://twitter.com/WepcoPlastics Wepco Plastics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wepcoplastics/ Wepco Plastics LinkedIn: htt...