Brian Flaherty tapped to head CBIA’s policy arm
Brian Flaherty is the Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s new senior vice president in charge of public policy.
Flaherty was most recently vice president for public policy and external affairs at Stamford-based Nestlé Waters North America, a division of Nestlé Inc., where he oversaw the company”™s government relations, sustainability and “stakeholder engagement activities.”
Prior to joining Nestlé, Flaherty was an eight-term member of the Connecticut House of Representatives as a Republican representing the 68th District, encompassing Watertown, Middlebury and Woodbury. He served five of those terms as deputy House minority leader.
The CBIA in a statement said Flaherty brings “his years of government affairs and legislative experience to his newest role as senior vice president, public policy for the state”™s largest business organization.”
“We”™re incredibly pleased to have Brian join our team,” said Joseph Brennan, president and CEO of the CBIA. “He brings energy, experience and terrific perspective and will play an invaluable role as we address the challenges facing our member companies and the state’s economy.
“Brian is well-respected in the business and political communities, having served both in corporate government affairs and as a state representative from his hometown, and his expertise will help CBIA in our efforts to make Connecticut a better place to do business.”
In leading CBIA”™s public policy division, Flaherty will have responsibility for the association”™s government affairs, grassroots efforts, research and communications operations.
“I am excited by the opportunity to join the CBIA team,” Flaherty said. “One of the things that attracted me to this job was the organization”™s involvement with the CT20x17 campaign. I’m very much looking forward to working together to tackle the issues impacting our state”™s ability to compete and grow.”
The CT20x17 campaign seeks to make Connecticut a top 20 economically competitive state by 2017.