AdvanceCT Announces Leadership Transition

Peter Denious Announces He Will Step Down As CEO September 30

John Bourdeaux To Succeed Him

New Haven, Connecticut – July 6, 2023 – AdvanceCT announced today that Peter Denious will step down as CEO of AdvanceCT on September 30th and be succeeded by John Bourdeaux, AdvanceCT’s current President and Director of Business Development.

Denious was appointed President and CEO of AdvanceCT in August 2019, with the goal of transforming the nonprofit previously known as Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) into a business and economic development organization focused on bringing jobs and investment to Connecticut in close partnership with the Department of Economic and Community Development and AdvanceCT’s private sector business sponsors.

“I feel truly privileged to have led an organization that is making a real impact on the state of Connecticut. Of course, it would not have been possible without the support of Governor Lamont, DECD Commissioner Alexandra Daum, former commissioner David Lehman, as well as the AdvanceCT Board and more than 35 Members which joined AdvanceCT over the last four years,” said Peter Denious. “I am also really proud of the AdvanceCT team and all that we have accomplished over the last four years and excited to see John step into this role. This has been a difficult decision for me, but I know AdvanceCT is in great hands.”

“Peter is a strategic thinker and highly effective organizer for smooth execution of the timely renewal of focus of this organization. We are fortunate to have had him leading AdvanceCT for the last four years”, said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, AdvanceCT Board Co-Chair and Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies & Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management at Yale University, “and, like any good leader, he surrounded himself with an excellent team, including the inspiring, high-energy John Bourdeaux, who the Board unanimously approved as Peter’s prepared successor”.

“Peter’s competitive drive and passion for the state of Connecticut will be greatly missed,” added Margaret Keane, AdvanceCT Board Co-Chair and former Executive Chair and CEO of Synchrony Financial. “He has done an amazing job building AdvanceCT into a high-impact economic development organization that is really moving the needle in Connecticut.”

“I want to thank Peter for his four years of service and a job well done. AdvanceCT is working so effectively with both the state and the private sector, I give Peter a lot of credit for putting AdvanceCT and Connecticut back on the map,” said Governor Lamont. “I look forward to continuing the partnership with AdvanceCT under John Bourdeaux’s leadership.”

At its June 14th meeting, the AdvanceCT Board of Directors unanimously approved the leadership transition plan. Denious will officially step down on September 30, but remain as a part-time advisor through 2023.

About AdvanceCT

AdvanceCT is a business-driven nonprofit that works to engage, retain, and recruit businesses to Connecticut. AdvanceCT collaborates with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and our partners to implement high impact, equitable economic development. Our team advocates for and promotes Connecticut as a location for companies to compete and grow. www.advancect.org

Press Contact:

Shirar O’Connor

646-496-7668

soconnor@advancect.org