Gov. Malloy Appoints Michael T. Long to Connecticut Airport Authority Board

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today appointed four people to the Connecticut Airport Authority and named the board’s chair. Appointed board members must have business and management experience and expertise in financial planning, budgeting and assessment, marketing, master planning, aviation, or transportation management.

“The Connecticut Airport Authority will oversee the operations of all of the state-owned airports, but particularly with regard to Bradley International Airport, it will help make it a part of the state’s overall economic development and growth strategy,” Malloy said. “Bradley Airport is centrally located, easily accessible and it could be a major economic driver in our state — if we approach its operations and management strategically. The CAA will free Bradley from the bureaucracy that has hamstrung the airport in the past and help to make it more attractive to new routes, new airlines and new ways to increase our state’s economic viability.”

Governor’s appointments to the CAA board:

Michael T. Long (Simsbury) — Long was chair of the Bradley International Airport Commission and most recently, vice chairman of the Bradley Board of Directors. Prior to his retirement in 2007, Long had been a director, president and general counsel of Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc., a manufacturing company specializing in explosives technology, reliable energetic solutions for aerospace and defense, biotechnology, renewable fuels and real estate.

Mary Ellen S. Jones (Chair, Glastonbury) — Jones is the president of the Engine Alliance, a 50-50  joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and GE, that manufactures and supports the GP7000 engine for the Airbus A380 aircraft. Previously, Jones headed Pratt & Whitney’s commercial engines and global services marketing organization, and worked for three years in Toulouse, France, directing Pratt & Whitney’s operations at Airbus headquarters.

Brett C. Browchuk (Avon) — Browchuk is the senior vice president, service operations at CIGNA Healthcare. In this capacity, he leads all service functions in support of more than 10.7 million CIGNA medical and dental customers. In addition, he heads CIGNA’s Corporate Real Estate and Procurement Operations. Prior to his time at CIGNA, Browchuk worked at Putnam Investments and Fidelity Management & Research Company.

Charles R. Gray (Stamford) — Gray is currently the senior regional manager for hosted solutions at NCR Corporation, which specializes in technology for the hospitality and retail industries. In this capacity, he leads client seminars focused on emerging technologies, data security and social media trends as well as managing client sales, implementation and support for the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Canada. Previously, Gray directed IT operations at several national hospitality corporations.

In addition to the Governor’s four appointments, the top four legislative leaders each appoint one member. The State Treasurer and Department of Transportation and Department of Economic and Community Development commissioners, or their designees, serve as ex officio members.