CONNSTEP Announces New Executive Hire

October 6, 2024
Man with short brown hair, smiling, wearing a white button-down shirt.

By: Amanda Beaulieu

 

CONNSTEP is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick Mullins as Director of Service Delivery, effective October 7, 2024.

 

In this role, Rick will lead the delivery of grants, projects, and training programs. He will create and implement program strategies for service delivery and direct a team of consultants responsible for delivering cybersecurity, continuous improvement, quality, energy and sustainability, workforce development, environment health & safety, and advanced technology solutions to CONNSTEP’s clients.

 

“I’m delighted to have Rick join CONNSTEP’s leadership team,” said Beatriz Gutierrez, CONNSTEP President and CEO.

 

“Rick’s extensive professional experience and strong commitment to supporting Connecticut’s manufacturing ecosystem will be a great asset for our organization.”

 

Rick has been a driving force in the business community, with local and global impacts for many years. His experience spans public and private higher education and other nonprofit sectors.

 

He has a wealth of experience in advanced technology, aerospace manufacturing, defense, financial services, and healthcare markets. An enthusiastic and passionate leader, Rick’s innovative ideas yield significant results in strategy implementation and investor relations.

 

“I am thrilled to join CONNSTEP and collaborate with the team to further support and strengthen our manufacturing community,” said Mullins.

 

“I look forward to building relationships with our clients and delivering solutions that drive customer success.”

 

Rick has diverse functional expertise in business development, workforce development, operations, supply chain management, business incubation, productivity, process improvement, and risk management.

 

“Rick has long been a champion for small and medium-sized manufacturers,” said CBIA President and CEO Chris DiPentima.

 

“His background, network, and understanding of Connecticut manufacturing will be a great addition in supporting CONNSTEP’s mission and Connecticut’s manufacturers.”

 

Rick’s commitment to community involvement is evident through his active participation in various local organizations and networking affiliates. He served as a past president of the Boys & Girls Club of New Britain. Inc. Board of Directors. In addition, he has been recognized for his distinguished work within the community.

 

CONNSTEP looks forward to the many positive contributions Rick will make in this new role. We are confident that Rick will provide significant value to our customers.

Meet the CONNSTEP Team Here

Our multi-disciplinary team of experts takes a holistic approach by leveraging industry knowledge to offer tailored services for success.

Check out our "About Us" page here. CONNSTEP has become one of the top MEP centers in the network by supporting the evolution of Connecticut’s manufacturers to be the most resilient, reliable, innovative, and productive in the nation.

Do you know what CONNSTEP stands for? View this video to find out!

Recent Posts

April 29, 2026
Phoenix Manufacturing, Inc., founded in 1989, is a privately held family-operated small business in Enfield, Connecticut, specializing in precision machining for the aerospace industry. What began as a two-person operation in a 2,000-square-foot building has grown into a company with over 100 employees operating out of a 114,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. As a contract manufacturer, Phoenix specializes in complex, tight-tolerance components, supported by more than 40 CNC machines and a multi-axis mill/turn line. The company provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions—from engineering consultation through full-scale production—serving commercial aviation, spaceflight, and defense markets for both domestic and global customers, including leading aerospace and defense OEMs. A defining element of Phoenix’s growth has been its strategic investment in advanced manufacturing technology, particularly palletized machining centers. Since 2017, the company has added 11 machining centers integrated with palletized systems, enabling unattended, automated production and significantly expanding machining capacity. This automation journey has positioned Phoenix to better meet increasing customer demand while maximizing machine utilization. Phoenix’s commitment to quality is central to its operations and customer relationships. Managing more than 600 active part numbers, the company strives for 0 parts per million (PPM) defects and 99% on-time delivery (OTD) for major OEM customers. Its quality management system is certified to ISO 9001 and AS9100 Rev D standards, and Phoenix also holds NADCAP certifications in Nonconventional Machining and Nondestructive Testing, reflecting a rigorous, inspection-driven approach to delivering consistent, high-quality results.  Guided by a mission to deliver high-quality, cost-effective products through advanced technology and an uncompromising commitment to quality, Phoenix continues to invest in innovation, automation, and the next generation of manufacturing leadership.
April 28, 2026
Founded in 1959, Projects Inc. is a Glastonbury, Connecticut-based manufacturer specializing in precision-machined components for aerospace, industrial, and commercial applications. With 102 employees, the company operates out of 66,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space and supports customers across a range of industries, including aerospace and power generation. Projects Inc. has deep roots in the aerospace industry, where it has provided high-quality machining services for decades. Since 1996, the company has supplied FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) components to the aviation sector. Projects Inc. received FAA Repair Station Certification in 1984. As a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, Projects supports customers with repair solutions that help keep critical aerospace equipment operating safely and efficiently. Its customer base includes major aerospace companies such as Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, and GE Aerospace, along with airlines including United, Delta, American, and Lufthansa. Projects Inc. is Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – approved. The company is also AS9100D and ISO 9001: 2015-certified, reflecting its commitment to quality, consistency, and industry standards. With capabilities that include prototyping, CNC machining, EDM, laser cutting, and grinding, Projects Inc. offers a broad range of precision manufacturing services supported by advanced in-house equipment and technical expertise. Today, Projects Inc. is recognized as an experienced supplier of high-quality components, with a long-standing focus on quality, reliability, and customer service.
Penn Globe logo over a room with people, possibly a conference.
February 11, 2026
Learn how Penn Globe partnered with CONNSTEP to invest in employee training, strengthen skills, and support business growth and competitiveness.
Logo of Specialty Cable Corporation (SCC) in a warehouse setting.
February 10, 2026
See how Specialty Cable Manufacturers partnered with CONNSTEP to strengthen quality systems and successfully achieve AS9100 recertification.
People in a factory setting, with the Forum Contract Manufacturing logo in the foreground.
February 9, 2026
Learn how Forum Plastics partnered with CONNSTEP to invest in supervisory training, strengthen leadership skills, and support long-term growth.
Logo of the letter
February 8, 2026
See how a Connecticut printing company partnered with CONNSTEP to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and advance environmental sustainability.
Beekley Medical logo with text
February 7, 2026
Learn how a medical products manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to strengthen quality systems and achieve successful recertification.
Pursuit Aerospace logo over a blurred medical equipment background. The logo is white text on a black rectangular box.
February 6, 2026
See how an aerospace manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to conduct an internal quality audit and get back on track to compliance.
Woman in lab setting, logo overlay of Syn-Mar Products Inc., blue and white color scheme.
February 5, 2026
Learn how a home bathroom remodeling manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to use lean training to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Logo for Wild CNC Machining Services on a blue background.
February 4, 2026
See how a manufacturer partnered with CONNSTEP to update HR policies, strengthen people practices, and support future business growth.
Show More