The CONNSTEP Team

Your business will benefit from the expertise and knowledge that the experienced team at CONNSTEP brings to your organization and its employees. We’re dedicated to helping Connecticut’s manufacturing and business community successfully thrive in a competitive environment.

Leadership

  • Beatriz Gutierrez

    Beatriz Gutierrez

    President & CEO
    Beatriz leads the development and execution of CONNSTEP’s strategic plan, supporting Connecticut manufacturers...
    Read more
  • Matt Howe

    Matt Howe

    Director, Sales & Marketing
    Matt leads CONNSTEP’s sales and marketing teams, working across market segments to ensure our business...
    Read more
  • Jeff Orszak

    Jeff Orszak

    Director, Strategic Growth & Technology
    Jeff assists Connecticut companies with innovation and product development. He is responsible for coaching...
    Read more
  • Mike Stimson

    Mike Stimson

    Director, Strategic Engagement & Process
    Mike manages the continuous improvement and quality delivery teams to ensure the delivery of impactful...
    Read more
  • Robert Blakey

    Robert Blakey

    Controller
    Robert manages all areas of accounting at CONNSTEP and is responsible for financial planning, compliance,...
    Read more

Regional Managers

  • Bob Allard

    Bob Allard

    Regional Manager
    Bob Allard is responsible for account management and business development for the Southern Connecticut...
    Read more
  • Burr Brown

    Burr Brown

    Regional Manager
    Burr Brown is responsible for account management and business development for the Southwest Region of...
    Read more
  • Carol Grosso

    Carol Grosso

    Regional Manager
    Carol is responsible for account management and business development for the Northwest region of Connecticut...
    Read more
  • EJ Howard

    EJ Howard

    Regional Manager
    EJ Howard is responsible for the account management and business development for the Eastern region of...
    Read more
  • Kathleen Milazzo Swahn

    Kathleen Milazzo Swahn

    Regional Manager
    Kathleen is responsible for account management and business development for the greater Hartford region...
    Read more

Consultants

  • Bill Horowitz

    Bill Horowitz

    Business Growth
    Bill works with manufacturers and other businesses to analyze and assess their current state, engaging...
    Read more
  • Jack Crane

    Jack Crane

    Senior Advisor
    Jack provides manufacturers with guidance and mentoring in strategic planning, marketing, new product...
    Read more
  • Franl Murphy

    Matin Karbassioon

    Continuous Improvement
    Matin provides consulting, training, facilitation, and mentoring to manufacturers, healthcare institutions,...
    Read more
  • Frank Murphy

    Frank Murphy

    Continuous Improvement
    Frank provides consulting, training, facilitation, and mentoring to Connecticut manufacturers and service...
    Read more
  • Carissa Roman

    Carissa Roman

    Continuous Improvement
    Carissa provides consulting, training, facilitation, and mentoring to Connecticut manufacturers and service...
    Read more
  • John Granatelli

    John Granatelli

    Cybersecurity
    John provides support both internally and externally, helping CONNSTEP and its clients identify, understand,...
    Read more
  • Anna Mumford

    Anna Mumford

    Cybersecurity
    Anna provides cybersecurity assessments, conducts risk analyses and performs compliance reviews with...
    Read more
  • Mike Varney

    Mike Varney

    Quality Management
    Mike offers CONNSTEP’s Quality Management Services to small- to mid-sized manufacturers.
    Read more
  • Erik Fogleman

    Erik Fogleman

    Technology
    Erik provides a broad technical and market understanding of automation and Industry 4.0 products and...
    Read more