Connecticut Business Group Hired Three New Lobbyists
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association added three new members to its public policy team.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
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The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) has appointed three new lobbyists to its public policy team. These new hires will focus on advocacy efforts regarding issues impacting state employers.
Why it matters
These appointments aim to bolster the association's influence on state policy, specifically covering labor regulations, housing, and healthcare affordability. The team will represent the interests of Connecticut employers across multiple legislative portfolios.
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association added 3 lobbyists to its public policy team this October. The group will manage portfolios ranging from labor law and banking to healthcare and insurance.
The players
Connecticut Business & Industry Association
The CBIA is a major business advocacy group that represents the interests of employers across the state of Connecticut.
Jack DeOliveira
He is the former director of policy for the Yankee Institute and previously served 3.5 years as a burgess in Naugatuck.
Alannah Doheny
She previously worked as a campaign manager for state Representative Patricia Dillon.
James Rocco
He is a former staff attorney for the state Department of Consumer Protection.
The details
The new appointees include Jack DeOliveira as senior policy director, Alannah Doheny as policy director, and James Rocco as assistant counsel. They are tasked with advocating for Connecticut employers on key policy issues including energy, transportation, and consumer protection.
Timeline
Alannah Doheny began working as a campaign manager in May 2026.
Alannah Doheny concluded her campaign management role in August 2026.
CBIA announced the three new lobbyist appointments in October 2026.
Market Landscape
The expansion of the CBIA public policy team reflects a strategic move to address evolving regulatory pressures facing Connecticut employers. This alignment positions the association to more effectively lobby on diverse issues like labor laws and energy regulation against competing legislative interests.
The new appointments could lead to changes in state-level labor and healthcare regulations that directly affect the operations and costs of local businesses. Employers may see shifts in the association's stance on legislation related to banking and consumer protection in the coming legislative sessions.
The takeaway
Business advocacy groups often expand their policy teams to better manage complex legislative portfolios and regulatory challenges. Readers should monitor upcoming state legislative agendas to see how these new hires influence outcomes for Connecticut employers.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership shifts in our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hartford Business Journal.
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