Riccards Out At ConnCAN, Alexander In

Patrick Riccards has left as CEO of the education reform group ConnCAN and has been replaced by Jennifer Alexander, a vice president with the group. She will serve as acting CEO.

ConnCAN is a business-backed advocacy group that emerged as a key supporter of many of Gov. Dannel Malloy’s education reform initiatives. Riccards led the group for just over a year. A ConnCAN press release said that Riccards is returning to his Virginia-based education consulting firm.

“Our mission is unchanged,” Alexander, a Connecticut native, said. “We need to make sure we continue to push for systemic and bold reform.”

She said ConnCAN will fight efforts to “dial back” reforms launched during the last year. She said she will also work on building new partnerships and coalitions. Alexander declined to comment on the reason for Riccards departure.

Riccards could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

ConnCAN stands for Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now.