CRDA Seeks Executive Director; Whither Abromaitis?

The new Capital Region Development Authority is recruiting an executive director, a decision made at the authority’s first meeting two weeks ago.

The search, which the authority is expected to formally announce either later today or tomorrow, raises questions about the future of James Abromaitis, who now serves as executive director of the Capital City Economic Development Authority. The CRDA has replaced CCEDA.

Abromaitis

Suzanne Hopgood, the authority’s chairwoman, told me the decision to conduct a search for an executive director does not reflect on the job done by either Abromaitis or CCEDA.

“The job is dramatically different from the former job,” Hopgood said. “What CCEDA accomplished was significant. They did a terrific job.”

Hopgood said CCEDA focused on the specific development projects in downtown Hartford, such as the convention center and Front Street. The new authority has a much broader focus, including the creation of 3,000 housing units in the Hartford area. moving state office workers downtown and the development of tourism initiatives.

The salary range for the position is $150,000 to $225,ooo.

Hopgood said Abromaitis has not said if he intends to apply for the post. He did not immediately respond to a call for comment from my colleague Jenna Carlesso.

Abromaitis formerly headed the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development and was a UConn basketball star in the late 1970s.

A job listing has already attracted about 80 applications in the last week, Hopgood told me.

According to the listing: candidates must have “the vision and skills to motivate a lead its board and staff to produce high quality results in a timely manner. A successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong management experience, a willingness to collaborate with a variety of vendors and clients and the ability to set priorities and deliver results on time.”

See the job posting here.

The authority has a $30 million annual budget.