Name: Kevin Gravel
Title: Director of Compute Services
Department of Administrative Services DAS/BITS
Office: 450 Columbus Ave
1. Can you share your current role and key responsibilities within the State of Connecticut?
Director of Compute Services – I lead the Compute Services department under DAS/BITS, which comprises 6 main areas. Platform Services Team (servers, storage, DR, and backup), Database Services (maintenance and support for all data behind our applications), Directory Services (system IDs and how we access everything digital across the state), Cloud Engineering (platforms and applications off-prem), AppHosting/DevOps (operational support, change and release management for our most critical applications), and Mainframe Services (legacy systems still running many of our most essential functions, such as benefits and tax processing).
2. What motivated you to pursue a career with the State of Connecticut, and what has been your journey here?
During my interview with Mark Raymond, he asked me why I wanted to work in government. My answer at the time was simple — "I'm looking for a new challenge." He pushed back: "You can walk down the streets of Hartford and find those all day long — why government?" I didn't have a great answer then. I do now. What I've come to realize is that state government has a completely different kind of workforce — people who are here because they're dedicated to a cause, committed to serving a purpose, and driven to make things better. I didn't fully grasp how critical that work was until I got to know the people doing it. Now I see it every day, and I'm directly connected to it. There's something amazing about being in a position to provide something that helps so many people, and to do that work alongside others who are just as committed to the same mission.
3. What achievements at the State of Connecticut are you most proud of, and what impact have they had?
One of my proudest achievements has been my role on the leadership team driving IT Optimization — the statewide effort to consolidate agency IT functions under one centralized department, DAS/BITS. It's been a multi-year journey, and what I'm most proud of is that we did it with intention — protecting the integrity of our teams, making sure we didn't lose anyone along the way, and building a culture where people at every level felt included and genuinely wanted to be part of something big — all while still delivering real cost savings, modernized platforms, and a simpler experience for citizens and agencies alike.
4. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of your work, and how do they enrich your life?
My real hobby is my family (married with 4 kids) - the time we spend together in the kitchen and backyard is what I look forward to most. I happen to be a classically trained chef, a graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and I spent years traveling as an Executive Chef at private country clubs across the nation, hosting large-scale events like PGA Tours and US Opens. These days, that training just means family time turns into jelly and jam making, pickling, homemade pastrami, backyard pizzas, hibachi on the Blackstone, or smashed burgers. We're all a little crazy — willing to try anything once — and that's what makes it fun.
5. Could you share a memorable travel experience and what made that destination special for you?
With a family of six, big travel was never really in the cards for us, so camping became our thing — whether it was a weekend away or a full week at a camping resort. My kids loved the freedom of being outdoors, and honestly, we cooked like we had a gourmet kitchen out there. We'd get creative around the fire — Reese's peanut butter cup s'mores, mountain pies stuffed with anything and everything, from shepherd's pie to pepperoni pizza to blueberry tart. That's what made it special — not the destination, but the freedom, the food, and being together.
6. What advice would you give to someone considering a career with the State of Connecticut?
My advice: come in looking for more than just a job. State government gives you the opportunity to work alongside people who are genuinely dedicated to making things better — people who are directly connected to the impact of their work and who feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves. If you're looking for that kind of purpose, this is a great place to find it.
7. What’s your favorite spot in Connecticut, and what makes it special to you?
Honestly, my backyard. Between the grill, the smoker, the Blackstone, the pizza oven, the fire pit, and the pool, it's where my family spends most of our time together — and where most of our best fond (food 😉) memories happen.
8. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it to make a difference?
Teleportation, hands down. With a family of six and a job that never really stops, being able to be everywhere I needed to be — instantly — would be a game changer.
9. Who is the person you admire, and what qualities do they possess that inspire you?
Honestly, this feels more like a "who would you want to have dinner with" question to me — and for that, it's Julia Child. I admire her bravery to do what she did, especially in a time when it wasn't easy, along with her determination and focus. My cooking background is probably what introduced me to who she is, but that's not the only connection — she just seems like someone I'd genuinely connect with, outgoing, personal, fun to be around, and someone who happens to share similar interests.
"Bon appétit!" Julia Child
10. What’s an interesting or fun fact?
Fun fact: I've cooked for prime ministers, presidents, pro athletes, and more, but my favorite encounter with any celebrity was my time with golfer Paul Azinger. One night while working at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, OK, he walked into the kitchen with a photographer and asked to have his picture taken with the entire staff, just so he'd remember who made it all happen. Years later, I ran into him again at TPC River Highlands — he walked into the kitchen late in the afternoon just to ask for a cookie. He was truly a great man, with a humble appreciation for everyone around him.
