(HARTFORD, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announces new leadership for the Bureau of Regulatory Services with the hiring of Alexander Duffy, CCA as Bureau Director and promotion of James Allyn to Assistant Bureau Director.
As the Director of Regulatory Services, Duffy (pictured right) will be responsible for leading critical programs which monitor and protect the health and safety of
agriculture products, businesses, and domestic animals. He brings to the agency a wealth of knowledge with a strong background specializing in bioactive molecules, plant extracts, human and fulvic acid fertilizer products. As the former Director of Agronomy and Product Development at Timac Agro USA, Duffy oversaw management of all research and third-party trials for product development, developed national technical training programs, handled all regulatory information, led and supported the product development team in field trials, as well as development of marketing and outreach strategy.
Duffy graduated from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Science and has a Master of Science in Biology focused on Ecology and Environmental Science from Rutgers University in Camden, NJ.
James Allyn (pictured left) has been promoted to Assistant Bureau Director, having been with the agency for 20 years as an 
Agricultural Marketing & Inspection Representative. He previously led the dairy division in conducting numerous inspections and trainings. In this new role he will be accountable for assisting the bureau director in leading staff and bureau operations Through his experience at USDA APHIS, and as a production manager, Allyn brings a strong commitment to Connecticut agriculture, the agency, and staff. He looks forward to this new role in his career and the opportunity to continue supporting the bureau from a management perspective.
“Alex and Jim bring a depth of knowledge and background to their respective roles with complementary leadership styles focused on a culture of teamwork to support staff in the important work they do on a daily basis,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “We are confident that their combined talents will provide the necessary guidance to respond to a complex range of programs that we will be facing today and tomorrow in the realm of animal health and our regulatory programs.”
Duffy and Allyn replace two well-respected members of CT DoAg’s senior staff, Dr. Bruce Sherman, and Wayne Kasacek. Kasacek transitioned from Assistant Bureau Director to Bureau Director following Dr. Sherman’s retirement in 2021. Kasacek retired earlier in 2023. DoAg expresses their immense appreciation to both for their years of service, as well as Director of Operations Nathan Wilson for stepping in as Acting Bureau Director during the interim.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state's economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.
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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Contact: Rebecca Eddy, 860-573-0323, Rebecca.Eddy@ct.gov
