Press Releases
07/02/2018
Gov. Malloy Appoints Tony Sheridan as Chair of the Connecticut Airport Authority
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is appointing Thomas A. (Tony) Sheridan of Waterford to serve as chair of the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) Board of Directors.
The CAA was established through legislation introduced by Governor Malloy in 2011 to develop, improve, and operate Bradley International Airport and the state’s five general aviation airports (Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, and Windham) with a goal of making them more attractive to new airlines, develop more routes, and support the state’s overall economic development and growth strategy. It is led by an 11-member, volunteer Board of Directors, who have a broad spectrum of experience in aviation-related and other industries.
“We created the Connecticut Airport Authority several years ago specifically for the purpose of ensuring that the economic development potential of our state’s airports are being realized to their fullest extent and are being used as drivers that attract businesses and increase job growth,” Governor Malloy said. “Tony Sheridan works every day with the business community to help improve growth and development – appointing him to serve as chairman of the Connecticut Airport Authority’s Board of Directors is a natural fit. I am confident that his experience and leadership capabilities will further the impressive efforts that the group has managed since its founding.”
The Governor noted that Bradley International Airport – the second largest airport in New England – marked its fifth consecutive year of year-over-year passenger growth in 2017 and was rated as the fifth best airport in the nation by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards. Over the last couple of years, the airport added a number of nonstop routes to several international and domestic major hubs, further extending opportunities for business connections.
“I want to thank Governor Malloy for the confidence expressed in me through this appointment,” Sheridan said. “His forward thinking to create the Connecticut Airport Authority provides a mechanism for engaging the business community in the management of the state’s airports. This decision will continue to pay dividends for Connecticut residents and the traveling public well into the future. I am committed to continuing the excellent work presently underway by the authority and the executive director, Kevin Dillon.”
Sheridan currently serves as President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, a position that he has held since 2002. In this capacity, he has been responsible for leading the regional chamber organization in its efforts to represent the business community and enhance the economic vitality of eastern Connecticut. Previously, he served as first selectman of Waterford, was a human resources director at Connecticut College in New London, worked as a consultant with Northeast Utilities, and was a manager of community relations at the Millstone nuclear power complex.
Early in his career, he served as an apprentice in Local 305 of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters and become a licensed plumber and pipe fitter. He has a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College and holds a master’s degree from the University of New Haven.
Sheridan will succeed Charles R. Gray, whose term as the CAA board chairman ended on June 30.
“I also want to express my gratitude to Charles Gray for the leadership and guidance that he has given at the Airport Authority over the last several years,” Governor Malloy said. “Through his work with the authority’s outstanding team, he has helped put our state’s airports on a path to continued growth that is delivering very tangible results.”
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