Biographies
Marissa Paslick Gillett is Chairman of Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Governor Ned Lamont nominated Gillett to begin serving on April 26, 2019, and her appointment was confirmed by both the House of Representatives and State Senate in the 2019 session of the Connecticut General Assembly.
Prior to her appointment, Gillett was the Vice President of External Relations for the
Energy Storage Association – the national trade association representing the energy storage industry. In that role, Gillett served on the association’s executive team, contributing to the organization’s overall strategic vision and direction, as well as providing leadership of the research, educational programming and events, marketing, and communications teams.
From 2011 to 2018, Gillett worked at the Maryland Public Service Commission, an independent agency within the Maryland state government that regulates public utilities, where she most recently served as the senior advisor to the chairman. Her duties included a number of matters on energy issues in the state, such as advising the agency’s chairman and other commissioners on technical, legal and policy matters related to offshore wind procurement, statewide energy efficiency programs, advanced metering infrastructure, grid reliability issues and electric vehicles. Additionally, she represented the commission on these topics by testifying before the Maryland General Assembly and by leading stakeholder engagement initiatives as part of the state’s grid modernization proceeding.
Gillett received a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in Baltimore, Maryland.
Michael Caron - Commissioner
Michael Caron is a Utility Commissioner of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Governor Dannel P. Malloy nominated Caron to serve on July 12, 2012. His appointment was confirmed by both the House of Representatives and State Senate in the 2013 session of the Connecticut General Assembly.
Prior to his appointment, Caron was the Director of Public Affairs – Global Sites for Pfizer, Inc. and an associate lobbyist for the lobbying and business development firm Camilliere, Cloud & Kennedy.
Caron previously served as a State Representative from the 44th District for nine terms (1991-2009) and Assistant Republican Leader for five terms (1999-2009). During his time as a member of the General Assembly, Caron served on the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, as Ranking Member of a number of legislative committees including the Transportation Bonding Sub-Committee. He was a member of the Energy and Technology Committee and was an ex officio member of the Connecticut State Bond Commission.
Caron introduced and worked for passage of the Fuel Cell Energy Tax credit and the High Performance Building legislation for state bonding projects.
Caron also headed Caron Strategy and Consulting, a public policy firm and worked in the financial services industry as Registered Investment Advisor.
Caron has been active with several community organizations, including: the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region Board of Directors and the Community Health Charities of New England where he served as Chairman of the Board. Additionally, he has served as the Vice-Chair of the United Mental Health Services Board of Directors and the Chair of the Northeast Economic Alliance Board of Directors.
Caron received his B.A. in History and a B.S. in Finance from Central Connecticut State University. He lives in West Hartford with his wife Maureen.
David Arconti - Commissioner
David Arconti is a Utility Commissioner of the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). Governor Ned Lamont nominated Arconti to begin serving in August of 2024. Arconti represented Danbury’s 109th district in the State House of Representatives from January 2013 to January 2023. During his tenure as a State Representative, he served in a number of leadership roles, including Vice Chair of the General Law Committee, Vice Chair of Environment Committee, Deputy Majority Leader and House co-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee. Arconti also served on the Public Health, Housing, Veterans and Military Affairs and Public Safety and Security committees. Arconti introduced and lead the passage of the Take Back Our Grid Act, Public Act 20-05, directing the Authority to initiate proceedings on performance-based regulation for utility companies.
Commissioner Arconti also comes to the Authority with experience in the utility sector, focusing on fuel cells, government relations, and community engagement.
Mr. Arconti holds a Bachelor of Science from Southern Connecticut State University and has been an active member of his community serving on the board of the the Danbury Police Activity League (PAL), the Meserve Memorial Fund, and the Danbury Athletics Hall of Fame.
