Scangarella Leaves Choose NJ to Join Connecticut’s Economic Development Team

On Jan 9, 2023

Catherine (Cathy) Scangarella, who has served the state of New Jersey for more than 25 years, most recently as Choose New Jersey’s chief business development officer, has joined New Haven, Connecticut-based AdvanceCT as executive vice president of business retention and expansion. She will lead Connecticut’s efforts to work with existing corporate investors, helping them expand their operations in the state.

“Cathy is a seasoned economic development professional,” said Peter Denious, CEO of AdvanceCT. “AdvanceCT is lucky to have her lead our business retention and expansion efforts. We have a deep bench here on Team Connecticut, and Cathy’s experience is going to add even more depth to the group of professionals we have helping us promote the state.”

“Cathy has over 25 years of experience serving the state of New Jersey,” said John Bourdeaux, president of AdvanceCT. “We are looking forward to leveraging her expertise and experience for the state. She is going to be an integral part of the AdvanceCT management team as well as the lead on our work to assist Connecticut companies with their expansion plans.”

“Connecticut has a strong value proposition that is led by the extraordinary talent and the highly educated workforce that can be found here,” added Denious, “Cathy is going to help us tell the Connecticut story and be a valuable asset as we connect with companies looking to deepen their roots in our state.”

At Choose New Jersey, Scangarella led the business development team and oversaw the organization’s national and international lead generation, prospect management and business development strategy for all key industries. She also oversaw Choose New Jersey India and Europe offices and enhanced New Jersey’s relationships with key multipliers and trade associations around the globe. She had a leading role in the strategic planning of Choose New Jersey’s business attraction missions to Israel, Germany, Ireland and India. While abroad, she helped established international university collaborations and industry partnerships for many of New Jersey’s research universities including Rutgers University, Princeton University, New Jersey City University and Rowan University.

In New Jersey, Scangarella has worked with six administrations. She served as deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Lt. Governor Guadagno, director of state marketing at the New Jersey Business Action Center, director of outreach programs for business retention & attraction at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and vice president of marketing & communications for the New Jersey Commerce Commission.

William Noonan has taken Scangarella’s place at Choose New Jersey as acting chief business development officer.

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