Gov. Dannel Malloy is naming a U.S. Army reservist and ethics officer for Pratt and Whitney to oversee Connecticut's Department of Veterans Affairs. He was expected to announce the appointment of Sean Connolly on Thursday afternoon.Connolly lives in Connecticut serving with the 655th Regional Support Group, headquartered at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts. He currently works at Pratt & Whitney as the global ethics and compliance officer. An attorney, Connolly previously served more than seven years of active duty as an Army Judge Advocate in a variety of positions.
A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was a prosecutor at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and in Kuwait and Iraq.
Connolly succeeds longtime commissioner Linda Schwartz, who is now working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released this statement after the appointment was announced.
“Lt. Colonel Connolly’s distinguished record both in service to our nation and in the private sector promises to make him a valuable and effective leader in a critically important job,” Blumenthal. “His experience as a teacher and attorney will stand him in good stead as he seeks to meet the diverse needs of our returning heroes. As ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I look forward to working closely with Commissioner Connolly as we strive to ensure that all veterans in Connecticut and nationwide receive the support and services they need and deserve. My gratitude goes out to Interim Commissioner Joe Perkins for his hard work and dedication on behalf of all Connecticut veterans.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
