Windsor chamber hires native of town
Gutcheon returns to serve as the executive director
WINDSOR — Adam Gutcheon is the first new executive director of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce in 20 years, replacing Jane Garibay, who was recently elected to represent the 60th House District.
Gutcheon, 37, was born and raised in Windsor, attended and then left the local school system, and eventually was elected to two terms on the Windsor Board of Education and received a college degree. He left Windsor about eight years ago to work for the Democratic National Committee before going out on his own, working in the information technology and data analysis fields.
Gutcheon, who started the job this month, is living in the Windsor Station apartments with his dog, Rhea and cat, Spot. He said that during the last few years he had become concerned with the collection of data to gather information on individuals and how it is being used. He was also being worn down by the culture war arguments that are constant in the Beltway.
“My energy was sapped,” he said. “It was really hard to get motivated.”
Coming home
Around the same time, Gutcheon, who still kept tabs on what was going on in Windsor through media outlets on line, saw that Garibay was running for office and planning to leave the chamber if she was elected. Then she won and the two had a conversation in which she told Gutcheon the job would be a good fit for him.
Initially, Gutcheon thought it wasn’t because he didn’t have relevant experience and other factors, including his view that “Connecticut is intractable.”
But then he started to reconsider, looking back on his own experiences in leadership and management and another factor: an irrational devotion to his hometown.
“This was an opportunity to reconnect with the community I’ve always loved,” Gutcheon said.
Another attraction was the chamber’s and its members’ commitment to community service through a variety of initiatives designed to help those in need.
“I wouldn’t have taken this job if it was a normal chamber of commerce,” he said. “I like the community focus.”
Garibay, who will begin her first term as a state representative for the district that includes Windsor and Windsor Locks in January, said she is confident that Gutcheon has the experience, passion, energy, dedication and common sense to move the chamber forward.
She also offered him a piece of advice. “I mentioned to know his members and listen to them to understand their needs,” she said. “Adam is a good listener.”
Making a mark
Gutcheon said he is planning to use his experience in data gathering to help the chamber identify trends that can be helpful to attracting new businesses and helping existing members.
He said he also would like to get involved in public policy.
But first he is going to take Garibay’s advice and get to know his constituents before deciding on any other initiatives.
“I want to make sure all of Windsor feels it’s represented,” he said.