City names new Chamber of Commerce chairman

Anthony Vallillo is no stranger to challenges. As vice president of client services, he steered United Illuminating (UI) through five of the electric company's most tumultuous years and helped it prepare for the electric deregulation of the state. But what lies ahead may be an even greater challenge. On Wed., Apr. 21, Vallilo took over as the new chair of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. His task: to lead the city's business community into the 21st century.

The first and foremost challenge facing Vallillo is the Long Wharf Mall controversy. Despite staunch opposition from the owners of malls in the surrounding area as well as the Downtown Alliance, an organization of downtown shop owners, Vallillo is optimistic that the mall will bring long-term benefits to New Haven. "The mall is very good for New Haven. It will generate jobs and tax revenue for the city, and provide an outlet for people to go shopping."

However, Vallillo is not oblivious to the fierce opposition to the mall. "Owners of existing malls oppose the development of the Long Wharf Mall," he said. "However, they have to realize that this is a competitive world."

Another major item on Vallillo's agenda is bolstering the thriving biotechnology industry in New Haven. "Because of our location in relation to the research institutions on the Northeast corridor, especially Yale, we have great resources to build a good base for the biotechnology industry."

Kevin Rakin, executive vice president of Genaissance Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company in Science Park, agreed with Vallillo's assessment. "About 80 percent to 90 percent of the biotechnology companies of Connecticut are in New Haven," Rakin said. "The Chamber of Commerce has done a very good job of providing an environment conducive to the growth of the industry in New Haven." But Rakin still wants the Chamber to do more to help the industry. "The Chamber of Commerce should try to bring in more companies from outside New Haven. This will help the industry to develop further."

Based on his business experience, Vallillo thinks that the biotechnology industry in New Haven would be better served by an inward-looking approach toward development. "We are not specifically trying to attract companies from outside New Haven," he said. "We will try to grow local companies and begin new ones."

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