Catherine Scangarella, who has over 25 years serving the state of New Jersey, 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, according to a Monday announcement. Scangarella will lead Connecticut’s efforts to work with existing corporate investors, helping them expand their operations in the state.
William Noonan has taken Scangarella’s place at Choose New Jersey as acting chief business development officer.
“Cathy is a seasoned economic development professional,” Peter Denious, CEO of AdvanceCT, said. “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.”
“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,” said John Bourdeaux, president of AdvanceCT.
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’s 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.
Scangarella has worked with six administrations. She served as deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim 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.
