620 Grand Ave., New Haven

The former home of Olive Electric Co., located at 620 Grand Ave. in New Haven, has been sold to the New Haven Housing Authority.

According to officials, the Housing Authority plans to use the 18,000-square-foot building for offices and warehousing. The sale price was not disclosed. The listing agent was Bill Silverman and the selling agent was Fred Maretz, both of Woodbridge-based Levey Miller Maretz.

The seller was represented by attorney Thomas McKeon of Berkstein, Valpe & McKeon. The buyer was represented by attorney Rolan Young and attorney Richard Haskell III of Berchem, Moses & Devlin.

Rathgeber to Lead CBIA

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s board of directors recently announced the promotion of John R. Rathgeber to president and chief executive officer of CBIA, which is the state’s largest business organization, effective Jan. 1, 2006. The announcement was made at the board’s December meeting.

Rathgeber succeeds Kenneth O. Decko, who after 35 years with CBIA – 26 of them as president – announced his retirement last year.

“John has provided exceptional and dedicated leadership during the transition, which has been going on since Ken’s retirement announcement last year,” said John Klein, outgoing chairman of the CBIA board of directors and chairman, president and chief executive officer of Bridgeport-based People’s Bank. “The board felt it was time to make the transition final and put John in the top position, and lead the state’s business community into the new year,” said Klein.

“Having worked with John for many years, I am pleased that my final role as CBIA board chairman is to make this announcement and help move CBIA into a new era of leadership. I am confident that John and his team will continue their great work to help make businesses successful and competitive in Connecticut,” Klein added.

Rathgeber, who lives in Kensington, joined CBIA in 1977 as a staff attorney and has served in a number of positions for the organization. Last year, Rathgeber added the duties of chief operating officer to his executive vice president role, and has been in charge of CBIA’s overall operations including public policy, Service Corp. and administration. He also served as corporate secretary of CBIA, the association’s Service Corp. and the CBIA Education Foundation.

Rathgeber received a political science degree from Colgate University in 1972. He then earned his law degree with honors at Suffolk University Law School in 1976, and was admitted to the Connecticut Bar that same year. Rathgeber also has served on legislative and executive branch study committees on state tax policy, tort reform, campaign financing and the environment.

“This is a time of great change and challenges for Connecticut’s business community,” said Rathgeber. “I am looking forward to building on the legacy left by Ken and hope to play a significant and influential role in fostering innovative partnerships between state government and businesses to help meet the needs and challenges of Connecticut businesses in today’s global economy.”

CBIA’s new board chairman, Roger Joyce, who is vice president of engineering at The Bilco Co. in West Haven, said Rathgeber is the ideal person to take the business community to the next level.

“John has a wealth of experience, strong leadership skills and a clear strategic vision for CBIA and its members,” said Joyce. He has been instrumental in providing policies for the association. As the new board chairman, I look forward to working with John as we broaden and strengthen business objectives and shape Connecticut’s future.”