WALKER MEANS BUSINESS: CEOS SAY DAVE WALKER IS BEST CANDIDATE TO FIX CONNECTICUT Bridgeport, Connecticut Professional problem solver and turnaround specialist Dave Walker announced today the support of a number of prominent business leaders with various ties to Connecticut. These leaders understand what it takes to create jobs, put finances in order, and solve complex problems. They know how higher taxes and fees, over-regulation, budget deficits, and unfunded pension and health care obligations drive away businesses and jobs. They recognize that Dave Walker is the best candidate to fix Connecticut s budget problems and get the economy growing again. I m very grateful for the support of these prominent business leaders, Walker said. Connecticut has significant challenges, but I know that we can fix them. I have a plan to balance our budget, cut taxes, and fix the state s pension problem. We will get Connecticut growing again and bring businesses and jobs back to our great state. Business Leaders for Dave Walker: 1. William M. Raveis, Jr., Chairman and CEO, William Raveis Real Estate, Chairman, Dave Walker for Governor Executive Committee 2. J. Michael Cook, Emeritus Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte 3. Michael Critelli, and CEO of Pitney-Bowes 4. Beverlee Dacey, CEO, Amodex Products, Inc. 5. William B. Harrison, Jr., & CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co. 6. Rob Henrikson, and CEO of MetLife 7. Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, CEO, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and CEO American Institute of CPAs 8. John Myers, Retired Chairman and President, GE Asset Management 9. Bill Roberti, Former CEO of Brooks Brothers 10. Bob Scinto, Founder and CEO, R. D. Scinto, Inc 11. Sheila Weinberg, Founder and CEO of Truth in Accounting
William M. Raveis, Jr. Chairman and CEO, William Raveis Real Estate Chairman, Dave Walker for Governor Executive Committee For the last 30 years, the State of CT, which was one of the great states in America, has lost its luster and is on the edge of financial and structural disaster. All political parties are responsible for the mismanagement of our state. I have not been involved in endorsing a candidate for Connecticut Governor since I have been in business (44 years). However, we are at a crucial time in the state of CT. All financial indicators for the state are extremely negative, not to mention the rapid decrease in housing values over the last several years. Furthermore, we have over 30,000 people moving out of the state each year. I endorse Dave Walker. By far he is the best qualified candidate to ever run for the Governor in the state of Connecticut. If you love and believe in our state, which I do, we must turn things around. Name Title Endorsement J. Michael Cook Michael Critelli Emeritus Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte and CEO of Pitney-Bowes I have known and worked with Dave Walker for about 20 years, including when he served as Comptroller General of the United States and CEO of the GAO, and as Founder and CEO of the Comeback America Initiative (CAI). He and I are also co-inductees in the Accounting Hall of Fame. Dave is a bright, articulate, capable and results-oriented leader who made major transformational changes at GAO and engaged in a very successful national fiscal responsibility public education and engagement effort at CAI. He is uniquely qualified to lead a transformation and financial restructuring of the state of Connecticut. As a mailing industry leader, I worked closely with Dave Walker in his capacity as U.S. Comptroller General on comprehensive Postal Service reforms, and served on the Board of his Comeback America Initiative (CAI) for several years. He has four exceptional qualities this state desperately needs from its next Governor: A compelling turnaround plan for fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and growing trust and confidence in our state government; A history of, and commitment to, testing his ideas with a broad, bipartisan group of stakeholders,
Beverlee Dacey William B. Harrison, Jr. Rob Henrikson CEO, Amodex Products, Inc. & CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and CEO of MetLife including business and organized labor, something he routinely did at CAI; An in-depth understanding of all levels of government, as well as the ways in which all three branches of Connecticut state government can work together to address our fiscal and economic crises; and A relentless focus on enforcing the highest standards of ethics in government. There are over 4,000 manufacturers in Connecticut, many of them privately-held small businesses like mine. We ve struggled through the constraints of excessive regulations and taxation, stifling business growth and innovation. November 2018 s election offers us an opportunity to stop complaining, and take a positive step by supporting Dave Walker for Governor. Dave is the sole candidate whose expertise and track record speak directly to solving our state s fiscal and economic problems. I, like many other small business owners, firmly believe CT is at a crossroads. Let's ignite that spark of enthusiasm and can-do attitude that is our Yankee spirit, and support Dave Walker for Governor, revitalize Connecticut, and inspire others to bring their businesses and families back home. I moved my family to Connecticut in 1992 from New York City and enjoyed the beauty, the people, and the hope for a growing and prosperous economy. This has all changed - companies are leaving, people are leaving, and the fiscal and economic climate is declining every day. Dave Walker has the experience, knowledge, and leadership qualities that can fix those problems and restore economic growth. I support him and hope you will as well. I have known Dave Walker for over 30 years. Dave is the only person who has headed two of the three ERISA agencies in the federal government. We served on the American Benefits Council (ABC) Board together and have had a number of professional interactions over the years. Dave has significant pension and health care experience and expertise that would be invaluable in restructuring Connecticut's finances. Dave is a
Barry C. Melancon John Myers Bill Roberti CPA, CGMA CEO, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and CEO American Institute of CPAs Retired Chairman and President, GE Asset Management Former CEO of Brooks Brothers professional problem solver and change agent. He has the courage and the ability to make the tough choices needed to create a better future in Connecticut. Dave is a true professional of high integrity, with a highly successful track record as a leader in the private, public and non-profit sectors. He is a proven change agent his transformational reforms at GAO and within the accountability community, along with his efforts to promote fiscal responsibility in the U.S., exemplify his commitment to the need for reform and a new path forward. Dave Walker is the former Comptroller General of the U.S., a member of the AICPA and winner of its highest award, the Gold Medal. He is an inductee into the Accounting Hall of Fame and the Hall of Distinguished Practitioners for the Audit Profession. He also has a bedrock commitment to fiscal responsibility. Dave is a professional problem solver who speaks candidly, and will do what it takes to accomplish needed reforms. Connecticut would benefit with Dave Walker as its next Governor, and I encourage your support. I ve lived and raised my family in Connecticut for 40 years. I am also an experienced Investment professional who was once responsible for over $200 billion in investments. I remember when Connecticut was great and am saddened by the financial mess it is in today. Sophisticated executives and professionals will not make major investments in Connecticut until it puts its finances in order. Dave Walker is a professional problem solver and he has the leadership skills and experience to fix Connecticut s fiscal problems and restore economic growth. I support him and you should as well. As a former CEO of Brooks Brothers and several other large companies, who was born in Bridgeport and who lived in Connecticut for several years including my time at Brook Brothers, I am saddened to know that the Constitution State has gone from a leader to a laggard state over the past 30-years. When I returned to the state in 1987 Connecticut did not have a state income tax at
Bob Scinto Sheila Weinberg Founder and CEO, R. D. Scinto, Inc Founder and CEO of Truth in Accounting the time. I left for good in 2007 and returned to Florida because of looming financial situation in the state. I have known Dave Walker for a number of years and am very familiar with his diverse experience and successful track record. I believe strongly that Dave is the best person to turn around Connecticut and create a better future in the state. I started my business career as a plumber in Bridgeport and now I am a real estate developer in Fairfield Country. I also have four children and twelve grandchildren in this state and I am concerned about their future. Every month I have tenants coming me that have decided to leave the state or downsize within the state. I was one of the persons who recruited Dave Walker to run for Governor. He is a person of unquestioned ability and integrity. I believe that, given his unique background, he is the only person that can do what needs to be done to save our state from further decline. I have known Dave Walker for many years. He has been a leading and longstanding advocate for transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility at the federal, state and local level for years. He has unparalleled experience to restructure Connecticut's finances. His efforts as Governor will benefit Connecticut and can be a model to help other troubled states, including Illinois.