Economic
Development Coordinator
Joe Seacrist

Joe Seacrist is Watertown's new
part-time economic development coordinator. He can be reached at
860-945-4858 e-mail:
seacrist@watertownct.org

The Following is an Article from the Watertown Town Times newspaper the week of Mr. Seacrist's appointment:

A 21-year Watertown resident, former employee of Northeast Utilities and member of the Board of Directors of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce, Joe Seacrist said that as the town's new part-time economic coordinator, he is "100 percent for Watertown."

Mr. Seacrist was hired by the town last week and started his first day on Monday, October 30, meeting during the evening with Town Manager Chuck Frigon and making "countless phone calls" to renew his business contacts.

"It's very exciting," said Mr. Seacrist. "I love business and business people."

Mr. Seacrist said that the town has very active boards and commissions, which should help attract business, and numerous prospects due to a favorable location on Route 8 near Interstate 84.

"This town has a lot to offer," said Mr. Seacrist. "The thing I've always noted about Watertown is its potential for business."

Mr. Seacrist said that his first priority for finding business will be to find those "who want to come to Watertown," and it will be the job of commissions like the Economic Development Committee and the Planning & Zoning Committee to decide whether those businesses will be a good fit for Watertown.

"That's the democratic process," Mr. Seacrist said.

Mr. Seacrist said it is also a priority to help Watertown retain its current businesses. "If there's anything the town can do to help businesses stay open, I would love for them to give me a call," said Mr. Seacrist.

Stating that since it is difficult for volunteers such as the EDC members to find time to really work with and attract local businesses, his position as economic development coordinator will give business a "focus person" to contact, a "person to help them find their way through the red tape.

"He has a very impressive background and a grassroots feel for the Watertown community," said Mr. Frigon. "He knows most, if not all, of Watertown's business."

Mr. Frigon said that he, Mr. Seacrist and EDC Chairman Joe McGrail have "done a lot of brainstorming" about ways to retain business and bring in new businesses.

"I'm thrilled to have someone on board, and based on Mr. Seacrist's experience, he should be able to quickly jumpstart our whole economic development process," said Mr. McGrail.

Mr. Seacrist was also very complimentary of Mr. McGrail, noting how much he has done on the EDC.

"Joe (McGrail) and I have been like two kids in a candy store," said Mr. Seacrist. "There is so much out there we could bring to Watertown."

Having retired from his Northeast Utilities position as Sales Manager, Mr. Seacrist was happy to find a new way to keep himself busy and "give something back to Watertown." At NU he worked for both the Yankee Gas and Connecticut Light & Power subsidiaries of the company.

He has B.S. and M.S. degrees from Bradley University, and started his career by teaching speech and communication at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. Mr. Seacrist then entered the business world by joining the Xerox Corporation, and rose to the rank of National Sales Manager for their Learning Systems Division. He then joined the Continental Insurance Company in Manhattan, New York, as corporate vice-president for human resources development, with responsibility for 26,000 employees worldwide. After Continental, Mr. Seacrist formed his own consulting firm. He was principal owner and managing partner there for 14 years, selling his interest in 1997 when he joined Yankee Gas.

His Phone is (860) 945-4858; Fax (860) 945-4974.