‘Coach’ Larry McHugh Sets Retirement Date

Larry McHugh, the longtime leader of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and mentor to dozens of business leaders throughout Connecticut, is set to retire. 

The chamber’s board of directors said McHugh will retire after 39 years.

The board appointed COO Johanna Bond as the chamber’s next president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2023. 

“It has been a wonderful 39 years working with an outstanding staff, volunteers, and fantastic board chairs.”

Larry McHugh

“It has been a wonderful 39 years working with an outstanding staff, volunteers, and fantastic Board chairs to create the most vibrant and largest chamber in Connecticut,” McHugh said. 

“It is now time to move on and spend more time with my wife, Patty, and our family.”

Since joining the chamber in 1983, McHugh has led the organization to be one of the largest in Connecticut, with more than 2,000 members who employ more than 50,000 people. 

“We are extremely grateful for Larry’s tremendous leadership of the organization and his strong advocacy for the businesses and communities of Middlesex County,” board chair Kristen Roberts said. 

Thanks Coach

While local employers have come to rely on McHugh and the chamber to represent their interests, McHugh has also served another role for business leaders. 

“While I didn’t play football for him, Larry has been a coach to me and many others,” CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima said. 

“He’s been a true mentor since the day I met him 20 years ago as a member of the chamber.”

DiPentima said McHugh has supported him throughout his career, celebrating wins and motivating he and others to go beyond the status quo. 

“Like all great motivators, he has an unwavering passion for making people, companies, and our state better,” DiPentima said.

Tower Labs owner and state senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) said McHugh represents the best of a community leader. 

“Larry has been a trusted friend, a mentor and a colleague who has dedicated his life to building an organization that has supported businesses in Middlesex County for decades and with that strong foundation, will continue to be the vital chamber serving its members that we have all become accustomed to,” he said.