Paul Lavoie, director of current Connecticut manufacturing, will start his mandate at university in July. As such, he will supervise the creation of the new research park (R&D) of the university. R&D Park will offer businesses direct access to students’ talents, advanced research and pioneering innovation opportunities.
June 20, 2025
Paul LavoieConnecticut’s manufacturing director was appointed first vice-president of innovation and applied technologies at New Haven University. Lavoie will oversee the formation of The Pioneer of Research and Development Park (R&D) of the University (R&D). The R&D Park will be located in a redesigned commercial space of 130,000 square feet located directly next to the West Haven University campus.
Lavoie was named one of the Top 5 leaders of world manufacturing by Digital Manufacturing magazineJoining the leaders of Michelin, General Motors, Ferrari and Johnson Controls.
“Paul is a visionary leader and turned forward who has exceptional experience in conducting innovation and ingenuity. He is the ideal individual to execute the vision of our R&D park.”President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D.
The new University R&D park will be largely focused on the fields of advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, automatic learning and biotechnology, as well as on industry 4.0 and 5.0. The University is considering a large collaboration supporting the R&D park, with partners such as private companies, government entities, K-12 schools, the cities of West Haven and New Haven, and a variety of organizations such as Advancect and CT Center for Advanced Technology.
“I have long admired New Haven University and its commitment to preparing its graduates to excel in the career of the future,” said Lavoie. “The vision of President Frederiksen for the university is as captivating as they are inspiring. I am delighted to advance this vision through the formation of this unique R&D park. I am convinced that this project will offer students and businesses enormous opportunities to excel in the economies of the future. ”
“Paul is a visionary leader and turned forward who has exceptional experience in conducting innovation and ingenuity,” said President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. “He is the ideal individual to execute the vision of our R&D park – a vision that provides the next generation of an elite workforce for Connecticut with transformational practical learning experiences. This is an unprecedented economic development opportunity, with the promise of a catalytic impact in the main sectors of the industry that have traditionally defined the main economic and comparative advantages of Connecticut. ”
President Frederiksen said that the University had created a heritage as a private school with a public mission, gaining an exceptional reputation to provide elite talents with Connecticut labor and specifically to the sectors of advanced manufacturing and applied technology. The university has long -standing relations with Sikorsky, General Dynamics, Medtronic, Otis, RBC Bearings, Pratt and Whitney, Lee Company and Raytheon Technologies.
While New Haven University has developed considerably in recent years, research infrastructure and practical learning spaces remain at a higher price. In 2024, the University bought the old railway recovery property, which included a commercial space of 130,000 square feet, and the 12 surrounding land acres in Campbell Avenue, located directly opposite the main campus of the University.
R&D Park is strategically align with the need for Connecticut to support advanced manufacturing, applied technology and the defense industry. He will hire stakeholders in the academic world, the government and the industry by taking advantage of the ingenuity and various perspectives of teachers, students, business leaders and industry experts. The emphasis will be placed on the expansion of applied research, the succession of practical challenges and the preparation of the elite workforce for the future
“Thanks to our R&D park, New Haven University will emerge as a key director in promoting education and applied research in the fields of intelligent manufacturing, cyber-menace intelligence, artificial intelligence, automation and automatic learning,” said President Frederiksen. “It will include all technical fields and linked to technology in all disciplines to advance our mission to be a leader in the provision of studies focused on the outside for the development of labor, research and initiatives of percuting community awareness.”
A native of Connecticut, Lavoie was appointed by Governor Ned Lamont as manufacturing director for Connecticut In February 2022. The position of manufacturing manager was created to coordinate the efforts of the State and the private sector to extend manufacturing in Connecticut. In November 2022, Lavoie assumed responsibility for state economic development efforts for its own economy, including the offshore wind.
Lavoie has vast experience in industry, especially as managing director to Carey Manufacturing In Cromwell, Connecticut. Before Carey, Lavoie had two companies and held senior positions in listed and private companies. He is chairman of the board of directors of Connecticut Wind Collaborative; co -president of Governor’s council subcommittee on women and girls on education and steam; a member of the Advisory Council of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System; and a member of the Advisory Council of Uconn College of Engineering.