Gordon Videll, Chief Executive Officer of Sea Services North America, has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative.

The Wind Collaborative was first announced last October as part of Connecticut’s Offshore Wind Strategic Roadmap, which calls for the new nonprofit to work collaboratively with stakeholders in business, industry, academia, state agencies, and counterparts in neighboring states to advance the regional supply chain and workforce necessary to meet the growing demand for this new American industry.

“It is a privilege to be asked to serve as a member of the inaugural Board of Directors for the Connecticut Wind Collaborative,” Videll said. “And I believe it speaks volumes about the unique value that state leaders and offshore wind advocates attribute to Sea Services North America. I look forward to sharing perspectives we’ve gained in leading the vital collaboration between commercial fishermen along the East Coast and offshore wind developers.”

The Connecticut Wind Collaborative seeks to establish a wind industry cluster that will offer a centralized critical mass of expertise and shared resources to support growth, attract investment and talent, and foster innovation, across Connecticut and throughout New England.

Seed funding for the Wind Collaborative includes $577,500 received from the joint venture of Ørsted and Eversource, as part of their supply chain and workforce development commitments tied to their Revolution Wind project, which is starting construction 32 miles southeast of the coastline. Revolution Wind, Connecticut’s first offshore wind farm, will consist of 65 wind turbines and provide 304MW of clean, sustainable electricity to the grid. Another 400MW will be provided to Rhode Island, powering more than 350,000 homes in both states by the end of 2025.

“Connecticut has established itself as a leader in the offshore wind industry, thanks to its foresight, its commitment to the fight against climate change, and its willingness to invest in the local jobs and infrastructure needed to grow this new American industry,” said Ørsted’s Nicole Verdi, Head of Government & Policy, New England, when the wind collaborative was launched. “Ørsted is proud to support the Connecticut Wind Collaborative as we work together to grow the industry across the region, drive economic development and job creation, and meet clean energy goals.”

Videll joins Board Chairperson Paul Lavoie, the state’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, co-Vice Chairs Kate Aufhauser, the Gov. Ned Lamont’s Strategic Advisor for Economic Development, and Andrew Lavigne, Manager of the state’s Clean Economy Program at the Department of Economic and Community Development, and Secretary Paul Whitescarver, Executive Director of the Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (seCTer) and former Commander of Submarine Base New London.

The 15-member board includes representatives from industry, research, and state agencies in Connecticut and Rhode Island.