Ridgefielder John Frey Named To New CT-Ireland Trade Commission

**News Release Submitted by Connecticut House Republicans**

Sept. 10, 2024

House Republican Leader Vincent J. Candelora has named former State Rep. John Frey of Ridgefield to the newly created Connecticut-Ireland Trade Commission.

"I am happy to name John Frey to this post as he demonstrated during his 11 terms in office his understanding of how to encourage and promote commerce in Connecticut," Candelora said. Mr. Frey, who served 22 years in the House before retiring in 2021, has family and prior business ties to Ireland that he can call upon to formulate ways to advance economic opportunities as well as academic exchanges between the state and Ireland.

The 23-member commission was approved by the legislature in the most recent session and will begin work this fall. Mr. Frey's term until September 31, 2027.

"I look forward to taking on this role that I will hope will result in effective strategies to enhance economic activity as well as greater academic opportunities between the partners," Mr. Frey said.

Ireland and Connecticut have a long history of cultural and economic ties, with Connecticut boasting the 8th highest percentage of Irish ancestry in the United States. The two hold similarly sized populations (5.2 million and 3.6 million) and are known globally for their status as knowledge economy leaders. Both economies are based on a culture that fosters highly skilled, research and development-based ecosystems, especially in financial services, technology, and life sciences. More than 350 Connecticut companies have a physical presence in Ireland.

Mr. Frey has strong connections to Ireland.

Frey's grandparents, he noted, were born in Ireland and his family owned an Irish importing business for nearly two decades. He still has family living in Ireland and has visited numerous times. He is a member of the American Irish State Legislators Caucus and at one point served as Ranking Member on the legislative Commerce Committee.

Mr. Frey's other government appointments include Chairman of the Connecticut Real Estate Commission, and a member of both the President’s Committee on White House Fellows and the US Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.