Matthew J. Pugliese

Deputy Commissioner, Connecticut DECD
as designee for Dan O'Keefe, Commissioner, Connecticut DECD

Matthew J. Pugliese was named Deputy Commissioner and Chief Investment Officer of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) on January 1, 2024. In this role, he oversees all real estate, capital project, brownfield, and community development initiatives and compliance activities of the department. 

Previously, he served as DECD’s Executive Director of Community Development, where he managed multiple state grant programs supporting a diverse range of capital projects. Matt joined the department in 2022 to help launch the Community Investment Fund 2030 program, an $875 million, five-year program fostering economic and community development in historically underserved communities across the state. 

Before joining DECD, Matt served as the Associate State Director of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center and held leadership positions in higher education at UConn and nonprofit organizations. Matt currently serves on the Town of Old Saybrook’s Board of Selectmen and is a past chair of the town’s Economic Development Commission.  He earned his Master’s in Public Administration from the UConn School of Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree from the UConn School of Fine Arts.