Portland Man Named Chair of State Human Rights Commission

A local Portland resident has been appointed to serve as chairperson of the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

Gary Collins, who currently works as a Core Compliance Leader with GE Capital, was appointed to head the agency responsible for addressing discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and working to establish "equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state," according to a release from the governor's office.

"Our collective mission to end discrimination in all forms is critical to ensuring our state continues to be a place where all people are able to reach their full potential and realize their dreams," Collins said. "It is an honor and a privilege to serve the state in this most important role."

A lawyer by training, Collins serves in leadership roles for number of boards and nonprofit organizations, including the Council for a Liveable World. The nonpartisan advocacy group is dedicated to reducing nuclear weapons and increasing national security.

CHRO is responsible for enforcing human rights laws that ban illegal discrimination and establishing equal opportunity and justice for all persons in the state.

"Gary has broad experience and the commission will be well served with him functioning as its chairperson," Malloy said. "I look forward to him serving in this role."