Page 14 - North Haven Magazine Spring 2021 Issue 18

Meet
Ray Andrewsen
by Marisa Hexter

Executive Director of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce
Ray Andrewsen has spent his life and career within the North Haven community. As a child, he lived
first on Sackett Point, and then moved to Pine Grove where he grew up to find a passion for radio, tele-
vision, and journalism. Every night, he would watch Walter Cronkite with his father on CBS, “Because
my dad just loved watching everything Walter Cronkite.” This spurred his passion, so when he went
to Syracuse University, Ray majored in history with a Broadcast Journalism minor. Though he did not
start immediately after graduating; as his first job was selling men’s clothes. In fact, the first inseam he
ever measured at a high-end store in Westport was for Paul Newman. “By the way, it’s 31.” Ray then
moved on to sell real estate for five years. Finally, he entered the radio broadcasting world starting in
Waterbury and then moving around the east coast before ending up at Quinnipiac University’s AM
1220 WQUN for 22 years.

hen WQUN closed in 2019, Ray saw it as an opportunity to at The Rustic Oak. While living in Hamden for seven years, the An-
Wevaluate his future. “After 33 years of commercial broadcast- drewsens moved back to North Haven in 2004, where he continued
ing, I had to, like many people late in their career, had to assess my the lineage of North Haven roots with his own children, Chandler
skills and I had to figure out what the logical next steps might be and Christian, who both went through the North Haven school sys-
for my next line of employment.” Radio has been struggling in the tem. He met his wife Lynn in New Haven who he married in 1985
last couple of decades due to the different forms of media out there, who works for Yale. “My roots are profoundly deep.”
“The opportunities for meaningful career advancement… was very
tough to find, so I needed to broaden my scope.” To do this, Ray During his time off, Ray enjoys birdwatching and is a self-described
looked to his large network of people and places he met due to his “relentless” reader. During the pandemic, he and his wife, along
involvement in civic engagements as well as those who promoted with their dog, Jackson, have all gone hiking throughout the state;
and worked with WQUN. Andrewsen also served on the Hamden discovering and exploring new areas. When asked what his favor-
Chamber of Commerce’s board for six years; one of three Chambers ite part about North Haven was, Ray, described the family history
to promote their organization on WQUN, along with Chesire and and their links to the town. From different houses to the green, he
the Quinnipiac Chamber. While networking, “The position in the has distinct memories in many places around the community. “The
New Haven Chamber of Commerce for Director of Membership path of success in North Haven was established when our family
Services came up,” and Ray accepted the position. came here and it's been a wonderful journey for all of us.”

As Director of Membership Services, Andrewesen oversaw mem-
bership growth, membership engagement, and relationship man-
agement of their membership base and investors. He also worked
with the diversity and inclusion team, “To create more diverse
membership, which we have successfully done.” During this time,
there was reorganization happening within the New Haven Cham-
ber of Commerce, and Ray was approached about a new position.
“I’d been there for 14 months and our president, Garrett Sheehan,
asked if I was interested in the vacancy upon the retirement of the
former executive director.” When asked if he wanted this position,
Ray said yes, “It seemed like a natural fit,” and as of March 15, 2021,
he is now Executive Director of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Com-
merce. Since taking the role, he feels it is a perfect fit for him, “...
because I’m a native, I’m very engaged in the communities that the
Quinnipiac Chamber serves, I have intimate knowledge of both
towns in the region.”
The mission of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate
of the New Haven Chamber, “...is to help and assist not just its own
individual members, but the local business community through a
multitude of events, through networking opportunities for busi-
ness promotion and advertising, and marketing and advocacy.” Ray
states, “We are trying to make everything better for work, life, and
play.” The QCC helps assist local entities from the government to
businesses and different civic and non-profit organizations. When
asked what the best part of working for both GNHCC and QCC,
Ray talked about the meaningful connections. Especially during
the pandemic when they made outreach calls to check in with their
members. They focused a great deal on encouragement, but also on
educating their members on relief programs and their own webi-
nars.

Ray can trace his North Haven roots back to 1926 when his grand-
father, Karl Jensen immigrated to town with his wife and seven
children, where he built a house on Sackett Point Road. His uncle
owned the Maple Liquor Store, and his first job was as a dishwasher

14 North Haven Magazine - Spring Issue 2021