OPM Secretary Biography
Robert L. Genuario
Secretary
Office of Policy and Management
Biography
Robert L. Genuario was appointed by Republican Governor M. Jodi Rell to serve as the Secretary of the State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) in January 2005. OPM is the Governor's staff agency in Connecticut and is responsible for all aspects of policy, planning, budgeting and management of state government.
Genuario was a seven term Republican State Senator representing the 25th district, which includes the towns of Norwalk and Darien. His experience in a wide variety of policy areas and his leadership on key budgetary issues was an asset in his service to his constituents and to the citizens of Connecticut.
For four consecutive terms, Genuario was named the Senate’s ranking member on the Connecticut General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, a powerful committee charged with overseeing the allocation of state funds. In addition, Senator Genuario served as ranking member of the General Assembly's Education Committee and the Planning and Development Committee. He was also a member of the Judiciary Committee, the Energy and Technology Committee, and the Legislative Management Committee, as well as on the Governor's Alcohol and Drug Policy Council. Genuario was also appointed to serve on the Program Review Committee, as well as on the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. The Program Review Committee conducts in-depth studies of government initiatives, evaluating their effectiveness. The Elementary and Secondary Education Committee addresses education issues for grades K-12. Senator Genuario’s responsibilities as a member of the Senate Republican Caucus also included serving as Deputy Minority Leader.
Secretary Genuario received a number of awards during his tenure in the Senate in recognition of his hard work and dedication. In 1995 he was admitted as an inductee of the Community Justice Coalition of Connecticut Honor Roll and was the recipient of the "Children's Hero Award" from the Connecticut Children's Trust Fund. In 1996, he was recognized for his service to the people of Connecticut during a special session of the Senate held at the Old State House and named "Family Legislator of the Year" by the Connecticut Association of Family Service Agencies. He has been recognized by the Connecticut Association of Not For Profit Nursing Homes, by the Association of Independent Colleges, and by UConn Advocates.
Secretary Genuario has served on the Boards of Trustees of the Norwalk YMCA, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, Steppingstones Children’s Museum, the Child Guidance Center of Middle Fairfield County, and Honey Hill Nursing Home.
Prior to his election to the State Senate, Genuario served as a member of the Norwalk Board of Education from 1981 to 1990, and as its chairman in 1982, 1983, and 1990. In addition, he is the former President of the Norwalk Jaycees and the former director of the Norwalk Lions Club.
Robert L. Genuario was a partner in the Norwalk law firm of Genuario & Conover. He received his B.A. from Villanova University in 1974, and was awarded his law degree from Villanova University's School of Law in 1977. He resides in Norwalk with his wife, Mary Ann, and their four sons.
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