Kevin Lembo
State Comptroller
Office of the State Comptroller
Kevin Lembo was elected State Comptroller in 2010 following decades of experience in government, finance and health care. Comptroller Lembo is determined to continue his advocacy as the state’s fiscal guardian on behalf of the people of Connecticut. He is committed to help eliminate wasteful spending, strengthen budget transparency, deliver government services more efficiently and address the state’s growing health care crisis.
Most recently, Comptroller Lembo served two terms as Connecticut’s first Healthcare Advocate beginning in 2004.
As Healthcare Advocate, Lembo helped thousands of Connecticut residents navigate the complexities of the healthcare system every year. He advocated for patients and their families when they were denied coverage or treatment, and returned more than $25 million to consumers over six years. As co-chair of the state’s health care reform effort –- SustiNet –- Comptroller Lembo has led the charge for more affordable and higher quality health care in Connecticut. Lembo previously served as Assistant Comptroller where he helped manage state finances and health care for state employees, retirees, municipalities, non-profits and small businesses. He also fought to increase the state’s Rainy Day Fund to protect Connecticut taxpayers during difficult economic times. As a long-time supporter of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles –- GAAP –- Comptroller Lembo’s experience will be critical as he helps the state transition to a new era of financial transparency and accountability.
Before coming to Connecticut, Comptroller Lembo served on a team that designed and implemented a successful long-term home health care program in northeastern New York. This innovative approach to home health care helped prevent premature and permanent admissions to nursing facilities and enhanced the quality of life for participants. Comptroller Lembo also served as Program Director of an AIDS education, prevention and primary care program partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at a community health center. During that time, he was the co-chair of the Ryan White Care Network and charged with making funding recommendations to the federal government, and for monitoring the local coordination of services. Comptroller Lembo continues to serve as a clinical instructor at the Yale School of Nursing and holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University. He is a 2004 Toll Fellow of the Council of State Governments and has been honored for his leadership by the New York State Public Health Association, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Chiropractic Association, Psychological Association, Radiological Society, and CT Association of Optometrists. The Connecticut Psychiatric Society named Comptroller Lembo “Citizen of the Year” for his work to improve mental health care access.
In 2004, former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher commissioned Comptroller Lembo a “Kentucky Colonel” in recognition of his advocacy on behalf of children in foster care. Kentucky Colonel is the highest honor awarded by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Lembo resides in Guilford, CT with his spouse; they have three children.