GOVERNOR-ELECT MALLOY NAMES BEN BARNES AS OPM SECRETARY

Barnes, 42, has worked in Stamford, Bridgeport City Government, and at CCM

 

November 17, 2010

 

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor-Elect Dan Malloy made a key appointment in his administration today, naming Ben Barnes to be his Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Secretary. Barnes, a former Director of Administration, Director of Operations and Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare for the City of Stamford, is currently the Operating Officer for Bridgeport Public Schools, overseeing the school system's facilities, transportation, technology and budget.  
 
"I've known Ben for years and I know he's exactly the kind of person I need in my administration, to help get Connecticut's fiscal house in order," said Governor-Elect Malloy. "I personally entrusted him with three of the most important positions in Stamford over a period of time. His experience as a numbers-cruncher at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, as well as his time in-the-trenches working for two of Connecticut's largest cities, has prepared him well for the vast and varied challenges he'll face as OPM secretary. Ben knows my priority as Governor is creating new jobs and keeping the ones we have. But he also knows that I'm committed to a rigorous, transparent and straightforward budget. We're turning a page with Ben's appointment. We worked together to produce GAAP budgets in Stamford. We'll do the same for Connecticut in Hartford. Transitioning our state's budget to GAAP -- a standard in the industry that will ensure there are no gimmicks contained within our state's books - will be a sobering process, but it's one that needs to be done now. I'm excited to have Ben on board and look forward to work with him once again."

 

Of his appointment, Barnes said, "I'm honored that Governor-Elect Malloy has found my experience and skill-set to be a match for what he's looking for as his OPM secretary. I know that he's serious about getting the state's fiscal house in order, and I'm ready for that arduous work. Working with then-Mayor Malloy for eight years has allowed me to see what kind of a leader he is, and what kind of expectations he sets, and I'm eager to get down to business on behalf of the people of Connecticut. Obviously there will be a great number of challenges in this new position, but I take them on knowing how critical it is that the people of this state are told the truth about our fiscal reality so we can finally do what needs to be done to get things back on track. I look forward to working with the Governor-Elect and his entire team."

 

Benjamin Barnes is currently the Operating Officer for the Bridgeport Public Schools, overseeing the school system's facilities, transportation, technology and $215 million budget.  Previously, he was the Director of Operations for the City of Stamford, a department with 250 employees, an annual operating budget of $43 million and a capital budget of $40 million.  Barnes was responsible for public works, solid waste and recycling, land use and zoning, sewage, parks and recreation, and engineering services in Stamford, CT.  He had previously served as Director of Administration and as Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare in Stamford.  All told, he served over 8 years as a cabinet member during Dan Malloy's mayoralty. He has also worked as the Government Finance Director for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and as a planner for the Cities of Hartford and St. Petersburg, Florida. Barnes holds a Masters degree in Urban Planning from New York University and a Bachelor's degree in History from Swarthmore College.  He has served on the Boards of Directors of the Housing Development Fund and the Childcare Learning Centers.  He has lived in Connecticut for 20 years and currently resides in Stratford with his wife Tania and his three sons.

 

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