The budget director and comptroller of New Canaan’s town government, Jennifer Charneski, has just been appointed finance director for the town of Darien, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson announced.
She replaces Kathleen Buch, who recently became the town administrator after the departure of Karl Kilduff.
Here’s the announcement, released late Tuesday morning:
It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Selectmen has appointed Jennifer A. Charneski to the position of director of finance, effective Dec. 7, 2015. Ms. Charneski brings thirteen years of local government finance experience.
Her nine years of experience in Connecticut has been in the towns of New Canaan and Hamden. Jennifer earned a bachelor of science and master of public affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.
Currently, Jennifer serves as budget director/comptroller for the town of New Canaan. Her primary focus for the last three years has been to work with the CFO to redesign staffing and operations of the [New Canaan] Finance Department. In addition, she has worked to continuously improve the budget process and maintain the town of New Canaan’s Aaa credit rating.
During her tenure in Hamden, Jennifer served as budget co-ordinator and as acting finance director. While in Hamden, she developed and administered the operating and capital budgets, guided the Administration through the authorization of $36 million for the construction of a new Police headquarters and renovation of historic Memorial Town Hall.
Jennifer also played an integral role in the town’s August 2009 bond ratings review and coordinated an RFP process for the Town’s insurance programs.
Before moving to Connecticut, Jennifer was a member of the Office of Management and Budget’s Internal Consulting Team (ICT) in Broward County, Fla. As a lead analyst for the ICT, Jennifer was able to utilize her analytical skills to conduct process improvement studies.
She was also part of a team that developed a Performance Measurement Coaching program which assisted agencies with the development of mission-driven, outcome focused measures.
In Jennifer’s own words, “My approach to municipal finance is to combine historical experience with best practices and emerging trends in order to minimize tax increases while maintaining service levels and improving Town finances.”
She is eager to play a role in Darien’s financial future and looks forward to the opportunity to become a part of the Darien town government team. Ms. Charneski was the unanimous choice of the Board, and we believe that her education, experience, attitude and unique skills will be an asset to the Town of Darien.
Please join me in congratulating Jennifer A. Charneski as the Town’s new Director of Finance.
We wish her every success as she takes on the extremely important position.
Jayme J. Stevenson
First Selectman, Town of Darien