An announcement Wednesday afternoon from First Selectman Jayme Stevenson:
It is my pleasure to announce that the Board of Selectmen has appointed Kathleen Clarke Buch to the position of Town Administrator, effective Sept. 14, 2015.
Ms. Buch brings almost 30 years of experience in municipal government to this position, including 25 years in chief financial positions in Connecticut municipalities.
Since 2000 Kate has served as the Town of Darien’s finance director and has worked closely with former town administrators and elected officials developing strategic and operational plans for the Town. In addition, Kate has helped manage the Town and Police Pension Plans in conjunction with the Pension Committee and professional advisors.
During her tenure here, Kate has assisted the town in consistently maintaining its AAA bond rating, and instrumental in the Town of Darien receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting each year.
In 2007, Ms. Buch had the opportunity to serve for several months as Interim Town Administrator. From 1994-1996, Kate worked as the town’s finance officer where she gained invaluable experience managing the Town’s accounting system, capital financing program, annual budget, and preparing financial statements.
Kate’s other professional employment included serving as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter (1999-2000), director of finance for the City of West Haven (1996-1999), and controller-treasurer for the Town of Southbury (1986-1994).
In terms of education, Kate holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Chestnut Hill College and a master of science degree in administration from Western Connecticut State University. Ms. Buch is also a certified public finance officer.
Over the years Kate has been a member of such professional organizations as the Government Finance Officers Association of Connecticut as a member and past president, and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada as a member and former executive board member.
Kate is a past chairman and current member of the national GFOA ‘s Committee on Retirements and Benefit Administration. She has been a speaker at the national GFOA’s annual conference.
The members of the Board of Finance have joined me in congratulating Kate Buch on her being named Darien’s Town Administrator.
Liz Mao, Board Chair, proclaimed, “Kate has demonstrated her superior skills in finance by her award-winning financial statements, her thorough understanding of Darien’s operating and capital accounts, and her excellent preparation of our board members for the Board of Finance’s monthly meetings. We all wish her continued success in her new role as Town Administrator.”
Kate’s financial and administrative expertise and detailed knowledge of the Town of Darien make her an ideal choice for this important job.
Please join me in congratulating Ms. Kathleen (Kate) Clarke Buch as the Town ‘s new town administrator. We wish her every success as she takes on the extremely important position.
Jayme Stevenson,
First Selectman