Town Administrator Karl Kilduff has been named the new executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and start in the new job in August, the agency announced.
Darien Town Administrator Karl Kilduff
The chairperson of the agency’s board, Evonne Klein, worked with Kilduff when she was Darien’s first selectman. Klein now heads the state Department of Housing.
[Update: Kilduff has been working for the town government since early 2008. He said Monday night that he hoped to provide CHFA decisionmaking with more of the perspective of what those involved in municipal governments are concerned with in housing matters.]
Here’s the news release from the CHFA:
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to appoint Karl. F. Kilduff of Trumbull, CT as its new executive director. The board recently completed its national search for a new agency head.
“Mr. Kilduff has a distinguished career in local government. He brings a diverse set of skills with a solid record of accomplishment that will bring bold new leadership to CHFA.” said Evonne Klein, chairperson of the CHFA Board.
“We conducted a national search for this position and met with several candidates. I am confident in the board’s selection and believe that Karl will represent the values of our organization with integrity and drive. Karl comes to CHFA with a complex understanding of the housing needs in Connecticut and he will be an excellent partner with local, state, and federal agencies as we work to tackle issues across the spectrum from homelessness to homeownership.”
Kilduff is a seasoned government executive with diverse experience managing operations in municipalities ranging from those with strong economic backgrounds to more distressed and HUD-entitled communities. His background and experience in local government provides a unique perspective which will be a valuable asset to the Board and the operations of the Authority.
He has extensive experience with budget and financial management, strategic planning and priority setting, community development, economic development, infrastructure management, and human resources. These skills will be extremely valuable and are well-suited for the CHFA Executive Director.
Kilduff served as the city manager for Johnstown, PA, as the town manager for North Branford, CT, and most recently as the town administrator for Darien, CT. In these roles Kilduff developed a keen intellect and specific managerial style.
As town administrator, he was responsible for the management of town operations, including oversight of 179 municipal employees. He was also one of the chief architects of the town’s 6-year capital plan and annual operating budget.
“I am delighted to join the CHFA management team and look forward to working with the entire Board of Directors, as well as CHFA’s employees, to address the challenges and opportunities available to the authority at this unique time in Connecticut,” said Karl Kilduff.
Kilduff will assume his new role in August, replacing Interim Executive Vice President Norbert Deslauriers, who will stay on as a member of the CHFA leadership team. Kilduff received his M.P.A., with honors, from the University of Connecticut and his B.A. from Syracuse University, where he was a double major in political science and international relations.
CHFA is the quasi-public housing agency charged with expanding affordable housing opportunities for Connecticut’s low and moderate income residents. The agency works in tandem with the state Department of Housing to accomplish these goals. It provides below-market rate mortgages for single-family ownership and for the development of multifamily rental properties.