MAYOR ELICKER ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW DEPARTMENT HEADS TO LEAD FIRE, TRANSPORTATION, LEGAL, AND FINANCE DEPARTMENTS FOR THE CITY OF NEW HAVEN

[NEW HAVEN, CT] - Today, Mayor Justin Elicker announced the appointments of four new departments heads to key positions in city government and incoming leaders for the Fire Department; Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department; Office of Corporation Counsel; and Finance Department for the City of New Haven. (The livestream of the announcement can be viewed here.)

Following his inauguration on January 1^st and the beginning of a new term in office, Mayor Elicker has named Daniel Coughlin as his nominee to serve as Fire Chief and announced the appointments of Haley Simpson as the new director of Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department; Allison Jacobs as the new Corporation Counsel to lead the Legal Department; and Michael Gormany as the city controller to lead the Finance Department.

"With a new term comes new leadership, and the City of New Haven is fortunate to have these four distinguished and dedicated professionals to step into critical roles and help lead our city and serve our residents. While very different positions and departments, each one plays a vital role in the life of our city that help keep our residents safe, deliver essential services that help our residents thrive, and keep our city strong," said Mayor Elicker. "I'm grateful to Daniel Coughlin, Haley Simpson, Allison Jacobs, and Michael Gormany for stepping into these leadership positions and bringing their knowledge and experience to help support our residents and our city."

DANIEL COUGHLIN - FIRE CHIEF

As Fire Chief and a senior member of the City of New Haven's public safety team, Daniel Coughlin will be responsible for leading the 300+ member fire department charged with fire prevention, protection and suppression; rescue services; hazardous materials response; emergency management; and emergency medical services. Through effective training, preparation and operations, the fire department works to keep the New Haven community safe and to minimize injury and the loss of life and property from the threats of fire, medical, and other man-made and natural distractors.

Coughlin brings over twenty years of firefighting experience to the job. He first joined the New Haven Fire Department in 2002 and has been promoted through the ranks as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and now assistant chief of operations - a position he has served in since March 2023. Coughlin has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and bravery throughout his career, including as a recipient of the department's Medal of Valor (2011) and Firefighter of the Year (2021), among other awards and accolades, upholding the highest traditions of the New Haven Fire Department. Coughlin also formerly served as an executive board member for New Haven Fire Firefighters Local 825 and former president of the City of New Haven Firefighters Emerald Society, which supports and cares for New Haven firefighters in times of need and engages in community and charitable work throughout the Elm City.

"Growing up in New Haven and being a part of a family of firefighters and first responders that have served the Elm City for over a century, I'm extremely honored to be chosen by Mayor Elicker as his nominee for fire chief. Every day the men and women of the New Haven Fire Department engage in brave and heroic acts that save lives and protect our residents from injury and harm, and I could not be prouder to serve alongside them and lead this department," said Assistant Chief Coughlin. "Together, we will make an outstanding fire department even stronger with a focus on training, safety, mental health and well-being, and hearing the thoughts and ideas from our firefighters on how to improve our work and operations. I look forward to partnering with Mayor Elicker, the Board of Alders, and our public safety departments to keep our residents and city safe."

The role is currently held by Fire Chief John Alston, Jr, who is retiring from the fire service on January 31^st. Coughlin will be named acting fire chief following Alston's departure and his nomination is subject to final confirmation by the New Haven Board of Alders within 180 days of his appointment, as required by the City Charter.

HALEY SIMPSON - DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, TRAFFIC, AND PARKING

As Director of New Haven's Transportation, Traffic, and Parking (TT&P) Department, Haley Simpson will lead the city's efforts to provide residents with a safe, reliable, convenient, equitable, affordable, and integrated transportation network that helps individuals and goods get to where they need to go through a variety of commuting options, including walking, biking, driving, and public transit. TT&P delivers on this through a combination of traffic safety, engineering, and infrastructure projects and initiatives - coupled with urban planning and parking management. The department is organized into four main groups: Traffic Control, Transportation Planning, Parking Operations, and Safety Guards. Over the past year, the City of New Haven has worked with its local and state partners to aggressively expanded transportation options for residents, including the Ride New Haven e-bikeshare program, the Veo electric scooter program, the Via NHV rideshare project, and in the coming years Bus Rapid Transit - along with a series of traffic planning, traffic control, and transportation infrastructure projects.

Simpson is a seasoned civil servant who brings years of project management and program planning experience, with tenures at the Glendower Group (the nonprofit development arm of the Housing Authority of New Haven) where she worked to advance the creation of more affordable housing - and, most recently, as Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Elicker where she specializes in managing complex, cross-departmental projects and initiatives. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Simpson helped plan and implement the soon-to-be-completed school bus stop arm enforcement program to help provide students with safer commutes to and from school.

Simpon also serves as a board member for the Boys & Girls Club of New Haven and is an active member of several other nonprofit organizations in the Elm City and region. Simpson holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University.

Incoming TT&P Director Simpson stated, "I'm honored to continue serving New Haven in this new role as Director of Transportation, Traffic, and Parking. This department is the connective tissue of the city. It shapes how our kids get to school, how residents reach work and appointments, and how our neighborhoods stay connected. New Haven is home. I am committed to improving traffic safety in every neighborhood for residents of every age and every mode of travel. I thank Mayor Justin Elicker for this appointment, and I look forward to partnering with my colleagues across the city, the Board of Alders, and the community."

The position is currently occupied by Sandeep Aysola who is leaving city government after the completion of his four-year term on January 31^st, with Simpson beginning as TT&P director on February 1^st.

ALLISON R. JACOBS - CORPORATION COUNSEL

As Corporation Counsel, Allison Jacobs will lead the Office of Corporation Counsel and serve as the chief legal officer for the City of New Haven, responsible for the management, coordination, and supervision of all legal affairs involving the municipality. In this role, Attorney Jacobs is charged with advising the Mayor, department heads, boards, commissions, and agencies on legal matters affecting the City and will work to ensure that all municipal actions, contracts, ordinances, policies, and official documents comply with all applicable laws as well as defending the city and its interests.

Attorney Jacobs is an eighth generation New Havener and currently a partner at Jacobs & Jacobs, a New Haven-based law firm that was started by her great-grandfather in 1918. In her private practice, Jacobs is recognized as a skilled litigator, with expertise in health and injury law. She also serves in leadership capacities for the wider legal profession as the current President of the Foundation for the New Haven County Bar and the President-Elect of the New Haven County Bar Association.

Jacobs has also dedicated her time and legal acumen to serve the City and State in several capacities, including as a Small Claims/Criminal Infractions and Housing Magistrate for the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch since 2021; Hearing Officer, Anti-Blight Officer, and Code Enforcement officer for the City of New Haven since 2024; and on the Board of Tax Assessment Appeals for the City of New Haven since 2024.

Attorney Jacobs received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University and a Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

"I am honored to be appointed as the next Corporation Counsel for the City of New Haven. As an eighth-generation New Havener and fourth generation New Haven lawyer, I am deeply committed to advancing and defending the rights, well-being, and safety of our residents and community. In times like these, when our values, laws, and legal institutions are being tested like never before, it is crucial that the City of New Haven stands up for our residents and communities," said incoming Corporation Counsel Jacobs. "As Corporation Counsel, it will be my honor to fight alongside Mayor Elicker and the incredibly talented and dedicated lawyers within the Office of Corporation Counsel to advance the city's interests and defend our city from all threats. I thank Mayor Elicker for this exciting opportunity."

The position was previously occupied by Patricia King who retired from city government service on January 9^th and is currently held by Acting Corporation Counsel Rod Williams until Jacobs begins on April 6^th.

MICHAEL GORMANY - CITY CONTROLLER

As city controller, Michael Gormany will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the City's Finance Department, which includes the divisions and staff responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, pension, tax assessment, and tax collection. The controller also shares audit and procurement responsibilities with the City's budget director for the Elm City's $700+ million general fund budget as well as the City's special funds and capital budgets.

Gormany brings over 20 years of financial government experience to the position, including 20 years of previous service with the City of New Haven. While working for the Elm City, Gormany served in several roles and capacities within the Finance Department and the Office of Policy, Management, and Grants, including the seniormost leadership positions within those departments as city controller from 2020 to 2024 and city budget director from 2017 to 2024. Under Mayor Elicker's and Gormany's leadership, the City navigated through an initial steep financial deficit in 2020 and went on to produce five straight years of budget surpluses, a growing rainy-day fund, and several bonding rating upgrades. Gormany currently serves as finance director for the City of West Haven, where he helped guide West Haven's move out from under state financial oversight and chart a strong financial plan for continued growth moving forward.

Gormany has been involved in multiple boards, including on Board of Directors for the Highville Charter School & Change Academy, Treasurer and previously on the Dixwell Community House Advisory Board. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business Leadership from Albertus Magnus College and a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

"I'm excited to return to the City of New Haven as Controller and to work, once again, with Mayor Elicker, his administration, and the finance team," said incoming Controller Gormany. "I have truly enjoyed my time with the City of West Haven under Mayor Borer's leadership and her administration, and grateful for the professional growth and experience I gained during my time, especially helping the West Haven move out from under state financial oversight and chart a path forward for continued growth. I'm looking forward to returning to New Haven and, once again, serving the Elm City and its residents."

The position is currently occupied by Dr. Kristy Sampieri who is leaving city government after the completion of the position's four-year term on January 31^st. Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Rebecca Bombero will serve as Acting Controller until Gormany begins on April 6^th.

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PRESS CONTACT:

Lenny Speiller | (203) 725-4249; [email protected]