New CFO for West Hartford Hired

West Hartford Town Manager Ron Van Winkle announced last week that Peter Privitera has been hired to replace Chris Johnson as director of Financial Services effective July 15. 

Johnson, who worked for the Town of West Hartford for 30 years, recently announced his retirement.

"West Hartford is a great community," said Privitera. He said that when he interviewed with Van Winkle and Johnson, he found the key issues in West Hartford to be very similar to those he has focused on in his current position.

Privitera, who lives in Rocky Hill, is presently the director of the Office of Policy and Management for the City of Stamford, a job he has held for more than 10  years. 

Privitera said he had been thinking about getting a job closer to home. "I've been in Stamford for 10 1/2 years. I like living in Rocky Hill and the commute was really getting to me," he said. 

He is the second manager to recently make the move to West Hartford from Stamford. Privitera said he learned of the open position from Todd Dumais who was hired as West Hartford's new town planner in April. "He told me to apply," said Privitera, adding that Dumais figured he had to be tired of the commute.

Stamford's current mayor, Mike Pavia, announced that he will not run for reelection this fall, so Privitera decided the timing was right.

"Peter [Privitera] has gone through a substantial vetting process and I am sure he will not miss a step in the transition," said Van Winkle. Several candidates were considered he said.

Prior to working in Stamford, Privitera was director of management and budget for the City of Hartford. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in public administration from the University of Hartford.

Privitera is looking forward to working with a "great team" in West Hartford. He said he will focus on "maintaing a great financial rating and status."