David Panagore, top lieutenant to Hartford Mayor Pedro E. Segarra, is quitting his post as chief operating officer to “move to another opportunity.” City Corporation Counsel Saundra Kee Borges moves into the job temporarily.
Panagore held the job since 2008, dating to the tenure of disgraced Mayor Eddie Perez.
His last day is Sept. 14.
In an interview, Panagore said it was his decision to resign. He said his departure will allow Segarra to put his own stamp on his inner circle.
“I gave it a lot of thought and I determined I accomplished what I intended to accomplish,” Panagore said. “It’s time to move onto another opportunity. This was my decision and I am happy to leave.”
Panagore said he does not have another job lined up and will be weighing his options for jobs in the public or private sector.
In a written statement, Segarra said “David played an important role upon my taking office in 2010.”
Borges, who served as city manager during the days of the weak-mayor leadership format, will serve as interim COO until a replacement is found, Segarra said.
Meantime, Segarra said the rest of his inner circle — Chief of Staff Jared Kupiec and Jose Colon-Rivas, who is special advisor and director of the city Department of Families, Children, Youth and Recreation, remains intact.
