Gov. Ned Lamont has named a public affairs consultant from outside of his administration as his new communications director.
Cathryn Vaulman, founder and principal of Rook Point Strategies in Southbury, has been chosen to succeed the former director, Rob Blanchard.
Blanchard has left the administration after announcing on April 1 that he would seek the seat being vacated by Sen. Tony Hwang (D-Fairfield), who is stepping down after five terms in the state Senate representing the 28th District.
Blanchard is seeking the seat again after losing to Hwang in 2024.
In an emailed statement sent Monday morning, David Bednarz, senior press secretary for Lamont, said Blanchard “has transitioned out of his role” as Lamont’s communications director and that “Cathryn Vaulman has begun serving in the position.”
No other information about Vaulman was provided.
According to her LinkedIn profile, Vaulman spent three years as vice president of public affairs for SKDK, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs and political consulting firm that specializes in working for Democratic politicians.
She has a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Northwestern University.
According to the state’s OpenPayroll website, Blanchard was paid a salary of about $167,000. Vaulman is not yet listed in that database.
