Connecticut Gov.-elect Dan Malloy likely will wait until after his term starts to name new commissioners of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Social Services, as this afternoon he reappointed the current heads of both departments on an interim basis.
In announcing several administration appointments today, Malloy reappointed four of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s commissioners — three on an interim basis — while he conducts a national search for the right people past his Jan. 5 inaugeration.
Today, Malloy did name the new Commissioner of Agriculture and permanently reappointed the current commissioner of the Department of Banking.
On an interim basis, Malloy reappointed Commissioner Peter O’Meara of the Department of Developmental Services; Commissioner Jeffrey Parker of the Department of Transportation; and Commissioner Michael Starkowski of the Department of Social Services.
“While the search for a permanent replacement for these three commissioners continues, I appreciate their willingness to stay in their current positions to ensure the continuity of services and operations in their respective departments,” Malloy said in a statement. “It’s of the utmost importance to me that the people and communities these departments serve do not experience a disruption when one administration takes the place of another.”Â
Steven Reviczky – the executive director of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association – will be the Commissioner of Agriculture under Malloy. Reviczky previously served in the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, as a property agent for the Farmland Preservation Program.
“Steven Reviczky is well-known and well-respected in Connecticut’s agriculture community, and his leadership at the Department of Agriculture will be invaluable to the thousands of family farms across our state,” Malloy said. “Recently, his work helping to keep Connecticut’s $1.1 billion dairy industry active and vibrant has protected over 4,000 jobs and contributed to our state’s economic well-being. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Howard Pitkin – a 30-year veteran of the Department of Banking – will remain as the commissioner of the department, a position he held for more than five years under Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Before taking over as commissioner, Pitkin served as the department’s chief of administration.
“Howard Pitkin has had a long, successful tenure at the Department of Banking, and I’ve been impressed with his leadership since becoming commissioner five years ago,” Malloy said. “The Connecticut Department of Banking will play a large part in our state’s economic recovery, and I’m pleased he will continue in this role.”
