By Bill Slocum, Contributing Editor
First Selectman Peter Tesei announced the appointment of a new communications director Thursday – one with extensive experience covering town affairs.
Barbara Heins, founding editor of Greenwich Patch and a regular presence in town media for the last five years, assumes her new role as Executive Assistant to the First Selectman March 28.
In a prepared statement, Tesei noted Heins’ seasoned background as a factor in her appointment.
“As a longtime Greenwich resident and journalist, Barbara possesses a wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, and familiarity with the Town’s governmental processes and diverse neighborhoods,” Tesei said. “Those assets make her a valuable addition to my staff as we continue our work to grow Greenwich’s valued reputation as a premier town to work, live, and raise a family.”
Heins’s role will include managing communications for Tesei, a Republican serving his fifth term as Greenwich’s chief executive. She will also work as a liaison for Tesei with town department heads, elected officials, and the community at large. She will also be charged with developing the town’s social-media presence as well as the administration of the Office of First Selectman.
At Greenwich Patch, Heins has covered town government, education, public safety, business, and other areas of concern. During the same period, she also managed eight other local Patch sites in Connecticut. Heins’ extensive journalism background includes stints at The Advocate of Stamford as an assignments editor and at Greenwich Time as a senior arts writer.
Heins was chosen for the executive assistant position after a nationwide search that included 31 applicants and interviews with five finalists. The search followed the departure late last year of Tesei’s prior executive assistant, Michael Rosen, who left to take up the post of assistant town manager in Bedford, Massachusetts.
Please read next week’s Greenwich Sentinel for further coverage.
