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Mayor Segarra Appoints Chief Of Staff, Acting Budget Director

By JENNA CARLESSO

December 15, 2010

Mayor Pedro Segarra has appointed a former campaign official for Ned Lamont as his chief of staff

Jared W. Kupiec, 27, was a deputy campaign manager for Lamont, who lost the Democratic primary for governor in August to Dan Malloy. Kupiec also worked as campaign manager for David Zoni, who lost the 16th Senate District race in 2006, as a political action committee treasurer for state Rep. Ryan Barry, D-Manchester, and as a paralegal and office manager for the Hartford-based Katz and Seligman law firm.

He starts his new job as chief of staff today.

"Mr. Kupiec has extensive legislative and private sector experience that will highlight Hartford's business portfolio and help leverage an urban agenda in regards to job creation," Segarra said.

Kupiec replaces Jose Colon-Rivas, who was appointed acting chief of staff shortly after Segarra took office in late June. Colon-Rivas had been serving dual roles, as acting chief of staff and as executive director of the Office for Young Children. He will continue his responsibilities with the Office for Young Children and remain an adviser to the mayor, city officials said.

The mayor also named Julio Molleda as acting director of management and budget, replacing Rick Galarza. Galarza has applied for a voluntary retirement incentive program. His last day will be Dec. 31.

Molleda currently serves as the chief financial officer for the Hartford Public Library. He will work temporarily as the city's budget director until a search for a new budget director is complete, said David Panagore, the city's chief operating officer. The search will be conducted next year, he said.

"Before Rick Galarza's departure we wanted to make sure we had a person in place," Panagore said. "We're trying to keep the lights on and the city moving while going as fast as we can."