Press Release - First Selectman Named CIRMA's New Board Chairman

CIRMA Announces New Chairman of the Board

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Apr. 1, 2024 /For Immediate Release/ -- Local leading public entity insurance provider, Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) announced that Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. was elected Chairman of CIRMA’s Board of Directors, effective March 28, 2024. First Selectman Fortuna formerly served as CIRMA’s Vice-Chairman of CIRMA’s Board of Directors since 2021.

Outgoing Chairman of the Board Matthew Knickerbocker will continue to serve on CIRMA’s Board of Directors, the Executive Committee of the Board, and the organization’s Claims Advisory Committee. Knickerbocker, Wilton Town Administrator, joined CIRMA’s Board in 2017 and has held the position of Board Chair since 2020.

David Demchak, CIRMA President and CEO, said, “We would like to express our deep appreciation for Matt and his outstanding leadership during his tenure as Chairman of CIRMA’s Board of Directors. Matt has been instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation, pushing boundaries, and embracing new ideas that have allowed CIRMA to thrive.”

Turning to the appointment of First Selectman Fortuna, David Demchak said, "Carl’s extensive leadership experience, coupled with his deep municipal operations background and finance and legal expertise, make him the right choice to lead our board today. As outgoing vice chair, standing executive committee chair, and an operations and underwriting committee member, the depth and breadth of his experience have enriched our performance as a board and organization over the years. I am confident that his leadership will ensure CIRMA maintains its reputation as a trusted partner to its members while providing unmatched insurance, risk management, and claims, products, services, and expertise and continuing to deliver on its track record of sustainable, profitable growth and consistent value creation for all its stakeholders.”

Mr. Fortuna is a seasoned business leader in his seventh term as First Selectman in Old Saybrook. He joined the CIRMA Board of Directors in 2020, serving as Vice Chairman since 2021. Born in Middletown, Connecticut, First Selectman Fortuna serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations, including Materials Innovation Recycling Authority (MIRA), Dissolution Authority (formerly MIRA), the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the leading legislative advocate for Connecticut’s towns and cities; and the Council of Small Towns (COST). He also serves as the treasurer for the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments.