Patch Candidate Profile: Amy Ruggiero, Board Of Finance

FAIRFIELD, CT — Election Day is approaching fast, and a number of key positions in Fairfield will be on the ballot, including Board of Selectman, Board of Education, Board of Finance, RTM and others.

To help readers make an informed decision on Nov. 7, Fairfield Patch has reached out to local candidates to share their views on various topics of importance in town.

Patch will post these candidate profiles over the next few weeks, so check back often to see the latest.

Name

Amy Ruggiero

How old will you be as of Election Day?

51

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.fairfieldrtc.com/bof-candidates

What city or town do you live in?

Fairfield

What office are you seeking?

Board of Finance

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

N/A

Please give us your party affiliation.

Republican

Education.

Pace University, Bachelor's Degree, Accounting

What is your occupation?

Finance Professional - Audit, Controllership and Financial Planning and Analysis, 25+ years

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

I have two children. A daughter who is 18 and a son who is 13.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I am currently serving on the RTM, representing District 1. I have been on the RTM since September 2020.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I have always loved my career and feel incredibly blessed to do something every day that I am passionate about. I also love the town of Fairfield. This role allows me to combine the two.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is taxes. I intend to approach the town budget, which continues to face rising costs, with fiscal conservativeness. We need to identify cost savings or have a larger base to spread the tax burden.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have held a variety of finance roles throughout my career. I started my career in auditing. Working for KPMG for approx. 5 years. Following that, I joined a startup and built a team and operations from the ground up, both domestically and internationally.

I then joined General Electric where I worked for approx. 15 years. At GE I held various roles both at Corporate and Capital, splitting my years of service between Controllership and Financial Planning and Analysis.

I am currently the Director of Accounting, working for a consumer products company.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I respect any candidate, no matter the party, that is willing to put themselves out there to serve the community. I think it is especially important on the Board of Finance to be non-partisan. Our loyalty is to the community we serve.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I intend to the do the following while on the Board of Finance:

- Protect and expand senior tax relief
- Continue to streamline the budget
- Invest wisely in education
- Continue to improve senior services
- Uphold our AAA bond rating
- Employ forward-thinking financial strategies

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Successful finance professional who consistently managed numerous employees and worked in a team environment. Single mom who knows how to multitask, effectively communicate, and achieve results.

My experience on the RTM, coupled with my role on the Finance Committee provides me with the experience to effectively navigate local government procedures.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Get comfortable being uncomfortable...you need to push yourself to do and be better.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am an experienced, dedicated, and passionate person. I have been an active member of the Fairfield community, which I LOVE, for over 2 decades. From class mom to Girl Scout leader to Fairfield Youth Football team mom.

I joined the RTM because I wanted to ensure our beautiful town continues to thrive and remains a desirable town to not only raise children in but grow old.

It is very important to me to be involved and lead by example. I try to be a role model to my children. I show them that when you believe in something, it is critical not sit back and complain or judge, but to be part of the solution and try to drive the change you want to see.