Greenwich Appoints New Department Of Human Services Commissioner

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo announced this week Greenwich will welcome a new commissioner to the town's department of human services next month.

In a statement released Thursday, Camillo said the board of directors voted to appoint Demetria Nelson as the department's new commissioner. She is scheduled to begin the position Aug. 24.

The vote followed an "intensive five-month search" that brought a number of qualified candidates forward, according to Camillo. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"I look forward to working with Demetria as the town continues to address and serve the needs of our most vulnerable residents," Camillo said in a statement. "I have confidence in her ability to lead the Department of Human Services and the staff in providing critical services to our residents."

Since 2016, Nelson has served as the administrative director for the BronxCare Health System's addiction treatment services, where she has been responsible for the administration and oversight of five addiction treatment programs, as well as one supplementary grant-funded TCE-HIV program.

"We believe Demetria will provide the strong leadership and vision the department of human services needs to move into the future," Board Chair Alan Gunzburg said in a statement.

Nelson succeeds Alan Barry, who is retiring after leading the department for 10 years. Barry was set to retire in May, but delayed his departure to see the department through the coronavirus pandemic and assist with the transition to a new commissioner.

"I thank Dr. Barry for his dedicated service to the town's residents during the past decade," Camillo said. "His dedication is evidenced by his unselfish decision to delay his retirement as the global pandemic took hold months ago. Under his leadership, the department has been able to provide for the growing need for services for our residents."

Gunzberg also expressed gratitude toward Barry for his work with the department over the years.

"We are indebted to Dr. Barry for his sage leadership and counsel over the years, especially in these last few months," Gunzberg said. "He raised the bar and changed the face of the Greenwich Human Services Department over the last decade, and we will be forever grateful."

The search committee worked with The Strategy Group, LLC of Darien to conduct a "focused, regional search" over the last several months. Nelson was chosen from a field of applicants during a rigorous interview process with the board, as well as town and administrative leader.

"The positive feedback from search committee members about Demetria was overwhelming," Gunzburg said. "Some of the adjectives used to describe Ms. Nelson were engaging, intelligent, conscientious, hardworking, genuine and kind."

Nelson briefly worked as a caseworker for the department from 2002-2004, and her mother, Nonia Pauline Nelson, was a home health aide several years ago.