Mansfield/Storrs Patch's Barbara Heins to Join Greenwich First Selectman's Office

Mansfield/Storrs Patch Editor Barbara Heins has been hired to serve as the executive assistant to Greenwich First Selectman Peter J. Tesei.

Heins, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist with more than 35 years of experience, will coordinate the town’s communications for Tesei’s office.

She will also serve as a liaison between Town Hall, residents and officials. Tesei announced the news in a statement Thursday.

Heins, a Greenwich resident, has covered all facets of Greenwich news, events, human interest, and weather since Greenwich Patch opened back in 2010.

“Babs has been an integral part of Patch, first covering solely Greenwich and then several towns in Connecticut,” said Patch National Editor Todd Richissin. “Her integrity has been unquestioned for good reason and her commitment to the truth has been unmatched in journalism. We are sad to lose her but will always consider her part of the Patch family — even when she gives us hell, which we’ll count on whenever deserved.”

A total of 31 people interviewed for the position and there were five finalists, Tesei said.

Heins said she is very excited about this next chapter in her life, which begins March 28. She also added that she’ll always cherish her time at Patch.

"Working as a journalist, I have been a witness to the inner workings of Town government and the daily activities in Greenwich for many years," Heins said. "I believe it is a natural extension to use my organizational and communication skills by becoming a participant in the governmental process in the Town I have called home for more than 30 years.”

Heins is a former Night City Editor and Assignments Editor of The Advocate of Stamford where she oversaw a staff of 14 reporters and was responsible for the daily news coverage for the newspaper.

During her career as a reporter, Heins also won numerous Society of Professional Journalists awards.

She also served as the Senior Arts Writer for Greenwich Time newspaper responsible for coverage of Greenwich’s vibrant arts community.

“As a long-time 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 in a statement. "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 earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from St. Bonaventure University and an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Hudson Valley Community College.