NORTH HAVEN, CT — After nearly 17 years as North Haven's first selectman, Michael Freda publicly announced Thursday that he may leave Town Hall early next year after receiving an unexpected offer to become CEO of a major company.
Speaking during the Aug. 6 Board of Selectmen meeting, Freda said he received an offer to lead what he described as the sixth-largest company in its sector in the United States. He said he could not identify the company because of a nondisclosure agreement and that the employment contract is still being finalized.
"I had never anticipated this job offer coming," Freda said. "There were times when I got approached for jobs but I always turned them down because I always loved being North Haven's first selectman, I loved the people and I loved the mission."
"But there is a very good chance that I'll be signing the contract and leaving," he said.
If the agreement is finalized, Freda said he expects to leave office during the first week of January 2027, giving the town about five months to prepare for a transition. He said a formal announcement would follow if he signs the final agreement.
Freda, who was elected to a ninth term in November 2025 after running unopposed, has served as first selectman for nearly 17 years.
He said he plans to spend the coming months working through the transition while continuing to oversee roughly 15 to 25 economic development projects currently underway in North Haven.
If Freda steps down, the town would follow the process established in its charter to select his replacement.
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