4 Finalists Named In Tolland Town Manager Search

TOLLAND, CT — The town of Tolland has narrowed the search for the next town manager to four candidates, including, a neighbor's economic development coordinator and a former high-ranking cop with local ties.

Town officials selected Texas-based Strategic Government Resources to assist the search process. In all, 17 applications from 10 states were received.

Here are the finalists:

Brian Foley

Foley has served as the Assistant to the Commissioner-State of Connecticut Department of
Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) since 2019. Prior to working for the State of Connecticut, Brian service included a variety of positions with the City of Hartford, Connecticut Police Department from 1994 – 2018 in the capacities of Deputy Chief of Police, Commander of the Major Crimes Division, Commander of the Frog/Hollow/South Green District, Commander and Investigator for the Internal Affairs Division, Patrol Supervisor, Homicide/Major Crimes Detective, Community Service Officer/Patrol Officer, and Community Outreach Advisor. He also served as a Chief Investigator for Fox 61 WTIC from 2018-2019.

Foley holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut University and is a Senior Management Graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum.

Shaun Gately

Gately has served the Town of Vernon, Connecticut for the past 11 years, and most recently has been Vernon’s Economic Development Director since 2011, with previous service as Interim Director of Planning from 2013-2015 and again from 2018-2020. He was the Co-Owner/Managing Partner with Mariner Realty, in East Hartford, Connecticut from 2003-2018, an Operations/Regional Manager with Waltham Services, LLC in Waltham, Massachusetts from 2009-2011, and Managing Partner of Private Equity Investments
with CCSR Associates, LLC in East Hartford, Connecticut from 2004-2009.

Shaun also served the Connecticut Department of Corrections from 1991-2004 in multiple positions including Correctional Lieutenant, Training Coordinator, Chemical/Impact Weapons Instructor, Correctional Emergency Response Team, and as a Correctional Officer.

Shaun is scheduled to receive a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University in September 2022 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Charter Oak State College, and an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice & Applied Science from Asnuntuck Community College.

David Johnston

He has more than 25 years of experience in city management, serving in the capacity as City
Manager in Covington, Kentucky from 2017-2021 and Maple Valley, Washington from 2009-2016. His previous experience includes serving as a public sector consultant from 2008-2009, as Village Administrator of Rantoul, Illinois from 2004-2008, Town Manager of Westfield, Indiana from 2000-2003, and as Village Administrator of Coal City, Illinois from 1997-2000. His earlier foundational experience included work as Administrative Director for the Indiana Health Centers, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana, Director of Stewardship for the Diocese of Gary, in Merrillville, Indiana, and Director of Transportation Planning Office for the State of Indiana.

David holds a master’s degree in Public Affairs from the Indiana University, a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma-Economic Development Institute. He has also been a Credentialed Manager with the International City/County Management Association since 2006.

Willie Morales

He has served as City Administrator for the City of Appleton, Minnesota since 2019. His previous public management service includes work as Town Administrator for the Town of Northfield, Massachusetts from 2017-2018, Shared Town Administrator for the Towns of Monterey & Sandisfield, Massachusetts from 2016-2017, and as City Management Intern with the City of Hudson, Iowa from 2013- 2015. His other positions include service as a Loan Officer with Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa from 2012-2013 and as a Lending Analyst with Bullfrog Builders, College Point, New York from 2008-2013.

Willie holds a master’s degree in in Public Policy from the University of Northern Iowa and is scheduled to receive a master’s degree in Accounting from Merrimack College in May 2022. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Northern Iowa and is a Massachusetts Certified Procurement Officer.

The Town Council initially identified nine semifinalists who completed detailed questionnaires and pre-recorded video interviews, from which the final four Finalists were selected to participate in the upcoming interviews scheduled in Tolland on May 18 and 19.

The interview process will include the candidates meeting with the Town Council Members and senior staffers for an informal welcome breakfast, followed by community tours and interview sessions with the senior staff.

The public is invited to meet the finalists at a community meet and greet scheduled for May 18 from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. at the Tolland Library Community Room at 21 Tolland Green.

The Town Council will interview each Finalist in closed sessions on May 19 and deliberate regarding the final candidate to be selected for the post.

Tolland Town Council Chair Steven Jones said, "The Town Council and I welcome our Finalists to our community where they will see our community firsthand and meet with senior staff and our Town Council. We encourage our residents and stakeholders to meet and engage with the town manager finalists at the public meet and greet on Wednesday evening to welcome them to our community, and we look forward to getting to know each of them better over the two-day onsite interview process."