Familiar Face Appointed New Town Administrator In Vernon

VERNON, CT — The Town of Vernon has a new town administrator and it's a familiar face.

The Town Council Tuesday evening unanimously approved Mayor Dan Champagne's appointment of John W. Kleinhans as Vernon's next town administrator. Kleinhans, 35, currently serves as Vernon's finance officer and treasurer.

He assumed the new position Wednesday.

The position became vacant when Michael Purcaro left the post to take an executive position with the Mashantucket Tribal Nation.

A selection committee of town council members, town managers from nearby communities and Vernon's assistant town administrator and human resources director interviewed several candidates for the position and forwarded the top candidates to Champagne.

Prior to coming to Vernon, Kleinhans served in multiple roles for the city of Danbury, including assistant director of finance and government affairs and communications adviser. He holds a graduate certificate in public financial management from the University of Connecticut's School of Public Policy, a Master of Public Administration from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science from Lyndon State College.

Kleinhans was born and raised in Vernon and attended the Vernon Public Schools.

"John grew up in Vernon, loves our town and has now risen to the position of town administrator," Mayor Champagne said. "That to me is the ideal candidate, and he'll be a great town administrator."

Kleinhans said he was honored.

"I am excited to have this opportunity to lead the town that I love," Kleinhans said. "I grew up in Vernon and have a keen understanding of its strengths and what makes it a great community to work and live in. I am grateful to Mayor Champagne and the town council for their support and for giving me this opportunity to help lead Vernon into the future."

On Wednesday morning, Champagne signed a four-year employment contract with Kleinhans. The salary is $159,500 yearly.