Winchester Narrows Town Manager Search To Four Finalists

The Town Manager Search Advisory Committee at Monday night’s Selectmen meeting presented a list of four finalists to the Board of Selectmen for consideration as

The board plans on holding interviews with the candidates – Andrew R. Bisignani, Richard C. Howard, Andrew W. Maylor and Thomas G. Younger – next Wednesday, Oct. 5.

“We are offering the Board of Selectmen a range of choices, who each bring significant experience, demonstrated success, and enthusiasm for municipal management,” said Committee Chairman, Bob Joy.

According to Joy, each of the four candidates has served for nine or more years as chief executive officer for a Massachusetts community. And each candidate possesses an advanced degree in business administration, public administration or law.

“We are recommending these applicants in part for the experiences they bring to the table in basic town managerial functions such as budgeting, contract negotiation and capital maintenance and management,” Joy said. “But they also offer qualities emphasized in the search criteria, such as navigating varied constituencies, developing and managing employees, strategic and financial thinking, and relationship and team building.

“We are eager for the community to get to know these highly qualified professionals.”

The Board of Selectmen will now begin its process of reviewing and interviewing the finalists. After holding one-hour interviews next week, the board plans on spending the week of October 17 visiting each of the candidates’ towns, according to Selectman Thomas Howley. And the week of October 31, the four candidates will stop by Winchester to meet town employees and officials.

Winchester has been without a Town Manager since June 2010 when they elected not to renew the contract of . Town Clerk,

On April 7, 2011, the to the position, but after a few days

The finalists

Andrew R. Bisignani

Bisignani has more than 30 years of experience and has been employed as the Town Manager of Saugus since 2002. Prior to serving in Saugus, Bisignani held positions in the City of Revere, including Chief Financial Officer, City Auditor and Purchasing Agent (collectively more than 25 years). He also chaired the Revere Retirement Board.

Bisignani is a member of the National Society of Public Accountants.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Richard C. Howard

Howard is currently the Mayor of the City of Malden. He has been the Mayor of Malden since 1996, and is not seeking reelection. As Mayor he serves as the School Committee Chairperson.

Prior to serving as Mayor, Howard had a law practice providing representation to business-oriented clients, including banking and real estate development. He also represented clients before local board and commissions.

Mayor Howard is a member of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, United States Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities and other local organizations.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Juris Doctor Degree.

Andrew W. Maylor

Maylor has 26 years of professional experience, 18 of which have been in municipal government. For the last nine years he has been the Town Administrator in Swampscott. For six years prior to serving in Swampscott, Maylor worked as the City Auditor, Director of Administration and Finance (Chief Financial Officer) and the Deputy City Manager of Chelsea, Massachusetts.  Earlier in his career he served as a Town Accountant. Before becoming involved in local government Mr. Maylor worked as a Chief Accountant and an Accounting Manager/Financial Analyst in the business sector.

Maylor is a member of the International City/County Management Association and has received the designation of Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM).  He serves as the Chair, Board of Directors, Essex Regional Retirement System.  

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Thomas G. Younger

Younger has 30 years of experience in local and state government. He has been the Town Administrator in Belmont since 2005. Prior to becoming the Town Administrator in Belmont he served as the Town Administrator of North Reading, Massachusetts for ten years. Younger worked for 10 years at the Massachusetts Division of Capital Planning where he managed the disposal and acquisition of state property. Earlier in his career he served as the Executive Secretary (chief appointed administrator) in Norton, Massachusetts and Town Accountant/Clerk to the Board of Selectmen in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts.

Younger is a member of the International City/County Management Association, and the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association, where he is on the Executive Board. He is a member of the Governor’s Local Government Advisory Committee.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.