Press Releases
GOV. MALLOY ANNOUNCES DAS COMMISSIONER DEFRONZO TO RETIRE IN JANUARY, APPOINTS DMV COMMISSIONER CURREY TO LEAD DAS
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has been informed by Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Commissioner Donald DeFronzo that he intends to leave the position in January to retire. The Governor also announced that he intends to appoint current DMV Commissioner Melody Currey to serve as commissioner of DAS when his second term begins on January 7.
"Don and his management team have carried out our mission to streamline state services with professionalism and dedication," said Governor Malloy. "Under his leadership, DAS has identified millions in savings and made state government run more efficiently so that it can better serve the public. I want to thank Don for his commitment to making government work better for our citizens, and also commend him on a remarkable career of public service."
Commissioner DeFronzo began the position
in January 2011
.
"I am grateful to Governor Malloy for the opportunity to serve in his Administration. We have accomplished a great deal at DAS over the last four years, including implementing effective management practices, achieving significant process improvements and developing innovative strategies that have helped save the taxpayers of Connecticut $68 million," Commissioner DeFronzo said. "In the last four years, DAS has transacted thousands of bids and contracts for goods and services; executed hundreds of bids for construction contractors and consultants and dozens of leases and licenses and other transactions totaling between $900 million and $1 billion annually and has not experienced one claim of ethical misconduct."
Governor Malloy added, "I am also proud to announce that Melody Currey, who has also helped make state government more accessible to residents, will succeed Don as Commissioner of DAS. Melody has successfully implemented changes that have allowed the DMV to upgrade antiquated technology systems and will bring a wealth of modernization expertise to her new role at DAS."
Commissioner Currey began the position as the head of the state's DMV
in 2011
. She stated, "I am looking forward my new appointment at DAS and working with the staff to move the agency forward. My four years at DMV brought about many changes that created a more effective department for people and businesses. I have those same goals for DAS."
Over the last four years, Commissioner DeFronzo oversaw and managed the consolidation of three major state agencies and major components of two other agencies into DAS. The new agency became a wide-ranging administrative entity with responsibility for information technology in state government, design and construction of state facilities, statewide human resources, procurement of goods and services for public purposes, collection of debt owed to the state, building and fire code enforcement and school construction grants to municipalities, among many other functions.
Specifically, DAS has achieved:
-
In the agency consolidation, an overall staff reduction of 43 positions and an annual administrative cost saving of approximately $2.5 million.
-
A tight budgetary discipline and recognition of the state's budgetary constraints resulting in the lapse of over $11.4 million in budgeted funds.
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$40 million in direct savings and new revenue resulting from strengthened procurement techniques, more aggressive bidding procedures, lease consolidations, and use of new technology.
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The substantial improvement of the state's information technology infrastructure that delivered collaborative interagency solutions throughout state government.
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The streamlining of the construction selection process and initiating over $300 million in projects in 2014 as compared to less than $100 million in 2010 with approximately the same number of staff.
Under Commissioner Currey's leadership, the DMV has made significant progress towards streamlining services and modernizing its systems, such as:
-
Developed online portal for customer services starting with appointments for learner's permits statewide. No more waiting in line for them.
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Broadened customer choice for service offices by listing online the real-time waits at each.
-
Increased from 10 locations to over 200 statewide where required vehicle identification checks can be done.
-
Reduced managerial staffing by 20 percent.
-
Improved customer access to a variety of services by eliminating unnecessary rules and requirements (LEAN process).
Governor Malloy will announce a successor to serve as DMV Commissioner in the coming weeks.
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For Immediate Release: December 12, 2014
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