STAMFORD – Nonprofit affordable homes provider Charter Oak Communities has hired former City of Stamford CFO Ben Barnes as its chief of staff. In this position, Barnes will work closely with CEO Vin Tufo in a senior executive capacity, leading targeted aspects of the company’s operations, corporate services, real estate development, asset management and social enterprise functions.
“Ben (Barnes) has extensive leadership and policy experience, financial management expertise and knows how to work with city and state elected officials, all of which will be an incredible asset to COC,” said Tufo. “I am expecting that he will bring his many years of professional experience to bear on a job that will use all of his skills in order to help take COC to the next level.”
Barnes, a Stratford resident, served in various high-level positions under former Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy as director of public safety, health and welfare, director of administration and director of operations.
When Malloy became governor, Barnes was appointed to an eight-year tenure as secretary of the Office of Policy & Management, a position that was key to improving Connecticut’s long term fiscal health. Barnes then went on to hold the position of vice president for Administration and CFO of Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU), improving its financial functions and operating efficiencies during the consolidation of Connecticut’s four state universities, 12 community colleges, and one online college.
He served as Stamford’s director of administration and CFO under Mayor Caroline Simmons since 2023.
“In taking this position, I will be returning to an issue that I care deeply about, and I am excited to be part of such a dynamic and innovative team,” Barnes said. “I look forward to building upon COC’s impressive record of fostering engagement among residents, nonprofits, government, and the private sector to address affordability concerns and continue providing meaningful impact on the Stamford community.”
Barnes holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Swarthmore College. He has served on the boards of directors of the Housing Development Fund and Childcare Learning Centers.
