This story has been updated with more background information regarding the former Town human resources director Cathleen Simpson.
FAIRFIELD — First Selectperson Christine Vitale has hired a human resources director on the day she hopes to keep her job in a special election and five days after delivering the State of the Town address where she mentioned the upheaval in that department.
The Town of Fairfield has hired Regina Williams of New Milford as the director of human resources. In her new role, Williams, former director of human resources for New York Medical College, will oversee all aspects of the Town of Fairfield’s workforce administration and labor relations.
The director serves as a key member of the executive leadership team, advising the First Selectperson, department heads, and town boards on personnel policy, organizational strategy, and compliance with state and federal employment laws. Williams will play a vital role in recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, training, and working collaboratively with labor unions that represent town employees, according to a press release.
Williams replaces Cathleen Simpson, who left last year after a worker named the town’s IT department, the Town of Fairfield and others in a FOIA request following an issue with an alleged assault on that worker. Matthew Waggner, the registrar of voters, was trying to get a copy of Town CCTV footage of an alleged assault on him. In June 2025, the state FOIA Commission found in Waggner’s favor and fined Simpson $100 for not releasing the footage.
First Selectperson Vitale, a Democrat who faces Republican state Sen. Tony Hwang in a special election today, said that Williams brings both strong credentials and a well-rounded professional background to the role.
“Gina’s experience in both the private and public sectors makes her exceptionally well-suited for this position,” Vitale said. “She understands the importance of collaborative contract negotiations, fair labor practices, and supporting employees so they can do their best work for Fairfield residents.”
In a GOP rebuttal, RTM Minority Leader Peter Britton criticized Vitale’s administration for the turnover in both the human resources and finance departments.
During her address on Thursday, Jan. 29, Vitale made mention of progress being made in the human resources department.
“We have a great team who bring fresh ideas, energy and the experience needed to move key initiatives forward,” she said. “When I took office, I immediately brought in Lee Palmer, an experienced human resources professional, to advise on recruitment and HR policies and procedures.”
In her role, Williams was an important part of New York Medical College Chancellor Edward Halperin’s senior leadership, and was responsible for modernizing the college’s HR functions, bringing them into line with 21st century best practices. She also has years of substantial experience in the public sector; she served the Town of Greenwich for 17 years as assistant director of human resources for Greenwich Public Schools.
Williams earned a MS in human resources management at the UConn School of Business, and her credentials as a senior certified professional from the National Society for Human Resources Management.
