First Selectman Gerber appoints Harris Fairfield CFO

FAIRFIELD – First Selectman Bill Gerber named former Time Warner and Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut CFO Tom Harris the town’s new CFO after a near year-long search.

Gerber, who made the announcement Tuesday, Jan. 7, said Harris has replaced the interim CFO David Becker. Harris joins the town as a seasoned finance executive with expertise in addressing complex financial, strategic, risk management, governance, and operational challenges, Gerber said.

In addition to Time Warner Inc. and the Jewish Federation, Harris has served in executive leadership roles, primarily as CFO, in several public, private, and non-profit organizations, including The Associated Press.

“Our lengthy search for the right person to maintain Fairfield’s fiscal health and ensure transparency and compliance with state and federal regulations has led us to Tom Harris,” Gerber said in a prepared statement. “He joins us as we begin the budget process for 2025-2026, where he will play a leadership role in managing the effective use of taxpayer funds. We have a number of capital projects that demand excellent fiscal management and oversight, where his experience will be a major asset, alongside our team.”

In his new position in Fairfield, Harris will oversee the town’s financial operations, including preparing financial statements and reporting; overseeing audits; supervising the collection of taxes, fees and revenues; and monitoring town expenditures. He will also be responsible for long-term financial planning, and ensuring that taxpayer funds are used responsibly.

“I am honored to join Bill’s team as CFO, and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the team to enhance the Town’s financial strategies and support its growth,” Harris said.

In his many roles, Harris has led the entire portfolio of accounting and finance functions and several operating functions, including acting as controller. He has a history of mentoring finance teams and emphasizing cross-functional collaboration.

He began his career with PwC in New York City, becoming a senior audit manager serving public, private, and non-profit clients. He is a CPA, licensed in Connecticut and New York. He has a B.S. degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University and an M.B.A. from Long Island University.

Becker was named interim CFO replacing Jared Schmitt, who left for a similar position for the City of Norwalk. Additionally, Becker was named Fairfield COO in June 2024. He will remain in that position.