Buono was one of three qualified candidates that were forwarded to Mayor Sarno by the CAFO Screening Committee. She has over 33 years of extensive experience as a senior financial and administrative officer working closely with nearly every aspect within city government, including being instrumental working with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helping to re-establishing a strong working relationship with the federal agency. Ms. Buono has also served as an important administrator for the city’s neighborhood revitalization strategies and economic development plans.
Mayor Sarno states, “First, I want to thank CAFO review committee chair Haskell Kennedy and all of the members for their efforts and for thoroughly reviewing the qualified candidates for this vital and important position. Also, thank you to all of the qualified candidates that applied and for their interest in serving the City of Springfield. Our goal throughout has been a fair and open process was to find the best candidate to be able to continue to advance our strong, sound, stable and award-winning fiscal management policies that have defined my administration. Policies that have helped to bring our city out of junk bond status and near bankruptcy to where we are today. The highest bond rating in the city’s history, a healthy stabilization reserve account to guard against any economic uncertainty, and innovative investment policies and initiatives that allow my administration to capitalize on our smart decisions to continue to provide relief to our residents and business community and invest into our local operations and services. Someone that can also be comfortable and reach outside of financial matters and tap into economic development projects and opportunities, and neighborhood projects and enhancements.”
“While reviewing all of the qualified candidates, one in particular stood out,” Mayor Sarno continued. “Cathy Buono, a lifelong Springfield resident, has an extensive 33 years of financial and administrative experience, working closely with myself, my administration and with nearly every municipal department, and our neighborhoods. She has served as my administrations key contact for our local dealings with HUD, where she was instrumental in cultivating and enhancing our relationship with this federal agency and making sure all of the federal guidelines and requirements are met. She brings tremendous institutional and financial knowledge and will be able to ‘hit the ground running’. She possesses stellar leadership qualities and has a no-nonsense approach with a proven track record. Her ability to hit deadlines in a fast-paced and result oriented environment is commendable. She also has strong experience working with all levels of government, federal, state and local, and has substantial experience with economic development, fiscal policies, neighborhood improvements and meeting deadlines, all key elements for serving as our next CAFO. I have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead our city as the next CAFO and continue to implement the strong, sound, stable and sustainable fiscal management policies that have defined my administration.”
“I want to also thank acting CAFO Patrick Burns for his efforts during this transition period. Pat did a tremendous job during these past few months and will no doubt help make Cathy’s transition as seamless as possible,” said Mayor Sarno.
Cathy Buono stated, “I want to thank Mayor Sarno for his confidence in my abilities. As a lifelong resident of Springfield, I love working for my city and I am excited for this new opportunity. I am looking forward to stepping into this position and continuing to build upon the great foundation that has already been built by Mayor Sarno, former CAFO TJ Plante, acting CAFO Pat Burns and the tremendous team in our Finance Department. As we enter the city’s fiscal budget season, I am also looking forward to working closely with Mayor Sarno and all of our department heads so that we can provide the best services and programs possible for our residents and business community.”
“First, I want to thank my fellow committee members for their efforts in reviewing and screening the candidates to serve as our city’s next CAFO. This was a fair and open process. Collectively we forwarded the most qualified candidates to the Mayor for consideration and I am confident in the selection the Mayor has made,” said Haskell Kennedy, Chair of CAFO Screening Committee.
Following Buono’s appointment to CAFO, acting CAFO Patrick Burns, who did not seek the position, will return to his previous position as Comptroller.
