Media Pro Rich Coppola Named East Haven Director of Admin/Management

EAST HAVEN, CT — Mayor Joseph A. Carfora has appointed of Rich Coppola as the Director of Administration and Management and Economic Development for the Town of East Haven.

A well-known and respected figure in Connecticut media for decades, Coppola is an East Haven High School graduate who brings with him a broad scope of experience along with extensive state and regional contacts.

"Rich Coppola is a well-respected distinguished professional, and someone with contacts across many sectors," Carfora said. "Rich has always been proud of his connection to our community, that combined with his wide-ranging experience, make him the ideal person to help drive East Haven’s economic development forward."

Coppola’s 40-year career includes a long tenure at Fox-61 in Hartford and, most recently, at WTNH. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Emmy nominations.

"Returning to East Haven feels like the culmination of a journey that started right here," Coppola said. "After an incredible career in media, I’m eager to apply what I’ve learned, and use the relationships that I have cultivated throughout my career to help my hometown continue to grow and thrive."

An active community member, Coppola is a founding member of Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence, and works with several charities, including the Ryan Gordon Circle of Giving and In a Heartbeat, a foundation that provides automatic external defibrillators to schools, organizations, and businesses.

Coppola graduated from East Haven High School in 1976 and the University of New Haven in 1980. He has been inducted into the East Haven Alumni Association Hall of Fame and the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.