Greenwich Purchasing Director to Retire

Photo: Joan Sullivan was recognized for her service during the Nov. 5, 2015 Greenwich Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Credit: Barbaa Heins.

Town of Greenwich’s Purchasing and Administrative Services Director Joan Sullivan has announced she will retire after leading the department since 1989.

Sullivan is credited with centralizing the town’s contract development, creating a tracking system for tracking town insurance requirements and implementing a town-wide lease and contract services program.

“It is a bittersweet announcement, with the Town of Greenwich has so many talented and dedicated servants. Joan has served with with distinction for over 26 years,” said First Selectman Peter Tesei as he made the announcement at Thursday morning’s board meeting.

Sullivan was appointed by then First Selectman John Margenot in 1989.

Sullivan also is credited with monitoring commodity auctions for the purchasing of electricity, natural gas and fuel to get the best pricing for the town, according to Tesei. She is credited with saving the town more than $5 million in utility costs since 2011.

“Joan has been an exceptional director of purchasing and administrative services. She has presided over the procurement and implementation of many large scale projects and we have benefited from her meticulous management of our energy and commodities acquisitions. I wish Joan my very best for a long and happy retirement,” Tesei said.

A national search for Sullivan’s will begin immediately, Tesei said. “Joan you have the littlest big shoes to fill,” Tesei as town officials applauded her at the selectmen’s meeting.