Hamden Mayor Sendroff Announces Chief Of Staff For New Administration

HAMDEN, CT — Hamden Mayor Adam Sendroff has named Bobbye Knoll Peterson as Chief of Staff in the first appointment of his administration, pending approval of the Legislative Council.

Peterson has served as Chief of Staff in Middletown since 2019 and has also been serving as Middletown’s Interim Public Works Director since March. She previously served as Middletown’s Acting Director of Economic and Community Development from 2022-2023, and has “extensive experience as an organizer and director of community-based nonprofits,” according to a news release.

“As we embark on new leadership for Hamden, finding a Chief of Staff with extensive experience was my top priority,” Sendroff said. “We will immediately face tough fiscal challenges, and Bobbye’s knowledge of multiple departments will be extremely helpful.

Sendroff also said that “Middletown has done a great job of navigating its town-gown relationship with Wesleyan University, and I expect she will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build successful partnerships with Quinnipiac University.”

Peterson said she was “excited to join the team in Hamden.”

“Hamden is a gorgeous and diverse community with deep engagement from residents,” she said. “Mayor Sendroff is realistic about the challenges that face Hamden. The mayor also has a vision for Hamden that I look forward to helping him bring to fruition.”

Peterson joined the town on Monday, Dec. as acting Chief of Staff until her appointment is approved by the Legislative Council.