Wilton Appoints New Chief Financial Officer After Regional Search

WILTON, CT — Wilton officials have appointed longtime municipal finance professional Dawn Marie Savo as the town’s new chief financial officer, concluding what First Selectman Toni Boucher described as an “exhaustive and thorough search.” Her first day is Monday.

The Board of Selectmen approved the hiring before an official offer was extended, Boucher said in an announcement Monday.

Savo brings more than three decades of experience in municipal finance, most recently serving as Stratford’s finance director. She oversaw a staff of 21 during her five years in the role, after previously serving as the community’s assistant finance director. Before that, she worked eight years as Trumbull’s assistant finance director and risk manager.

Savo began her municipal career in Bridgeport, progressing through multiple finance positions, including financial manager of central grants.

Her technical background includes oversight of federal grant applications, budget and treasury management, pension and OPEB accounts, capital planning and debt issuance, and preparation of annual audits and financial reports. She is also experienced in supervising and training staff on the Munis financial software platform.

Savo earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating summa cum laude from Fairfield University. She serves as first vice president of the Government Finance Officers Association of Connecticut and is a standing committee member for the national GFOA, focusing on treasury and investment management.

The move comes after a rocky stretch in Town Hall after previous CFO Dawn Norton resigned in August, following the revelation she had also been working full-time as a town administrator in Wyoming.

Boucher said Savo’s “considerable experience in municipal finance” and commitment to strong financial controls, accurate reporting and responsive service made her well suited for the role.