On April 1, the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA) announced that Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna had been elected chairman of CIRMA’s Board of Directors.

According to its website, CIRMA was formed in 1980 to “meet Connecticut municipalities’ risk management and risk financing needs of boards of education and local public agencies.” The agency serves about 90% of Connecticut’s public sector market.

Fortuna has served as CIRMA’s vice chairman of the board of directors since 2021, but effective March 28, he was named chairman.

In a press release announcing the move, CIRMA President and CEO David Demchak said, “Carl’s extensive leadership experience, coupled with his deep municipal operations background and finance and legal expertise, make him the right choice to lead our board today.”

Demchak went on to praise Fortuna’s knowledge and expertise, which he has demonstrated as a member of the agency.

“I am confident that his leadership will ensure CIRMA maintains its reputation as a trusted partner to its members while providing unmatched insurance, risk management, and claims, products, services, and expertise and continuing to deliver on its track record of sustainable, profitable growth and consistent value creation for all its stakeholders,” his statement continued.

Fortuna explained to the Harbor News he has had a long career and interest in the insurance industry.

“I started my career in New York defending doctors and hospitals on behalf of insurance companies and have always been interested in the insurance market. I have served as chair of CIRMA’s investment committee for a few years now and soon became vice-chair of the CIRMA board of directors and then was appointed chair when the current chair termed out. I was happy to take over this position because of the importance of CIRMA to Old Saybrook and all the member agencies it insures,” Fortuna said.

While praising the “stability” and “leadership” of CIRMA, Fortuna noted that the agency is a non-profit and that it keeps the premiums for public agencies in check.

“Old Saybrook has been with CIRMA for over two decades and has enjoyed CIRMA’s approach to pricing its workers’ compensation, liability, auto, and property. The role is an important leadership position, and I look forward to working with Dave Demchak, CIRMA’s president and CEO, for the benefit of our town and other public agencies,” Fortuna said.

When asked about initiatives the agency will be working on going forward, Fortuna pointed to the advocacy CIRMA is involved in.

“As for projects and initiatives, CIRMA, through CCM, vigorously advocates at the State Capitol against the myriad of bad laws proposed by our legislature every year, laws that will significantly increase municipal costs in the form of mandates and higher local property taxes,” Fortuna said.

In addition to the new role with CIRMA Fortuna is also a member of the boards of directors of the Materials Innovation Recycling Authority, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the leading legislative advocate for Connecticut’s towns and cities; and the Council of Small Towns, and is the treasurer for the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. Additionally, Fortunas is in his seventh term as the First Selectman of Old Saybrook.