Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth has announced that Maria E. Capriola, former Mansfield Assistant Town Manager and Simsbury’s first Town Manager, will be returning to the Mansfield community as Chief of Shared Services and Administration, a newly created role.
Ms. Capriola will provide oversight of and counsel to multiple shared services departments and programs, including Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Facilities, Public Health, and Information Technology within the Town of Mansfield. This position also serves the Mansfield Public Schools, Regional School District 19 and municipal partners including the Eastern Highland Health District and Mansfield Downtown Partnership. Reporting to the Town Manager, the Chief of Shared Services and Administration subsumes the role of the Human Resource Director position that has been filled on an interim basis since October.
Ms. Capriola will take on her new responsibilities for the Town of Mansfield in early-May.
Before her current post in Simsbury, which she has held since 2018, Ms. Capriola served in Mansfield alongside then Town Manager Matt Hart for more than ten years as both the Assistant to the Town Manager (2007-2012) and Assistant Town Manager (2012-2018).
Maria Capriola graduated from the University of Connecticut, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, graduating cum laude, and a Master’s of Public Administration with a concentration in public administration.
“Based on the depth and breadth of her pertinent professional background, familiarity with our specific local government organization, and deep commitment to and enthusiasm for the Town of Mansfield, I firmly believe that Maria will be exceptional as Chief of Shared Services and Administration,” says Town Manager Aylesworth.
“Maria is well-known to the Town of Mansfield and eminently qualified to assume this newly created role, which demands considerable experience and expertise in public management, public finance, human resources, labor relations, as well as oversight of facilities and information technology programs. Her broad professional experience and familiarity with the Town of Mansfield will be invaluable, and we are eager to have her back on our team,” he adds.
As the first Town Manager in Simsbury, Ms. Capriola played a prominent role in the transition to a new form of government. As the leader of the municipality during the COVID pandemic, she oversaw the delivery of essential services despite staffing shortages during peak times of community transmission. During Ms. Capriola’s tenure there, Simsbury experienced steady growth. She also presided over significant infrastructure investments including school renovation projects, park and playground improvements, and technology upgrades. She also helped to increase Simsbury’s open space with the acquisition of the 288-acre Meadowood parcel, and oversaw creation of a new park at the Flower Bridge in that community.
Early on in her career, Maria served as a Management Analyst in the Research and Budget Department of the City of Savannah, GA and as Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Newburyport, MA.
“Mansfield was my work ‘home’ for so many years, and I found my work experience there to be engaging, challenging, and fulfilling. I deeply appreciate having worked in a community with high ethical standards and a respect for professionalism and integrity. I have a strong attachment to the community and the organization. I am honored to be have the opportunity to serve the community again in this newly developed role,” says Ms. Capriola. “I am eager to hit the ground running.”