Former Trumbull 1st Selectman Tapped To Lead Economic Revival

EAST HAVEN, CT — Six months after Maturo administration holdover Sal Brancati left his post as the town's economic development director, Mayor Joseph A. Carfora announced Thursday that he's appointed former four-term Trumbull First Selectman Raymond G. Baldwin Jr. as the town's interim Chief Administrative Officer & Director of Economic Development.

Baldwin will spend 30-plus hours a week on economic development and business retention efforts, Carfora said, "given how the COVID 19 pandemic has impacted small businesses."

Baldwin will get to work Monday.

"Ray brings with him many years of both government and private sector experience," Carfora told Patch.

Baldwin is a highly decorated US Marine who served during the Vietnam War. Carfora said he's "shown his devotion to the Marine Corps in his work with veterans for Hartford Healthcare and as a member of the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, and Port 5 Naval Veterans."

Baldwin is also a former police officer, and a licensed attorney.

"Ray has particular strengths, ties and experience in Connecticut’s veteran and political communities," Carfora said adding, "he's a lifelong Connecticut resident and lives a life of public service."

Carfora told Patch that while he began his search for Brancati's replacement in January, the pandemic sidelined that effort. But with Baldwin set to begin work in a few days, Carfora expects him to "hit the ground running while addressing the Coe Avenue- Hemingway Avenue road raising and drainage project and to work together with our Town Engineer to make sure the West End grant project continues to move forward."

Baldwin 'knows how government works' and will be a 'huge asset to East Haven'

Baldwin, who serves as Trumbull’s Police Commission chair, was a Trumbull Police officer in the 1970s and 80s, then he practiced law but was soon immersed in local government roles including serving on the Trumbull Town Council, Board of Finance, Golf Commission, and Veteran’s Advisory Committee. In 2001, he was sworn in as First Selectman and led the town until 2009.

"Ray knows how government works," Carfora said, "He will be a huge asset to East Haven.”

In a news release, Baldwin said he's "very excited to be working with Mayor Carfora to move East Haven forward in his vision."

"I understand and can appreciate his dedication to the community he was raised in," he said. "Together we will work hard with all stakeholders to make East Haven an inviting place to do business, but also to provide support for the many small businesses that are being hit hard by COVID-19.”

From Trumbull to Vietnam and back

Baldwin was born and raised in Trumbull. Shortly after graduating from St. Joseph High School in 1966, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He served as a radio operator with 4th Battalion 11th Marines southwest of Da Nang, Vietnam from May 1968-July 1969. He was engaged in over 16 combat operations against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces and was awarded the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Campaign Service Ribbon, two meritorious Presidential Unit Citations and a Good Conduct Ribbon.

Upon his return from Vietnam he served with the 2nd Marine Amtrac Battalion in the Mediterranean and Middle East conducting amphibious landings and security operations while assigned to the 6th Amphibious Fleet from October 1969-June 1970.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at the University of New Haven and joined the Trumbull Police Department. While serving on the police department he received his bachelors degree in 1978 and then enrolled in the University of Bridgeport School of Law and earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1984.

In 1985, he took an early retirement from the Trumbull Police Department and began practicing law in the Greater Bridgeport area, became involved in politics and from 1985 to 2001 served the town on various boards, committees and commissions before being elected First Selectman where he served for four successive terms.

In 2010, he was chosen as the President/CEO of St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services where he served for over 8 years helping to provide care and services to children and adults with cerebral palsy and other severe developmental disabilities.

Currently, he is the part-time Veteran’s Liaison for Hartford Healthcare in the greater Bridgeport and Litchfield county area.

Baldwin has been married to his wife Mary Ann for 46 years and has two children and three grandchildren.

He’s a member of the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, Port 5 Naval Veterans, Trumbull Rotary Club and the Bridgeport Elks Club. He’s also an avid golfer and motorcyclist.