Former Greenwich First Selectman has been appointed Executive Director of Pathways Inc.
The announcement was made Monday by Pathways President Tom Athan.
Mr. Tesei, who was Greenwich’s First Selectman from 2007-2019, started in his new role on November 8, 2021.
He was selected from a pool of more than a dozen applicants.
After serving as Greenwich First Selectman, Tesei established a consulting business where he assisted individuals, businesses and non-profits with public affairs, project management and fundraising.
At Pathways, he succeeds Laura Heckman.
“The Board of Pathways is fortunate to have found Peter, who is an experienced and distinguished leader with a depth of knowledge of our community and its institutions as well as a passion for the mission of Pathways,” Athan said in a release. “We are excited that Peter will be at the helm of Pathways supporting our dedicated staff in their service to our clients, using his decades of experience of listening, learning and leading.”
In his career, Tesei was elected to six consecutive two-year terms as Greenwich’s First Selectman.
He instituted process improvements, customer service training, citizen-lead committees supporting youth, diversity, special needs communities, veterans, economic development, and coastal resources. He spearheaded the development of the nine-acre Cos Cob Park and was instrumental in the rebuilding of the Central Fire Station, Glenville Elementary School and the Performing Arts Center at Greenwich High School.
Prior to serving as First Selectman, Tesei was a Vice President with BNY/Mellon.
He served on the Town of Greenwich Finance Board (BET) for 10 years, six as Board Chair. He began his community service at the age of 18, as the youngest member ever elected to the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting.
Tesei is a fifth generation Greenwich native, and a product of the Greenwich Public Schools and the University of Connecticut.
Tesei is the recipient of several leadership and community service awards: Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol Inc., Chabad of Greenwich, Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, United Jewish Appeal, Malcolm Pray Friend of Eagles, University of Connecticut 40 under 40 and Fairfield County Business Journal 40 under.
He is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra.
“I am looking forward to working with the dedicated staff at Pathways on behalf of the wonderful clients
they serve,” Tesei said in the release. “My respect and support for Pathways began when I met the founder Renee Bigler more than 20 years ago. Her passion, commitment and tireless advocacy are inspiring and I am excited to further the mission that she and the founding board members set forth 40 years ago.”
Pathways, Inc. provides housing, education, health services and other support for adults with severe and prolonged mental illness to further recovery growth and more meaningful lives. Pathways maintains four affordable homes serving thirty-eight clients. At the newly constructed Fellowship Center at 8 Sinawoy Road in Cos Cob approximately an additional forty-day clients take part in the “Success Club”.
Through compassionate engagement, our clients learn day-to-day life management, from food preparation and meal planning to programs that provide a breadth of activities designed for recreation, connecting with others and skills building. Clients live together, sharing meals and household chores. Clients learn about proper hygiene, healthy sleep patterns and sun safety. Daily programs include job skills improvement, such as resume writing, interview training, job searching, to real life application of menu planning, grocery shopping and food preparation. Our clients have access to short-term, transitional and long-term treatment programs, with individualized plans catering to each client’s goals. We connect our clients with the world around them through a variety of programs designed to build confidence, competencies and connections. Every client is recognized for the unique individual that they are. Together we work to reclaim a future filled with joy, purpose and possibilities for all of our clients.