Published: 12/5/2022 6:47:28 PM
Modified: 12/5/2022 6:47:05 PM
GREENFIELD — For Finance Director Diana Schindler, her new role at City Hall is a bit of a homecoming.
“I’ve joked about it, but I know so many people already,” she said. “I went to school with (Public Works Director Marlo Warner II); I know (Community and Economic Director MJ Adams). I’m now the townie in Town Hall, whereas in every other community, I never have been.”
Schindler succeeds Elizabeth “Liz” Gilman, who announced her plans to retire a year ago after three years working as finance director. Gilman will remain working with the city to assist during the fiscal year 2024 budget season, however.
“We are thrilled to welcome Diana to City Hall,” Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said in a statement. “She brings considerable experience to the job and the fact that she lives here and knows the community is certainly a plus. I also want to thank outgoing Finance Director Liz Gilman for staying on longer than expected to ensure a smooth transition. I wish Liz a restful and enjoyable retirement.”
Schindler most recently served as town administrator in Hopedale, but has also held administrative roles in Deerfield, Orange and Colrain, totaling 25 years of municipal experience.
“In the town administrator role, especially in small towns, you do a little of everything,” she said. “Most of what you do is managing the day-to-day operations, which is a lot and mostly financial — making sure accounts are balanced, setting the tax rate, managing the entire budget process, working with the finance committee.”
In each position, she’s worked closely with the treasurer/collector and the town accountant, and has also acted as chief procurement officer.
“Greenfield is in such an exciting time,” she said regarding her new role. “I’ve had a lot of economic growth in every town I’ve been in or helped them achieve that.”
Schindler said she hopes to bring that varied perspective into her new position in Greenfield. Since joining the staff on Nov. 21, Schindler has been making her way through past recordings of municipal meetings to get up to speed.
“I have a lot of knowledge that can stretch beyond the finances that I can bring to the table,” she said.
After moving away for a few years, the 1986 Greenfield High School graduate said she is grateful to be back in Greenfield, raising her children in the city, and home, where she grew up.
“I can’t articulate what a gift it feels like to be at this point in my public service career,” Schindler said, “and to be in Greenfield at this time when I feel I have a lot to offer to the town that gave me what I’ve had in my life.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.
