Amy Casey, left, appeared before the Board of Selectmen on April 22. — Macklin Reid photo
With experience in science, education and finance, Amy Casey asked the selectmen to appoint her to a seat on the town’s arts council.
“Did you consider the Conservation Commission?” Selectman Di Masters asked.
“I was sort of drawn to the arts council,” Casey replied. “My background is in science and finance. I was drawn to the arts council because I’d meet people who are different from me.”
A mother of two boys, ages 3 and 4, she worked most recently in 2009 and 2010 with the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, reviewing applications, nominees, grants, and funds for the Fulbright programs.
Before that she taught chemistry and environmental science with the Institute for Collaborative Education in New York City.
She had previously worked on Wall Street.
She moved to Ridgefield two years ago, and came before the Board of Selectmen on April 22, interviewing for a position on the arts council.
“I’m somewhat new to town,” she said.
“I’m originally from Massachusetts. My husband’s from New York.”
Connecticut seemed an obvious place to look for a home.
“I drove here for the Holiday Stroll with my kids and my mom when he was traveling and I called him and said, ‘This is it,’” she told the selectmen.
Casey said she’d already attended some arts council meetings.
First Selectman Rudy Marconi confirmed this, reading an email in support of the appointment from arts council chairman Alison Greeley.
“Amy is a natural collaborator and works to build bridges,” Greeley said.
The selectmen voted unanimously to appoint Casey to the council.