#HARTFORD, CT – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has selected a new leadership team to operate the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Michael R. Bzdyra of Wallingford has been appointed to serve as Commissioner of the agency and Judeen Wrinn of Middletown has been named Deputy Commissioner.
“For the last three or four decades, people talked about making modernization upgrades to Connecticut’s DMV only to put it off. Now we’re actually doing it. Transitions in an agency of this size and importance are challenging. We’re moving from an antiquated, outdated system into one takes advantage of today’s modern technologies. Because of the challenge, many put off the hard decisions. We didn’t,” Governor Malloy said. “I am pleased to announce a new leadership team at the agency, one that I feel will help ensure both a smooth transition and out-of-the-box thinking. Our focus must be on improving customer service and becoming more efficient, and I believe this new team will combine private sector thinking with familiarity of day-to-day operations of the agency. I thank them for accepting these responsibilities and look forward to working with them as we continue moving towards improving the DMV for residents.”
Bzdyra has served at the DMV since 2011, where he currently holds the position of Deputy Commissioner. Prior to that, he worked for thirteen years with the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority as a government relations liaison and senior analyst, responsible for directing, planning and implementing the organization’s governmental, legislative, and regulatory activities.
Wrinn most recently worked for Voya Financial, Inc. as the company’s Chief Operations Officer for Retirement Business, where she oversaw approximately 1,500 employees and helped institute LEAN methodologies that in 2013 and 2014 delivered the company $18.8 million in earnings and $6.1 million in other benefits. From 2001 to 2013 she worked at ING in a variety of capacities including as Chief Operations Officer for Retirement Business, Chief of Staff to the CEO of Retirement Business, Vice President of Client Relationship Management, and Chief of Staff to the Investment Officer. She also worked at Aetna from 1978 to 2011, originally joining the company as a front-line customer service representative and eventually becoming Chief of Staff to the CEO of Aetna’s Retirement’s domestic business.
“We must change DMV to be more customer focused,” Bzdyra said. “Our combination will help create a smooth transition to the path of change and out-of-the-box thinking for creative and innovative solutions. We know that is what our customers want and deserve.”
“My commitment as we review our systems and processes is to make certain that we identify and address any underlying systemic issues. This agency is far too important for Band-Aid solutions,” Wrinn said. “We must put the customer first – they are our neighbors and fellow residents. I am thrilled to utilize my private sector experience to help ensure that DMV services are delivered at a quality level that the citizens of Connecticut deserve to receive.”
Dennis Murphy has been temporarily serving in the role of Acting Commissioner of DMV since February while a search for a permanent Commissioner was being conducted. Immediately prior to that, he had been serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor since 2011. The Governor intends to appoint him to serve as a member of the State Board of Mediation and Arbitration.
“I have been proud to help manage the DMV and work alongside so many hard working dedicated professionals. I am convinced that Mike Bzdyra has the precise skillset and deep history with the agency to lead it to a highly effective, customer-centric posture,” Murphy said. “I am also thrilled to continue my state service at the Board of Mediation and Arbitration as a neutral labor arbitrator, my professional home.”
Both Bzdyra and Wrinn will begin their new roles at the DMV effective Friday, March 18, 2016.
(State of Connecticut Press Release)
