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Date: 8/16/2023
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Council on Aging is in the hiring process for a new Senior Center director after current executive director Tina Gorman announced she is stepping down.
Gorman’s transition plan began approximately one and a half years ago when she promised her family that she would find more balance in her life.
“For many years, my work has been my top priority,” Gorman explained. “It has been difficult to stop and smell the roses when there are new services to develop, grants to write, building issues to attend to, staff to manage, advisory committees to serve on and budgets to be mindful of, all while meeting the ever-changing and complicated needs of Westfield’s older adults and their families.” She continued, “I think that it’s time for a new director with with his or her own priorities, ideas, strengths and energy to step in. It’s an exciting prospect for Westfield’s older adults.”
Gorman was hired as the Council on Aging’s program director in 2006. She served as interim director from 2008 to 2011. For Gorman, it was a natural transition to apply for the executive director position in 2011 when the job was posted, and she has served in that capacity since then. Gorman said serving as executive director of the Council on Aging and Westfield Senior Center has provided her with a unique opportunity to combine her years of education, training and various experiences in the field of gerontology in order to maximize her ability to serve Westfield’s older adults. She has worked with countless individuals and their families in the areas of case management, counseling and crisis intervention. On a wider level, she has developed and expanded services that reach a broader spectrum, such as the “Retire the Fire” and Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off programs, various support groups, outreach and nursing services, as well as COVID-19-inspired programs that they have continued to provide.
Gorman said the highlight of her tenure in the department was the construction and opening of the new Senior Center in 2015. Gorman and former Mayor Dan Knapik were determined to get that project — which had started 20 years earlier — across the finish line. There was an amazing learning curve for her, she said, that involved design, construction, fundraising and furnishing components.
Gorman said she has no plans to retire at this time. She said feels that professionally, she still has a lot to contribute in the field of geriatric service. During her time at the Council on Aging, she said she has tried to build as many bridges as she could with Westfield mayors, city councilors, department heads, local legislators, state administrators and social service agency personnel.
Gorman serves on several advisory committees and hopes to continue to do so. She said she plans to apply for a newly developed position within the department after a new executive director is hired and the job is posted.
“At this stage of my life and career, my dream is to continue to put my professional strengths to practice while enjoying some quality and leisure time with my husband, daughter and one-week-old granddaughter,” Gorman said.
A screening committee, which consists of Mayor Michael McCabe, the human resources director and two other staff members, will be conducting interviews soon. Once the application and interview process is completed and a selection is made, McCabe will submit the candidate’s name to the City Council for approval. The preferred candidate will be referred to the Personnel Action Committee and then sent back to the full council for a vote.
“We’re looking for someone that has familiarity with seniors’ needs, grants and municipal finance [and] budgeting,” said McCabe. “As well as management of people experience, related experience in a similar role and prior MUNIS experience would be beneficial.”
Under the terms of the city’s municipal employee union contract, the position has a salary range of $77,988 to $102,967.