Noank woman appointed deputy secretary of state Office of Policy and Management

Karen Buffkin of Noank has been appointed deputy secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management, replacing Mark Ojakian, who has been named chief of staff by Governor Dannel P. Malloy.

Buffkin had served as Undersecretary for Legal Affairs for OPM.

"I'm thrilled to be able to make this appointment," OPM Secretary Ben Barnes said in a release. "I had not known Karen well when she began here a year ago, but everyone who has worked with her has been impressed by her work ethic, knowledge and administrative abilities. Her broad experience in government and as a litigator is invaluable for the type of work we do at OPM. Maybe best of all, she is a great team player and her colleagues at OPM are enthusiastic about her new position."

Before coming to OPM, Buffkin was general counsel for the state Board of Labor Relations and before that for then-State Comptroller Nancy Wyman. She served eight years as assistant corporation counsel and special counsel in the City of Hartford. As Undersecretary for Legal Affairs, she played a key role in drafting budget-related legislation as well as reviewing regulations and state contracts.

Buffkin will begin her new position Jan. 5.