Gary MacNamara Leads Community & Government Relations

A trusted leader in the community, MacNamara will now advance SHU’s external engagement strategy

Key Highlights

• Sacred Heart University appointed Gary MacNamara as executive director of community & government relations, effective March 23
• MacNamara, former Fairfield police chief, brings decades of leadership experience in public safety, government collaboration and community engagement
• In his new role, he will lead legislative advocacy, policy monitoring and public funding initiatives while strengthening partnerships with local, state and federal leaders
• He will serve as SHU’s primary liaison to government officials and community organizations, advancing the University’s external engagement strategy
• MacNamara emphasizes relationship-building, transparency and collaboration as key to aligning university priorities with regional needs

Sacred Heart University has named Gary MacNamara executive director of community & government relations, effective March 23.

MacNamara started his career at the Fairfield Police Department as a patrol officer in 1988 and became chief of police in 2010. He retired from his role as police chief and joined SHU in 2018. Since then, he has served as SHU’s executive director of public safety & government affairs, leading campus safety efforts while strengthening the University’s engagement with government partners.

In his new role, he will focus fully on expanding the relationships he forged for Sacred Heart and advancing SHU’s external engagement strategy.

“Gary has been a trusted leader in the community for many years, and his ability to build strong relationships has already made a meaningful impact on the University,” said Michael Iannazzi, senior vice president for administration. “This transition allows him to fully focus on that work and continue to expand our government and community relationships in ways that support our mission and our region.”

He will serve as the University’s primary liaison to local, state and federal officials, as well as community organizations across the region. He will lead legislative advocacy, policy monitoring and public funding initiatives while continuing to build relationships with municipal leaders, nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

MacNamara will also advise University leadership on external relations strategy, represent Sacred Heart in key forums and support the University’s ongoing commitment to civic engagement and community impact.

In a question-and-answer interview, MacNamara discussed his new role.

What are your top priorities as you begin this next chapter in your work with government and community partners?

My top priority is to listen and learn about all the strong relationships Sacred Heart University has across our region. I hope to build on that foundation and continue engaging local, state and federal partners to understand their priorities, share our priorities and collaborate to align our institutional goals with community needs. I also want to ensure our partnerships in areas such as workforce development, education and economic impact are meaningful and mutually beneficial.

How do you see Sacred Heart strengthening its relationships with local, state and federal leaders?

I believe all relationships start with consistency, engagement and trust. We are in a unique position not only as a well-respected educational institution but also as a strong community partner. That standing is the result of proactive engagement from SHU President John J. Petillo and many others across the University who create opportunities for dialogue, bring leaders to campus, hold regional conversations and ensure our voice is heard in ways that make a positive difference.

How does your experience as Fairfield’s chief of police shape your approach to community and government relations?

Serving as chief of police taught me that relationships are everything. I worked closely with government officials, community leaders and residents, often during complex and high-pressure situations. That experience reinforced the importance of communication, collaboration and credibility in building trust and achieving shared goals.

You are a familiar voice in local media. How does that experience influence the way you communicate about Sacred Heart’s mission and priorities?

I learned early in my career the importance of clarity, honesty and accessibility. Whether speaking to the public or stakeholders at SHU, it is critical to communicate in a way that is transparent and understandable.

I respect the role of the media in informing the public and holding institutions accountable. The media also provides an opportunity to build trust and highlight the positive impact Sacred Heart has on students and the broader community. My experience speaking with media and public audiences allows me to focus on delivering the message clearly and effectively.

How do you approach representing Sacred Heart in public forums and conversations about regional issues?

It is a tremendous responsibility to represent the University in a thoughtful and constructive way. It is also a collaborative effort to highlight the important work happening across the SHU community and ensure that the issues that impact our mission are part of broader conversations. Sacred Heart is engaged, responsive and committed to making a positive impact, and I want to support that work in every way I can.