Augusta, MAINE – Governor-elect Janet Mills today announced that she will nominate Kirsten Figueroa, Chief of the Administrative Services Division in the Attorney General’s Office, to serve as the next Commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services (DAFS). Figueroa will bring to the position more than 22 years of public sector and non-profit financial executive experience, having overseen the financial, administrative, human resources, and technology aspects of several large organizations and government departments.
“Kirsten will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services,” said Governor-elect Janet Mills. “I have witnessed firsthand her considerable talent and expertise as the Chief of the Administrative Services Division in the Attorney General’s Office, and I know she will bring to bear those same skills at the department as we prepare a budget that will maintain fiscal stability, reduce the burden of property taxes, increase revenue sharing, and invest in our future, among other important priorities.”
“I am honored to be selected for this position and am grateful to Governor-elect Mills for entrusting me with this important responsibility,” said Figueroa. “DAFS is an organization not just of rules, procedures, and budget numbers, but of knowledgeable, helpful, and innovative people who are dedicated to service to this great state. I look forward to repairing the morale, reputation, and dignity of the state’s workforce and to working with Governor-elect Mills to prepare a budget that maintains appropriate financial discipline and adequately invests in the future of Maine.”
Figueroa’s nomination is subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriation and Financial Affairs and the Maine Senate.
Figueroa has more than 22 years of experience in financial and analytical roles, including budgeting; coordinating, improving, and maintaining partnerships; policy development; strategic planning; technology project management; and general operations oversight. As Chief of the Attorney General’s Administrative and Financial Services Division – a position she has held since August 2015 – she oversees general administration, accounting, budget, human resources, and technology efforts within the Office of the Attorney General, including administering the payroll and benefits of the eight District Attorneys and the Assistant District Attorneys.
Figueroa’s previous experience includes serving as: the Director of Administrative Services for the Division of Financial and Personnel Services within DAFS (2001-2004); the Chief Financial Officer of Dirigo Health Agency (2004-2006); the Deputy Commissioner of Finance for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (2006-2008), in which she oversaw a $3.3 billion budget; the Chief Financial Officer of Avesta Housing (2008-2010); the Energy and Housing Services Program Director for the Maine State Housing Authority (2010-2013); and the Finance Director for the State’s Office of Information Technology (2013-2015).
As Commissioner, Figueroa will be responsible for developing the state’s biennial budget, coordinating the financial planning and programming activities of state agencies, overseeing the administration of tax laws, directing technology services and infrastructure, advising the Maine Legislature on the financial statutes of state government, and recruiting and retaining one of Maine's largest and most diverse workforces.
DAFS consists of eight bureaus, a handful of boards and commissions, and more than 1,200 employees serving the public and all three branches of state government. Additionally, DAFS oversees all aspects of human resources; information technology services; public improvements; maintenance of state-owned building and grounds; procurement; and fleet management.
Figueroa, who grew up in Litchfield and Topsham, has a B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. She lives in Gardiner.
Figueroa is the second member of Governor-elect Mills’ cabinet to be named. Last week, Mills announced that she will nominate national health care expert Jeanne Lambrew to serve as the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services.