David Crompton, MPA 1977

Chief Financial Officer, CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)

For as long as David Crompton can remember he was interested in politics. As an undergraduate David interned for the Connecticut State Legislature. This was an opportunity for David to attend conventions, campaign, delve into constituent work, and travel with legislators. Through these experiences David realized he loved government and found his way into the University of Connecticut’s Master of Public Administration program.  David never anticipated his love of government would lead to the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). “Some people are blessed with knowing what they want to do. I just knew I wanted to work in government. I never thought I would be working in a medical agency,” he said. 
             
As Chief Financial Officer of DMHAS for the past nineteen years, David’s duties are varied. This is no surprise given DMHAS’ 660 million dollar budget, 4,000 employees, 8 hospitals and mental health centers, and contracts with nearly 180 private and non-profit organizations.  On any given day David might be dealing with oversight of the Budget Division, Engineering Services Division, billing and compliance, contracting, internal or external audits, or sitting on the Commissioner’s Executive Committee.
           
Since coming aboard with DMHAS David has seen many changes. “When I started working, government was smaller and less sophisticated than it is now. Expectations are different now and professionalism is higher. Then it was just intuition and experience. . . I had to write with something called a typewriter,” he explained. 
           
David, a 1977 MPA alumni, graduated in the second class of the program.
He was also the recipient of the first “Distinguished Alumni” award. David has served in various leadership capacities for the American Society for Public Administration and on the MPA Advisory Board. David enjoys his involvement with these organizations. “Contact with the University is energizing. I will continue with that, even when I retire in future years,” David said.