10/20/23 Town of Freeport Announces the Selection of Sophia L. Wilson as the New Town Manager
Town of Freeport Announces the Selection of Sophia L. Wilson as the New Town Manager
Freeport, Maine — [October 20, 2023] — The Town of Freeport is delighted to announce the selection of Sophia L. Wilson as the new Town Manager following a nationwide search that considered 104 candidates generated by the executive recruitment firm of Baker Tilly.
With an impressive background in municipal management, Ms. Wilson will play a vital role in directing the administrative functions of the town and ensuring the seamless operation of all municipal affairs. Prior to her appointment as Town Manager of Freeport, Wilson had the privilege of serving as Town Manager in two other Maine municipalities, most recently in Orono, Maine (2011 – 2023) and prior to that in Brownville, Maine (2000 – 2011). Her extensive experience and profound dedication to public service make her a standout choice for this vital role.
Wilson is an accomplished alumna of the University of Maine, Orono, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Social and Behavioral Science in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. Notably, in 2018, she was certified as a Certified Labor Relations Professional through the National Public Employers Labor Relations Association, and in 2021 as a Senior Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resource Managers. Her commitment to excellence has earned her the prestigious Maine Town, City and County Management Association’s Leadership Award in 2015, a testament to her remarkable achievements.
Presently, Wilson actively contributes to the Maine Town, City and County Management Association, serving on their Professional Development Committee, a position that underscores her dedication to the advancement of the field.
Regarding her appointment, Council Chair Dan Piltch said, “We are eager to have Sophie join Freeport and continue to build upon the great work of our employees. She stood out from a well-qualified group of candidates, and I think her extensive experience will be an important benefit for Freeport. We have a dedicated team of people, with a wonderful culture, and we look forward to adding Sophia’s energy to the mix.” The Town Manager role has been served in the interim by Caroline Pelletier for which the entire Town Council has expressed appreciation. “For the past six months, Caroline has stepped up to take on the Town Manager responsibilities, in addition to her existing Town Planner duties. She has done an admirable job, and we wholly appreciate the time, energy and passion Caroline has committed to Freeport. We are lucky to have her on the team.”
On being selected, Wilson said, “I am honored to be chosen for this position and look forward to formally beginning work with the team on December 4th. I’ve been impressed throughout the rigorous selection process by the Freeport Town Council’s clear vision, commitment to the governance process, and deep respect for professional staff.”