Fairfield Citizen: Who is David Becker? Here's what to know about Fairfield's COO after his resignation

John J. Sullivan Independence Hall, in Fairfield, Conn. Jan. 20, 2014.

By Shaniece Holmes-Brown, Staff Writer

FAIRFIELD — Before his Sept. 19 resignation, former Fairfield Chief Operating Officer David Becker had a longstanding background in town politics that stretched back nearly two decades and included a run for first selectman.

It also included a conflict of interest allegation, which he was cleared of earlier this year.

Why did David Becker resign?

According to town officials, Becker's resignation was tied to a restructuring in local government. But it did come in the wake of a town audit alleging that he purchased an SUV that bypassed town protocol. He previously served as the town's emergency management director, as well as interim chief fiscal officer. It was as acting CFO that Becker purchased the SUV for work purposes as the town's emergency management director, officials said.

First Selectman Christine Vitale said the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban cost $140,000 and has since been returned to the police department and incorporated as part of its fleet.

However, Vitale said Becker's resignation was unrelated to the vehicle purchase, and was brought on by changes she planned to make to his role by removing his emergency management director position and having fire and police report directly to her.

"I had the conversation with Mr. Becker, just in terms of the direction that I wanted to take, and he tendered his resignation as emergency management director, absolutely respecting that I was the first selectman and that I had a different vision on how I wanted things to run," she said.

Vitale said Becker resigned as emergency management director on Sept. 8, then offered his letter of resignation as COO on Sept. 16. His last day was Sept. 19.

"I very much want to post this position for the COO and see what kind of candidates that we get. It'll take some time to put it out there," she said. "It took a while for us to find the right candidate for CFO, and don't want to rush fill in the position for COO. So that's really where I am right now."

Vitale said Becker initially offered to stay in the role for four weeks to help with the transition, but ultimately changed his mind.

"I think that he came into this job with a different first selectman and a different plan, supported my coming into this role and was a huge support, and when my plan and management style was a little bit different, just realized that maybe now it was time just for us both to pursue different opportunities," she said. "I think he appreciated that I maybe just needed a fresh start as the first selectman and haven't have an opportunity to manage the town according to my vision."

Becker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

What's his previous controversy?

Earlier this year, Becker was cleared of conflict of interest allegations from Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick due to his ties to his family's landscaping business, Becker Landscaping, which the town has contracted with multiple times in the past.

Kupchick started raising concerns in July 2024 during Board of Selectmen meetings after a town culvert repair project listed Becker Landscaping as a subcontractor. She and the rest of the board approved the roughly $77,000 project contract three months prior, which was awarded to Palmieri Farm in Easton.

At the time, Kupchick claimed Becker's family business ties posed a problem. The late First Selectman Bill Gerber pushed back on that, but still hired Hartford law firm Rose Kallor and launched the investigation in October 2024. It concluded in February 2025 and Gerber disclosed the findings in April.

The investigation determined Becker had no stake in the business by the time he started working for the town and divested from it altogether on Dec. 31, 2023. It was also determined that he had no part in the culvert repair project.

Gerber died in July following complications during surgery to address an aggressive and malignant brain tumor.

When was he hired?

Becker was hired by Gerber as a special adviser in January 2024.

He became became the interim CFO one month later after former CFO Jared Schmitt left, and Becker held the position until Tom Harris was hired in January 2025.

He became Fairifeld's COO in June 2024 after Gerber created the position. 

What's his history in town?

Becker was a Republican member on the town's Representative Town Meeting for District 1 from 2009 until 2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.

He also threw his hat in the ring as a candidate for first selectman during the 2011 election, which Democrat Michael Tetreau ultimately won.

Becker also previously served on the town's Board of Finance.

Includes prior reporting by former staff writer Jarrod Wardwell and staff writer Christian Metzger.

Sep 22, 2025