Maine’s finance commissioner will retire this fall.
That will cap off three decades of public service for Kirsten Figueroa, who has overseen the Department of Administrative and Financial Services since 2019.
The office of Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that Figueroa will leave her position within the administration on Oct. 30.
“Kirsten is not only one of my closest advisors, but she’s a good friend. She has been by my side ever since I was Attorney General, and, to this day, I remain consistently impressed with her ability to solve some of the most complicated issues in state government,” Mills said in a statement. “The job of DAFS Commissioner is one of the most challenging in state service, and Kirsten has done an exceptional job. I am deeply sad to lose her, but it is in large part because of her that the State of Maine is in such good financial shape and that we were able to accomplish so much. I wish her the best as she enters her well-deserved retirement, and I thank her for all she has done over her stellar career to serve the people of Maine.”
Mills credited Figueroa with building up Maine’s “rainy day fund” to a record $1.03 billion, securing boosts to the state’s credit rating and raising wages for unionized state workers by 24 percent.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as Commissioner of DAFS. My career in finance and administrative service, including nearly 30 years in public service from Bank Examiner at the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation in 1993 to Commissioner of DAFS in 2019, was more than I could have imagined. I am so proud of all we have accomplished under Governor Mills’ leadership – investing in the health and welfare of Maine people, boosting our economy, balancing every budget, enhancing our credit ratings, and increasing the Budget Stabilization Fund to its record high,” Figueroa said in a statement. “I leave knowing that the State is on solid financial footing, and I feel deeply grateful to have fought for the interests of more than 12,000 State employees, folks who work tirelessly day in and day out for the people of Maine. I thank the Governor for this incredible opportunity, and I thank the people of Maine for allowing me to serve them.”
Before taking helm of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Figueroa served as chief of administrative services in the Maine attorney general’s office; director of administrative services for the Division of Financial and Professional Services from 2001 to 2004; chief financial officer for the Dirigo Health Agency from 2004 to 2006; deputy finance commissioner for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing a $3.3 billion budget, from 2006 to 2007; chief financial officer for Avesta Housing from 2008 to 2010; energy and housing services program director for the Maine State Housing Authority from 2010 to 2013; and finance director for the Office of Information Technology from 2013 to 2015.
Figueroa grew up in Litchfield and Topsham.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Maine and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Elaine Clark will take over as acting director of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services until the Legislature confirms a permanent replacement for Figueroa. Clark currently serves as the department’s deputy commissioner of operations.
