(READING, MA – June 3, 2024) – Following a robust search process that brought many highly qualified candidates, Town Manager Matthew Kraunelis is pleased to announce the appointment of Jayne Wellman to Assistant Town Manager. Wellman previously served as the town’s Director of Operations, where she oversaw procurement, risk management, and Town communications. In her new position, she’ll serve as the Town’s Ombudsman and head the joint Administrative & Public Services Department while maintaining an active role in managing centralized Town procurement and communications matters, including overseeing the Town’s website and CodeRED communication platform.
“I’ve worked with Jayne for the last eight years and have come to know her well. Her strong relationships with town staff and volunteers, keen wit, dedication, and knowledge around all things municipal government make her an excellent choice for this important role.,” said Kraunelis. “She has worked across many different major projects and initiatives in Reading during her tenure, from the website redesign to the Town budget to managing procurement for our largest expenditures, and I know she’ll continue to move Reading forward in this new role.”
Wellman received her bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University and a graduate certificate in business from the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Manning School of Business. Earlier this month, she completed her Master of Public Administration degree program from the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. As Reading’s procurement manager, she holds her MCPPO (Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official) designation from 2017 through 2026.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Reading’s next Assistant Town Manager, blending my passions for local government and for service to move this vibrant community forward,” said Wellman. “I’m thrilled to come to work every day with such dedicated staff, engaged residents, and thriving businesses, all working together for Reading’s best future. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished here already and look forward to the many new initiatives we have before us.”
Wellman was previously Reading’s Business Administrator from 2016-2023, which evolved into her most recent position for the Town. Prior to her time in Reading, Wellman spent a decade as a news editor and reporter for the Tewksbury and Wilmington Town Crier newspapers. She has also held roles in technology and business consulting, content creation, and customer relations.
A dedicated civic volunteer, Wellman is active in government and philanthropy in Tewksbury. She served on the School Committee, as the Town’s first elected female Town Moderator, and, since 2019, on the Select Board, where she is currently in her second term. She also serves as the Chair of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG), which focuses on collaborative planning among cities and towns in the Greater Lowell region. In 2021, Wellman co-founded 100 People Who Care Tewksbury, a philanthropic organization that holds quarterly community impact donation events to benefit local nonprofits. It has raised more than $115,000 since its inception.
Wellman is a 23-year resident of Tewksbury, where she lives with her two children, a goldendoodle named Gryffin, and Annabel the cat.
Bravo to this great team for recognizing Jayne’s value to the organization and community!