After career paths in nursing, insurance and Simsbury government, Jen Espinal has found that being the town clerk in Granby suits her just fine.
This journey started in 1994 when she migrated with her family to Torrington from the Dominican Republic, where she was born. She graduated from Oliver Wolcott Technical High School’s department of nursing studies. The sudden early death of her first husband led her to make a career change to the insurance business.
After obtaining various specialty insurance licenses, Espinal spent 15 years helping clients navigate their insurance needs and ways to secure their financial futures. In her final insurance position, she added marketing support to her position as the personal-lines producer for property and casualty.
Before taking the job as assistant town clerk in Simsbury, which she held for more than five years, Espinal had a brief but insightful experience working in the Assessor’s office in that town. She notes, “This role further deepened my understanding of municipal processes and functions.”
Espinal’s main goal is to contribute to public service and community enhancement. She is furthering that aspiration by pursuing a degree at Southern New Hampshire University in Business Administration with a concentration in public service and policies. She believes this degree will “allow me to delve deeper into areas that are pivotal to the functioning of communities and governments.”
Although having worked in Granby Town Hall for only a few months, Espinal is very comfortable joining the leaders and staff. “I have seen honesty and integrity at the forefront of the town leadership. Their dedication to transparency, ethical practices and community engagement sets a standard that is inspiring and makes my role even more fulfilling.”
Off-hours, Espinal cherishes time spent with her family: husband Doug, oldest son David (pursuing a physical education degree at Tunxis), middle child Davian (high school junior hoping to eventually be an attorney) and 8th grade daughter Bella who enjoys cheerleading and soccer and is a bit young to know what path she will head down.
In addition to family activities, Espinal enjoys taking long rides on scenic roads, hiking and being on the beach. Indoors, she can be found reading, writing, journaling and cooking. She also supports her church and is fulfilled by participating in community outreach programs that focus on providing support and education to families and married couples. She notes that she also dedicates a significant amount of time to professional development and self-improvement studies.
“Granby is not just a place where I work; it is a blend of professional satisfaction and personal contentment that creates a unique experience that I cherish every day. The town itself has a charm that is hard to resist: the picturesque landscapes, a quiet moment at a local café—there is always something to appreciate.”
In concluding our interview, Espinal wanted to make sure to give a shout out to the folks who helped her in her transition to Granby. Simsbury Town Clerk Trish Monroe and her assistant, Colleen Fenn, provided information, support and guidance. Most importantly, however, she noted that Granby’s previous town clerk, Scott Nolan, made exemplary contributions of time and guidance. “His actions reflect the values of the town government, and serve as an inspiration, reminding us all of the importance of supporting one another and working together towards common goals.”
The town of Granby seems to have found someone who indeed is a perfect fit.