Timothy M. Herbst
Email: tim@herbstfortrumbull.org
On November 3, 2009, Timothy M. Herbst was elected First Selectman, becoming the youngest elected First Selectman in the history of Trumbull’s government. At the age of 29, Mr. Herbst’s historic election caps more than a decade of public service.
Before his election as First Selectman, Herbst served as a member and Chairman of the Trumbull Planning & Zoning Commission. As Chairman, Herbst developed an ability to bring parties together, forge consensus and achieve positive results for the people of Trumbull. While working to grow Trumbull’s tax base, Herbst has also worked hard to protect the character of Trumbull. Herbst successfully led the Trumbull Planning & Zoning Commission through a comprehensive revision of the Town’s Plan of Conservation & Development for the first time in 22 years and the Trumbull Zoning Regulations for the first time in more than 60 years. The changes implemented under Herbst’s leadership as Chairman have promoted economic development while maintaining even stronger protection of our residential neighborhoods.
Tim was born and raised in Trumbull. A product of the Trumbull Public School System, Herbst attended Middlebrook School, Jane Ryan School, Madison Middle School and later Trumbull High School. While at Trumbull High School, Tim played football for the legendary Coach, Jerry McDougall and also served as president of his class for his entire four years at Trumbull High School. His fellow classmates elected him most likely to succeed.
Just after finishing his first year of college, Herbst was asked by then Planning & Zoning Commission Chairman Kenneth Halaby to run for Halaby’s seat on the Planning & Zoning Commission. At the age of 19, Herbst became a candidate for the Planning & Zoning Commission. He was considered a long shot, running against a well known member of the Trumbull Town Council. In a big upset, Tim won the election with an impressive 62% of the vote. He took office at the age of 19, becoming at the time, one of the youngest elected officials in the State of Connecticut. His historic election was featured in the New York Times in July of 2001.
While a student at Trinity College, Mr. Herbst worked as an aide to Deputy House Minority Leader, Themis Klarides. Herbst was elected by his peers and served as President of the Trinity College student body during his senior year. In 2002, Herbst graduated with honors from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he earned a BA in political science.
Mr. Herbst worked for United States Congressman Christopher Shays before entering law school. While in his second year of law school at Pace University, Tim was elected by his peers to become Chairman of the Trumbull Planning & Zoning Commission. At the age of 25, Mr. Herbst became the youngest person to ever serve as chairman of the board.
Shortly after his election as Chairman of the Planning & Zoning Commission, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell appointed Herbst to the Connecticut Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR). A 24-member agency of the State of Connecticut, the ACIR is charged with studying system issues between the state and local governments and to recommend solutions as appropriate. The membership is designed to represent the state legislative and executive branches, municipalities and other local interests, and the general public.
In 2007, Mr. Herbst graduated from Pace University School of Law, where he earned a J.D. While at Pace, Mr. Herbst was a member of the Pace Environmental Law Review. The environmental law program at Pace Law School has been ranked 3rd in the nation by US News and World Report.
Admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, before his election as First Selectman, Mr. Herbst was an attorney with the Trumbull law firm of Owens, Schine, & Nicola, P.C. Mr. Herbst concentrated his practice in the areas of land use, zoning, administrative law, residential and commercial real estate, probate and personal injury law.
Recently, Mr. Herbst was selected to serve on the Pace Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors. Mr. Herbst is also a member of the Trinity Club of Fairfield County, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Trumbull Rotary Club.