NHCOG Appoints Rista Malanca as Director of Community and Economic Development

The Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rista Malanca as the region’s new Director of Community and Economic Development. This appointment comes at a time of growth for the regional planning agency that will further provide service and support for the region’s 21 municipalities and their constituents. Rista will replace Emily Hultquist who resigned in October.

Rista brings over 17 years of local municipal experience in the northwest hills region including, most recently, the past 5 years as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Torrington. She has worked on many redevelopment projects, including the reuse of environmentally contaminated properties, housing developments and placemaking projects.
She enjoys working with business owners, investors, and developers to overcome obstacles to create economic growth and vibrancy within communities. Previously Rista was also the Assistant Planner for Torrington and has worked as the Zoning and Wetlands Enforcement Officer in New Hartford and Barkhamsted.

Rista has a passion for walkable communities and serves on the Naugatuck River Greenway Steering Committee (Co-Chair), CT Greenways Council (Vice Chair), CT Brownfield Land Bank, Regional Brownfield Partnership and CEDAS.Rista will be the lead contact for Economic Development Planning and Strategy for the 21-town region as well as support Community Development initiatives involving land use planning and related work to support and maintain the quality of life that the region is known for.

“Rista’s documented success in Torrington, as the main economic hub of our region, will be a tremendous asset to NHCOG and its member communities. Her knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the region is unmatched in the role she will play in advancing initiatives and funding.