Andrew Neblett, IT Director
Andrew has been working in the IT department at the Ridgefield Town Hall since 2006. He became head of the department after only a year and a half as an IT Technician. Andrew is also the Chair of the Region 5 Cybersecurity Committee. But no matter which hat Andrew is wearing, it is important that you call him Andrew or Drew, but never Andy.
In his job as Ridgefield IT Director, Andrew manages all facets of technology in town except for the schools and the library. He is responsible for purchasing, training, repairing, and anything related to IT. His biggest concern is always cybersecurity now and in the future. With hackers being so proficient, Andrew must be ahead “of the curve” at all times and must make all other departments aware of the dangers of cyberattacks and how they can be avoided.
As the Chair of Cybersecurity Committee for Region 5, (43 Towns, Northwest corner of Ct.) Andrew and the Committee are tasked with outlining resources, training, best practices, and assistance as necessary and feasible. This also includes writing policy, establishing guidelines, setting standards, and initiating and assessing best practices in the field of cybersecurity for the numerous towns that rely on them.
Andrew’s college degree is from Keene State College in New Hampshire in Geography (switching from Music Education, Performance and Composition). All Andrew has learned about technology is self-taught. However, despite being self-taught, Andrew has become a leader in his field of IT acting as a consultant, programmer, publishing articles, giving seminars, etc. In fact, in 1990 Andrew won a special award, only given once, from PC Magazine. This award was for "Best Technical Support" for a software product. Andrew is very proud of the award, as he should be. Additionally, Andrew is also known for developing the software for the stations along the highways where trucks stop to be weighed in. His software for truck weigh-ins is used in several states in the U.S.
Andrew's family background can be traced to Switzerland with a strong focus on the arts. His relatives were artists, dancers, musicians, actors, writers, etc. Andrew’s interests are more aligned with music and writing than some of the other arts. However, Andrew is a patron of the arts of all types.
As an accomplished, professional musician who has traveled internationally, played concerts, taught guitar and bass, recorded music as a studio musician and with several bands and as a solo act, performed on live TV, Andrew plays guitar, bass, and several other instruments. He also composes a great deal of his own music which crosses many genres. Andrew has written 4 books on wellness and metaphysics (2 more coming out very soon). When Andrew retires, he will focus on writing more books. He also teaches and lectures on various topics.
Andrew loves martial arts and has five black belts. He has taught self-defense for women and law enforcement as well as people of all ages in dojo classes. In addition to martial arts, Andrew is a CT-registered (CT HYP.0000114) and licensed hypnotist. He got into hypnotism when he found that it was very helpful with his own pain management problems. Traveling to all the continents is an activity that Andrew truly enjoys. His favorite trips, however, are going back to Switzerland (Anywhere!), Salzburg, Austria, and Bavaria, Germany. Crepes and fondue are two of his favorite Swiss dishes.
Prior to retirement, Andrew plans to leave IT in Ridgefield in a better place. Through advancing what the town presently knows regarding IT and its multitude of uses, Andrew wants to learn new ways of protecting our technology from criminal activities. Andrew’s goal is to keep our IT Department safe and secure and help other towns as well.
Andrew has lived in Ridgefield since 2016. His wife Cathleen (3 sons) and Andrew (1 son) love the charm of Ridgefield. He also truly enjoys his job. He finds his job challenging, important, always changing, and brings him into contact with all different types of people. Andrew hopes to continue as IT director for Ridgefield for probably another decade and if he does, we know we are in good hands, at least IT-wise.