Head of School David Klein today announced that Michael O’Farrell will assume the role of Director of Communications at Norwich Free Academy effective November 4. O’Farrell comes to NFA after serving the last nine years as Director of Public Relations at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, which is an affiliate of Yale New Haven Health. O’Farrell was responsible for all internal and external communications for both Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and Westerly Hospital in Westerly, RI. 

 

O’Farrell replaces Geoffrey Serra, who established the department at NFA and has served as the director since 2013. Serra is retiring after a 45-year career in education, 32 at NFA in various capacities in and out of the classroom.

 

“Mike O’Farrell brings the experience and character to NFA to continue the great work of the Office of Communications to represent all aspects of NFA’s mission,” says Klein. “He will tell the NFA story and serve our many constituencies extremely well.”

 

“I am thrilled for this opportunity,” said O’Farrell, a Pawcatuck native and Norwich resident. “The proud history of NFA is not lost on me and neither is the opportunity to enhance the messaging and communications tools necessary to ensure all NFA students – and the community – share that pride in the future.”

 

O’Farrell holds a BA Degree in Communications and Journalism from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. He brings an extensive background to his leadership position at NFA. In addition to his work at L+M, O’Farrell has worked in communications, marketing, and public relations at Mystic Seaport Museum; The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY; and a full-service marketing agency in Burlington, VT. 

 

“I am privileged to have worked at such iconic institutions like Mystic Seaport Museum, L+M Hospital and now NFA,” O’Farrell said. “I take great pride in that, and I am excited for this new challenge.”

 

 “We are excited that Mike will be joining us,” says Klein. “We look forward to his contributions to our senior leadership team at NFA and to the corporation’s regional success as an educational service provider, the home of an exceptional museum, the affiliate to an influential foundation, and the home to tens of thousands of proud, loyal, and generous alumni.”