Biographical information:
I hold a degree in Environmental and Forest Biology and am a certified teacher. Professionally, I have 27 years of experience in IT (applications and infrastructure) and have been programming for 40 years. My community involvement includes 10 years in youth sports coaching and board leadership, and 10 years in Scouting leadership (Eagle Scout, 1992). I have served on the Mendon Select Board for the past three years and am the current chair. I am married with four children and one dog.
How long have you lived in Mendon?
12 years.
What professional or volunteer experience do you bring to this role?
I bring a combination of technical strategy and community leadership. My 27-year career in IT has made me a disciplined decision-maker and strategist, accustomed to managing complex infrastructure and applications. My decade of service on youth sports and Scouting boards provided deep experience in local volunteer governance, while my three years on the Select Board — specifically as chair — have given me direct experience in municipal finance, policy-making, and presiding over town business with a focus on logic and fairness.
Why did you decide to run for reelection?
Having served one term and currently leading as chair, I have a clear understanding of the projects currently in motion. I am running to ensure continuity in our long-term planning and to apply a consistent, logic-driven approach to the town’s challenges. My objective is to ensure the town operates efficiently and maintains a strong justice-oriented approach to governance. Bottom line on top, I still have work to do and would like another three years to do it.
Please describe other Mendon activities you’ve been involved with, including any other elected or appointed positions.
In addition to my three years on the Select Board, I have spent 10 years involved in Mendon youth sports as both a coach and a board member. These roles required balancing competing interests, managing budgets, and planning for the long-term health of community programs. My role as cub leader and scoutmaster have also played a big role and I am co-chair of the 1926 committee which will bring the Troop 1 Mendon Centennial Camporee to Inman Hill on Columbus Day 2026.
What values guide your public service?
My public service is guided by a strong internal moral code, a commitment to justice, and a requirement for logical consistency. I value direct communication and transparency. I believe voters deserve the truth without softening, and that municipal decisions should be based on data and merit rather than political convenience.
How do you make decisions when there’s no perfect option?
I utilize a data-driven approach to weigh the trade-offs of each path. When a “perfect” solution is unavailable, I prioritize the option that most closely aligns with the town’s long-term strategic goals and my commitment to fair outcomes. I focus on mitigating the most significant risks while being direct with the public about the reasoning behind the chosen compromise.
What are the three greatest challenges facing the town?
1. Fiscal sustainability: Balancing the increasing cost of services and education with the tax burden on residents.
2. Infrastructure maintenance: Addressing the backlog of repairs for roads and municipal buildings before they become critical, more expensive failures.
3. Strategic planning: Moving the town from a reactive “crisis-management” posture to a proactive, long-term planning model for both land use and capital expenditures.
What should the Select Board be doing now to help the town meet these challenges?
The board must prioritize the development of a multi-year capital improvement plan that is tied to realistic revenue projections. We need to leverage technology to improve town efficiency and ensure that every department is operating under a unified strategic vision. Transparency in the budget process is essential to maintaining the trust needed to make difficult fiscal decisions.
How would you balance long-term planning with immediate needs?
My background in IT infrastructure is built on this balance. Immediate “fires” must be addressed to keep the town running, but they should not be allowed to cannibalize the resources set aside for long-term stability. I advocate for a “proactive maintenance” philosophy; investing in systems and infrastructure now to prevent the emergency costs of the future.
What’s your proudest accomplishment as a Select Board member?
The many open discussion meetings we have had with the public this year stands out because it required a combination of logical problem-solving and a commitment to doing what was right for the entire community, even when the process was complex or answers were difficult to hear.
Mendon Commons sent questionnaires to each of the 13 candidates running for town office in the May 19 election. We are publishing the responses through May 18.
