My wife Linda and I moved to Bennington from Florida in December of 2014. Talk about a shock: the closing on our house was nearly postponed by a snowstorm! Since then we have come to appreciate the many joys of living in Vermont.
I spent most of my professional career working in Information Technology as a systems and network architect and programmer. I have started several successful businesses, including an IT consulting company and a retail wine store. In 2006, I was named the Jacksonville (Florida) Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader of the Year. I know from first-hand experience how changes in the economic climate can affect businesses small and large.
In the latter part of my career, I worked for a wholesale auto parts distributor as their IT Director, and for CSX Transportation as an Information Technology Architect. I retired from CSX in 2022.
In addition to my professional life, I have been an avid runner and I am an annual participant in the Battle Day 5K and other local races. I have been baking bread since I was a child, and I enjoy an array of hobbies and activities including cooking, gardening, woodworking, photography and home maintenance and repair. I continue to work with computers and technology as well.
We share our home with five (very spoiled) cats and (maybe) the ghost of Grandma Moses, who lived in what is now our home in the early 1930s. We love the walkability and many activities that Bennington provides, but especially the friendly people we have met. Our love for our new home town is one of the primary reasons I have decided to run for office.
For the last few years I have had the pleasure of serving on the Town of Bennington Historic Preservation Commission. It has been great working to preserve some of Bennington's amazing architectural history. I am especially excited about our efforts to raise awareness of the rich history of downtown and the Pleasant Street neighborhood. It has been amazing to interact with the other commissioners, as well as the Town staff, and I recommend serving on one of the Town's boards or commissions to anyone who wants to become more involved.
Although I have been a lifelong Democrat, I have never before taken an active role. This past September I wandered in to the reorganization meeting for the Town Democrats. I immediately joined the committee, and became a delegate for the County committee as well. There are some great people in the party and some amazing elected officials as well. I look forward to continue working with them whether I am elected or not. This is simply too critical a time in our nation's (and Vermont's) history to stand on the sidelines.