WHY I AM RUNNING FOR THE MENDHAM TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION
- I am a long-time resident who is committed to ensuring a best-in-class education for all our students:
I am seeking election to the Mendham Township Board of Education (BOE) because I am committed to making sure that all children in Mendham Township receive a best-in-class education. My wife and I have five children and appreciate the quality of education that our district has offered our children. Four of our children are now grown (a pediatric dentist, a camera operator for television and film, an insurance agent and a graduate student in Russian Studies). Our youngest child is a student at MTMS. Among our children I have experience as being a parent of general education students as well as students with IEPs and 504s and understand and appreciate the unique education and support needed for every student every day. Our schools have done a great job of laying a solid foundation for our children and setting them up for success in high school and beyond. I want to make sure that current and future students in our schools have the same opportunity.
2. I am actively engaged in activities that support our schools:
I am Co-Chair of the HSA Cultural Arts Committee
As Co-Chair of the HSA Cultural Arts Committee, I work closely with our school principals and members of their staff in developing programs for the 2021-2022 school year that offer cultural diversity activities that support the principals’ goals and school curriculum (including the MTMS Windows and Mirrors initiative, the One Book One School initiative, and the NJ state mandated Week of Respect among other initiatives). We are excited by the programming that has already scheduled for this school year.
I am Co-Chair of the Parents Advisory Council for Special Services (“PACSS”)
I am Co-Chair of our school district’s Parent Advisory Council for Special Services. In this capacity I work closely with the school district’s Director of Special Services (Dr. Koroski) on programs and activities that can assist our students who have special needs. Through this effort we have worked with Dr. Koroski to identify and implement new technologies and other opportunity areas that can help our special education students. We have also hosted roundtables with parents to hear of their experiences and get their input on how to provide greater levels of support and assistance for their children who are supported by Special Services and we have scheduled guest speakers on various special education-related topics.
3. How I believe I can help the Board of Education serve our students and community:
I believe my background and experience will permit me to offer the Board some important perspectives and can help the Board in several areas including finance, law, policy, planning, inclusivity and special education. While I am not an education attorney, I have participated in many continuing legal education programs focusing on education and special education law and feel that these programs have given me a good understanding of many of the challenges that school boards face. In the area of finance, I have specialized expertise in finance and feel that I can offer the Board assistance in this area including helping with financial oversight, creating solutions to financial challenges and helping with the budgeting process. I also have substantial experience in Planning and Policy. I believe that my background, experience and team building style will permit me to be an effective contributor to the Board and ensure that we continue to offer a best-in-class education to our students in a fiscally responsible way.
My Background
1. Professional Experience:
Over the course of my career, I have held senior management positions in both Fortune 500 companies and emerging companies and have also served as a strategy consultant (Boston Consulting Group). During my career I have led and been responsible for most key business areas including strategy, corporate development, operations, finance, account management and general management. I have served as an advisor/consultant to many corporate clients on growth and strategic initiatives. For the past ten years I have worked for a specialty law and business advisory firm that specializes in supporting middle market companies seize opportunities and mitigate risk. I did this first within an AMLAW 200 law firm and, now, as part of a family office.
2. Education Background:
• MBA (Stanford University) – emphasis in Strategy, Business Management and Finance. Arjay Miller Scholar (Top 10% of Class)
• JD (Seton Hall University) – emphasis in Corporate and Tax Law. Graduated Magna Cum Laude.
• MA (Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy) – emphasis in International Commercial Relations. Recipient of MacJannet Fellowship for year of specialized studies at the Institut Universitaire des Hautes Etudes Internationales in Geneva, Switzerland.
• BA (Colorado College) – major in Economics. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Honors Society member. Madre Merrill Scholarship recipient for study in Urbino, Italy.
3. Civic/Community Involvement:
I have been involved in many civic/community activities over my time in Mendham including:
• Co-Chair of HSA Cultural Arts Committee
• Co-Chair of MTMS/MTES Parents Advisory Council for Special Services
• Cubmaster of Pack 133
• Co-founder of the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza (keeling-puri-peaceplaza.com) and active participant in International Day of Peace celebrations for school-age children
• Church: Elder, Sunday School Teacher, Youth Group Leader, and Mission Work
• Volunteer Attorney at the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
• Youth Sports Coach/Leader: Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, Track
• Organizer of Volunteer Projects for Various Organizations including Pedals for Progress and Habitat for Humanity
• Project Redwood: Active involvement/Project liaison supporting initiatives in developing countries ( including Guatemala and Kenya ) to improve indigenous quality of life