REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE INFO

Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Godwin, Matthew Rice, Marabeth Gildersleeve, Thomas Nash, Sandra Downes, Joseph Dinegar, John Sterry Sr., Carl Chudzik, Christopher Orcutt, Brenna Kosicki, Peter Castelli and Richard Varricchio (not pictured John Anderson).

First Selectman
SANDRA M. DOWNES

Sandy and her husband Jim, a longtime real estate broker, and their son Matthew moved to Portland from Glastonbury three years ago and immediately jumped in as community activists. Sandy and Jim are residents at Bartlett Hill where Sandy has served on their Executive Board as well as President of the Bartlett Hill Association. Sandy is Vice Chairman of the PRTC and Chairman of the PRTC Finance Committee.

Sandy brings a highly credentialed, well diversified background that will serve the interest and citizens of Portland well. She received a BA in Psychology and a BS in Education from the University of Connecticut, and has done course work toward her MBA at the University of Hartford. Sandy holds a Juris Doctor degree from Western New England School of Law, which she earned while working full-time and attending law school at night for five years.
Sandy has been employed in the insurance and financial services industry for over 25 years. She currently is Senior Counsel and Assistant Vice President for the Corporate Law Group at The Hartford focusing on technology law with experience in negotiating complex, legal agreements. She recently was part of a team which received the prestigious Chairman’s Award for completing three major acquisitions for the company.

Sandy was instrumental in putting together the survey that the Portland Republicans recently conducted. Sandy is just what Portland needs!

Board of Selectmen

JOHN ANDERSON

John is the Senior Republican Board of Selectmen Member. John was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2003. John is a life-long resident of Portland. John works for his family-owned business Anderson Farm Supply. In his three terms as a Selectman, John has served as chairman of the Board of Selectmen subcommittees for Tax Relief and the use of Town-owned vehicles by employees. He has also served as liaison to many boards and commissions including Economic Development, Long Range Capital Improvements and Water and Sewer. John and his wife Sally have two daughters. John has served the citizens of Portland for the past six years with integrity, honesty and energy. He is a dedicated and experienced.

CARL CHUDZIK

Carl is seeking his second term on the Board of Selectmen. As in anything that he does, Carl is a very active Board member. He has served as chairman of the Energy subcommittee and as a member of the Blight subcommittee. He has lived on Jobs Pond for 22 years with his wife Joann and 9 year old daughter Addie. Carl is the owner and broker of Chudzik Realty since 1988. He holds a Bachelors in Marine Science from St. Francis College in Maine. Carl is an advocate for conservation and Portland waterways. Carl presently holds a 50-ton master Captains License from the United States Coast Guard. His leadership and fiscal responsibility was truly demonstrated in the preparation of the past two municipal budgets.

THOMAS NASH

Tom is a Senior Risk Management Analyst for American Eagle Federal Credit Union in East Hartford. Tom has earned the Certified Protection Professional designation and is Board Certified in Security Management by the American Society for Industrial Security International. Tom is a member and Director of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) and serves as the Connecticut Chapter president, as co-chair of the International’s Training and Education Committee and holds the Certified Financial Crimes Investigator Designation. His 40 years of experience includes nine years of experience in law enforcement. Tom has presented fraud prevention programs nationally. Tom lives on Summer Street with his wife Gloria.

MATTHEW RICE

Matthew is a Mortgage Broker with a background in finance, banking and marketing. He moved to Portland in 2006 while working in the mortgage business as a Loan Officer for HSBC. Matt is a graduate of Quinnipiac University. Matt sees this opportunity as a new challenge which will build upon his past and current experience. Matt recently became involved with the Portland Republicans in the last election cycle. Matt and his wife Maxine reside on Waverly Avenue.


Board of Education

JOSEPH DINEGAR

Joe was born in Quantico, VA and grew up as a Marine brat. He received his BS in Chemistry from The University of New Haven where he also received his MS in Education. Joe has also been involved in a number of community organizations such as The Middlesex Hospital Vocal Chords. He has been a high school Chemistry teacher in Hartford for the past six years and is impassioned to help his students achieve success through positive goal setting strategies, academic diligence and community awareness. Mr. D. as he is known to many of his students, knows first hand how vital a role a teacher plays in every student’s life. Joe moved to Portland in 2004 with his companion Sharon Paddock.


JENNIFER GODWIN

Jenny is a lifelong Portland resident. She is the daughter of Bob & Nancy Godwin and grand daughter of Frank & Audrey Godwin and Dorothy Ahlberg. She is engaged to Stephen Lohmeyer and will be getting married this fall. Jenny is a graduate of Mercy High School and UCONN. She also attended the University of Vermont and studied abroad. She is employed by Liberty Bank and works in the Portland Office. Jenny will bring a young and fresh perspective to the Board of Education.

BRENNA KOSICKI

Brenna is an incumbent on the Board of Education. She is beginning her second year as the Director of Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services for the Hebron Public Schools. Brenna has B.S. in Psychology from State University of New York at Oneonta and a M.S. in Guidance Counseling from Sage Graduate School in Troy, New York and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration for the University of Connecticut. Brenna and her husband Brian have lived in Portland four and a half years and have a four year old son Brandon and a 21 month old daughter Juliette. Brenna is a member of St. Mary Church. Brenna’s educational background enhances the diversity of experience and expertise on the Board.

CHRISTOPHER ORCUTT

Chris and his wife Tami have two sons Jacob age 18 and Zachary age 15. They have lived in town for 14 years. Chris was active in the Portland Fire Department as an EMT and Firefighter and was a Lieutenant at Company 3 for two years. He is serving his third year as the Vice President of the Portland High School Music Boosters. Chris’s educational background includes undergraduate degrees in Veterinary Medicine (AAS, SUNY Delhi 1983) and Biology (BS, Utica College of Syracuse University) with a Masters degree in Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of New Haven. He has been employed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Company for 14 years, and is the Associate Director of Expedited Safety Reporting.

Board of Assessment Appeals

PETER CASTELLI

Peter is a life-long Portland resident seeking his second term on the Board of Assessment Appeals. Peter graduated from Queens College, New York with a B. A. in Political Science. Peter is employed by A & A Office Systems as a Software Solution Specialist. Peter and his wife Sandra reside on Penfield Hill Road. Peter’s breadth of business experience is a tremendous asset as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals.

MARABETH GILDERSLEEVE

Marabeth has lived in Portland her entire life. She graduated from Regis College in Weston, MA as an Economics major. Marabeth has been in the real estate business for 27 years. She is now with Prudential in Glastonbury. Her real estate and economics background will truly serve Portland well as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals. Marabeth has three daughters—Debbie, Jill and Sara.

Zoning Board of Appeals

JACK STERRY

Jack has an extensive resume. He served 40 years on the Board of Assessment Appeals. He is currently a member of the Portland Veterans Commission. Jack has served Portland in so many ways over the years. He was recognized in July with the Lifetime Republican Award for a lifetime of community service and dedication. Jack and his wife reside on Old Marlborough Turnpike. They have four children and six grandchildren.

RICHARD VARRICCHIO

Richard (Dan) just recently graduated as a Surgical Technologist and prior to that worked in the transportation industry for over 25 years. Dan has served on the Portland Senior Citizen Advisory Board and as a Boy Scout Leader. He works part time as Marine Auxiliary Officer for the Town of Essex and seeking employment as a Surgical Technologist. Dan his wife Cindy have two grown children.