Donald Sharpe

62 Underhill Road

Sandy Hook, CT 06482

203-426-5539

don@design-ltd.com

As a long-time journalist who has always worked elsewhere, I’ve loved living in Newtown because of its small-town nature and the decent people who live here. My wife and I raised two children in Sandy Hook, starting in a tiny four-room log cabin on Lake Zoar and later building a larger home on the same street. Our children attended Newtown schools, marched in the Labor Day Parade and took part in town recreation programs. Our family volunteered together, attending lots of PTA, Scouting and sporting events. We’re fortunate that both children still live nearby.

I’m co-chairman of the EDC because I’m a sucker for a challenge and believe that Newtown needs more substantial local jobs and services for its residents and a business-friendly attitude without sacrificing the “character” and amenities that make it special.

After many decades in the newspaper business (with a side career in construction) I now manage a custom log and timber-frame home business with my wife, Jane.  In my earlier career I was a journalist at nearly a dozen newspapers, from small weeklies to the nation’s largest. At the New Haven Register and Journal-Courier, I became the principal editor of both papers and a vice president of the corporation. Working at a heavy construction firm for a couple of years -- plus a good deal of home building -- have made me value using my hands as well my brain. I’m committed to keeping it “Nicer in Newtown,” a slogan I hate, but which reflects why I believe most people live and work here.

Margaret Oliger

196 Brushy Hill Rd

Newtown, CT  06470

203-270-8914

Maggiejeans@sbcglobal.net

I have lived in Newtown nearly all of my life.  I married my husband Greg in 1988 and we have two daughters. 

I have deep roots in the business community in Newtown.  My parents, Frank and Audrey Pitrone, owned Apex Glass since 1962 as a family business originally operated from our home.  Today, my brother Frank and his wife Linda continue the business which will be celebrating 50 years of doing business in Newtown from their location in Sandy Hook Center.

My husband Greg and his brother Dave own and operate Newtown Power Equipment.  Newtown Power Equipment was started in the early 1980’s in a small garage which is still part of the building the business operates from today. 

Like many residents of Newtown, I was frustrated with rising taxes and the burden it placed on homeowners, especially our growing senior population.  I believe in actively seeking balance in our tax base by expanding the commercial and industrial tax contributions, while preserving the unique character of Newtown.

I attended Newtown Public Schools, and have a BA in Accounting from Western Connecticut State University and I am a member of the Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society, Business Administration.  I also hold an MBA in Finance from Sacred Heart University, and I am a Certified Project Management Professional. 

I have over 25 years of experience in International Business.  During that time, I was employed at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals for over 20 years in the Finance department and I spent time as a Controller for a manufacturing and government contracting company, Smiths Detection. 

Walter S. Motyka

5 Kent Road

Newtown, CT  06470

wsmotyka@aol.com

Principal, Motyka Associates LLC, consultant to Fortune 500 companies for master planning and project management. Recent clients include: Pepsi, Middough Engineering, Cargill, Con-Agra, Yale, and Jacobs Engineering.

Professional Experience:

• Senior Director Logistics & Strategic Planning, Jacobs Engineering

• Director of Manufacturing Technology, Lockwood Greene

• Director of World Wide Facilities, Photronics

• Vice President, Strategic Planning, Schumacher & Forelle

• Director of Semiconductor and Government Facilities, Perkin-Elmer

• Director, Central Facilities, UniRoyal World Headquarters and R& D Center

• Group Leader, Power Distribution, DuPont/Remington Arms

• Field Engineer, High Voltage Engineering at various NASA sites & MIT Labs

40 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies on both sides of the corporate client/supplier relationship.  Served companies involved in a wide range of activities from pure R&D research facilities to pilot plants to high-tech, high-volume manufacturing. Specific positions include field engineering, facilities operations, full-service engineering support, logistics, and master planning. Developed tactical plans for clients based on their strategic business plans, goals, and objectives: introducing products, reducing unit costs, and integrating process improvements. Achieved success through integrating both proven and new industrial technology concepts: master planning, value engineering, logistics, and lean manufacturing. Typical industries served include: NASA/aerospace and high-tech manufacturing for semi-conductor, food & beverage, pharmaceutical & biotech industries.  

Education:  B.S. Industrial Technology, Northeastern University

Professional memberships:

• Institute of Industrial Engineers,

• Institute of Pharmaceutical Engineers

• Institute of Environmental Science and Technology

Civic Participation:

• Vice Chairman and Past Chairman, Economic Development Commission

• Technical Advisor, Fairfield Hills Authority

• Various roles with FHH development teams since 1993

• Rotary, past president

• Jaycees, past member

A resident of Newtown for over 40 years, resides at 5 Kent Road with wife, Sandra.

JOSEPH R. HUMESTON

8 Jeremiah Road

Sandy Hook, CT  06482

203.426.6650

humeston@charter.net

Resident of Newtown for over 50 years

Married – Ginger

Three Children – 2 living – two daughters

Three Step Children

11 Grandchildren

Retired – Trustee, Corporator, Senior Executive Vice president, corporate Secretary of the Board, Newtown Savings Bank

Former – Director, Vice president, Corporator, Savings Bank of Danbury

Former – State of Connecticut Bank Examiner

Past – Trustee, President, Vice President, Treasurer, Finance Committee Chairman, CH Booth Library

Past – Chairman, Board of Directors, youth and Family Services, Newtown

Past – Vice President, Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Board Member

Past – Chair and Co-Chair Newtown Local Housing Partnership

Past – Board Member Housing Opportunities Team, united Way of Northern Fairfield County

Past – Director of Housatonic Habitat for Humanity

Interested in developing and introducing commerce and attracting viable businesses within our community to benefit our tax base and economic base.

Education:  Graduate – Graduate School of Banking,

                                           Brown University, Providence, RI

                                          Graduate, Executive Development School, 

                                          Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Over twenty five years of bank experience in Newtown.

Elana A. Bertram

4 Windy Woods Circle

Newtown, CT  06470

(203) 788-7097

elana.bertram@gmail.com

Ms. Bertram was born in Danbury Hospital and went through the Newtown school system, graduating from Newtown High School before attending Mount Holyoke College and Quinnipiac University School of Law. 

A lifelong equestrian, Ms. Bertram has competed on a national level and continues to ride and foxhunt her horse Lancelot.  She sits on the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection’s Conservation Advisory Council. 

She founded Hawley Legal Resources, LLC in Newtown to help small business owners protect their intellectual property assets, and the business continues to grow.  She is admitted to practice law in Connecticut and with the United State Patent and Trademark Office. 

I am a lifelong resident of Newtown, and I have seen it grow over several decades.  As a professional who helps businesses develop, I respect the benefits and revenue that come from a vigorous commercial sector.  As a citizen, it’s important to me to balance the expansion of business with retaining it’s the beautiful, open, and colonial character that makes Newtown stand out among its neighbors.  I am honored to be a part of the EDC, which is uniquely poised to maximize Newtown’s commercial effectiveness with an awareness and appreciation for the character and feel of our town. 

Ms. Bertram graduated magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University School of Law and was editor-in-chief of the Quinnipiac Health Law Journal.  She has extensive corporate experience with major corporations such as Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Thomson Reuters.  She has also helped nonprofit organizations such as the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation of Norwalk and the Woodbury Litchfield Hills Foxhounds, Inc. 

Joe Tarshis

11 Phyllis Lane

Newtown, CT  06470

203-364-8686

JTESource@charter.net

Joe and Susan, his better have of 35 years, moved from New Jersey to Newtown in 1984 with their four year old daughter, Katherine. Along the way came Nichole and Elizabeth in five year increments. Katherine is married to Charles and resides outside of Atlanta with their 20 month old son, the first grandchild. Joe has enjoyed testing his abilities and limits by participating in caving, cliff repelling, and flying a 2 person helicopter.

Joe has over 25 years of management experience in developing and running field service computer repair operations. He is a college graduate with a Bachelor of Science from Bethany College and an MBA from University of Connecticut. Over the last 7 years Joe has been a franchisee of the Entrepreneur's Source, working in the capacity as a self employment specialist. He helps individuals who are in career transition to explore the possibility of becoming self employed in their own business. This experience has brought Joe in depth knowledge of many different business models and industry. Over the last 5 years Joe has also worked with individuals with disabilities across the Country in launching and running their own businesses. 

Once Joe transitioned out of the corporate environment to that of his own business, he finally had the opportunity to give back to his community. He became an active member of the Newtown Rotary Club in 2005, presently serving as their treasurer for the Club and Foundation. He also served on the board of WeCahr, a non-profit advocacy group serving those with disabilities throughout the area. He felt taking a role on the Economic Development Commission would enable him to put to use his past experiences while better helping  individuals within Newtown to become self employed while in turn would help the town as a whole.