I've lived in Massachusetts my whole life. I grew up in Mansfield, went to college at Clark University in Worcester, and lived in Boston for a few years where I met my wife, Kelly. We married and bought our home in Sutton in 2017, and we now have three children (aged 8, 6, and 3), all of which go, or will go, to Sutton public schools. I've been working as a physician assistant for the last 9 years, and my specialties are critical care medicine and cardiology. My wife and I love this town, and we plan to stay here for the rest of our lives.

I have been enjoying getting more involved in the community by coaching my kids' soccer and T-ball teams and participating in school events. I've been learning about the municipal government by attending board meetings and watching different committee meetings on Zoom and YouTube.

I believe that people of all ages need to have a stake in town government, including people like myself who are raising young families. We may be busy with work and with taking care of children and parents, but we need to show up, get involved, and have our voices heard, because Democracy only works when people participate.

As for me, this would be my first experience in town government. I have a lot to learn. My first priority is to listen, learn how things are done, and to share my perspective on things while trusting in the expertise and experience of my fellow board members and of the advisory boards.

Despite the challenges, I have a lot to offer. I've received a broad education. I like to take on challenging and complex problems, I don't give up and quit when things are difficult. I am comfortable working with people from all different backgrounds and views. With my experience in healthcare, I am formally trained to gather information from different and often competing sources, to critically evaluate complex systems, to solve problems both with and without having all the information we'd like, to handle sensitive topics with care and discretion, and most important of all, to listen.

To prepare for town government, I have been studying civics, educating myself on past and upcoming issues facing our town, and watching almost every broadcasted board meeting on the Sutton Cable YouTube (Select Board, School board, Zoning board of appeals, Planning board, and conservation committee). There is a lot to keep up with, but I am able to make the time for civic engagement, because I think it’s important.

I can bring a valuable perspective to the board. I do not have a political or ideological agenda, I don’t have any donors or interests supporting me from outside the state or from partisan PACs, and I do not have pre-formed notions about what decisions I would make. As members of this board have pointed out in the past, the select board has access to information that can change one's views. I am someone who always keeps an open mind: I am able to re-evaluate my position on something in light of new information.

I believe that I can soberly reflect on an issue and arrive at a decision that is free from bias or agenda, but that doesn't mean that my values or morals are flexible. I feel strongly that acting as a selectman is an act of public service, and this is something I will commit to do without favoritism. I'm someone who can manage conflict, remain clear sighted in the face of stress and pressure, stick to the facts, and do the right thing even when it's difficult or unpleasant. This May when you're at the ballot box, cast your select board vote for Russell Longendorfer. I won't let you down.