Board of Selectmen
MARK RICKETTS, Colonel, USAR Retired
Candidate for First Selectman
Mark served from 2019 to 2023 as an alternate on the Planning and Zoning Commission, where he assisted the town in the development of key economic opportunities. He has been a resident of East Granby for 21 years and is committed to providing trusted leadership and a strong financial background to the town. Mark worked in a variety of positions at The Hartford, primarily focusing on systems development, budget planning and oversight of operations. Mark’s education includes a Master’s Degree in Business Management from Syracuse University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Mark is a team player committed to supporting the town leadership to advance smart growth, quality education and sound financial planning. Mark is also a proud veteran retiring as an Army Colonel who served his country and hopes to serve his town in the same fashion.
AMANDA THOMPSON
Candidate for Board of Selectman
Amanda Thompson has served 13 years on the East Granby Land Trust Board/Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy currently serving her second term as president. She worked for the East Granby Public Library front desk and as library historian converting many of the historical archives to digital for all to enjoy. She spent 7 years on the Allgrove/Seymour PTO, 4 of it as PTO hot lunch coordinator for Allgrove/Seymour PTO and is in her 2nd year at EGMS PTO as hot lunch coordinator bring hot lunch to both the middle and high school. She has been a Scouting BSA Assistant Scout Master for 3 years and was a Den Leader for 7 years as well as Committee Chair for 3 years for Pack 70 Cub Scouts. She has spent 6 years on the Planning and Zoning Commission working to grow healthy business while still keeping the character of East Granby that we all enjoy.
She spent 8 years hosting Town Topics for GCTV to make sure the public knew what is currently happening in our community.
She has spent time working with Park and Rec, YAC, Dept of Public Works, Commission on Aging, Nourish My Soul, Newgate Prison and Copper Mine, East Granby Schools, and East Granby Library to coordinate a variety of programming to town. Most recently she has been working on Doreen‘s Natural Trail Committee, coordinating a trail from Seymour School to Granbrook Park and on the Farmers Market Committee.
She does these things because she feel it is important to do her part helping keep East Granby the great town it is.
Board of Finance
JEFF CLARK
Candidate for Board of Finance
Jeff is currently Chairman of the East Granby Board of Finance. He is a leader who is fluent in the workings of town government and finances who served the town over the past 26 years on the Economic Development Commission (1997-2001), the Board of Education (2002-2012), and the Board of Finance since 2019.
Jeff was a leader during his time on the Board of Education. He served as Vice-Chair and Chair; he earned the Master Board of Education Member designation from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), and served the region and state by serving on the CABE Leadership Council and as a Member of the Capital Region Education Council (CREC).
His experience and success on the Boards of Finance and Education came through listening to the community, developing an understanding of how school and town budgets work, and maintaining collaborative and respectful relationships between the Boards of Education, Finance and Selectmen.
JIM MCPHERSON
Candidate for Board of Finance
Jim is 42 years old and has been married to his wife, Kelly, for 19 years. He has three girls (22, 16, and 11) who have all attended East Granby Public schools. At 20 years old, Jim joined the US Army as an Infantry Man. While serving in the Army, Jim graduated from Ranger School and served as a sniper in 1st Squadron 71st Cavalry of the 10th Mountain Division, with three combat tours: one in Afghanistan, and two in Iraq totaling over 4 years deployed. After being medically retired in August 2011, Jim was a civil servant for the US Army as a Cyber Security professional. Currently, Jim works for a Defense Contractor that specializes in the defense of our nation's critical infrastructure and Department of Defense organizations.
As a proud father and husband to an amazing wife, Jim believes in: a strong East Granby Public school system that builds the towns future generations, economic development that brings smart tax revenue to the town, and the compromise that is necessary to develop an East Granby community spirit.
Board of Education
AMANDA PASKIEWICZ-CORMIER
Candidate for Board of Education
Amanda Paskiewicz Cormier has lived in East Granby most of her 40 years of life and is a proud graduate of the EGHS Class of 2001. She is passionate about education and is in her 15th year as a middle school counselor. Amanda and her husband, Bryan, have two children in the East Granby School District, and she is very involved in the community as a parent. She is currently serving her 7th year as the Allgrove/Seymour PTO Co-President, is a member of the Middle School PTO, serves on the Town of East Granby Juvenile Review Board, was a local Girl Scout Leader for several years, and has been a member of the Board of Education for over two years, where she proudly serves on the communications, curriculum and policy committees. As an alumni of the district with 15 years of experience as an educator, Amanda’s vested interest as a parent with multiple volunteer roles serving the youth in our community makes her the ideal candidate to continue to serve on the East Granby Board of Education.
LISA GRIFFIN
Candidate for Board of Education
Lisa Griffin has served on the East Granby Board of Education since December 2022 and on the Inland Wetlands/Conservation Commission since December of 2021, delivering thoughtful leadership and responsible oversight during a critical time period for the town.
Lisa earned a degree in Biology from Cornell University, where she also met her husband, Jonathan. Later, she earned a Masters in Science Education at the University of Florida, and applied that degree while teaching in both the highschool and community college classrooms. More recently, Lisa has been managing the family vegetable farm, known locally as Oxen Hill Farm, CSA. There, she runs the day-to-day operations of the business, balancing labor management with wholesale business and farm customer service. The Griffin family has deep agricultural roots in the community, having farmed continuously over 11 generations.
Lisa is an active member and Sunday School teacher at the Copper Hill Church where she has served as Treasurer for the past 9 years. Lisa volunteers with the East Granby PTO, and serves as a town Representative on the Suffield Regional Agriscience Center Consulting Committee.
Lisa Griffin is an experienced manager, accustomed to the high-impact decision-making that is required when running a farm business. Her relevant track record as an educator, and as a parent of students in the East Granby Schools, means that Lisa is well-prepared to make wise decisions to advocate for and serve the children of our community as a member of the Board of Education.
Planning and Zoning Commission
BRIAN O’CONNOR
Candidate for Planning and Zoning Commission
Brian O’Connor moved to East Granby in 2016 with his wife and two children. His family chose East Granby because of its excellent school system, rural feel, and reasonable tax rates. His two sons attend East Granby High School and he and his wife own a business in town, making him especially qualified to understand the complexities and challenges of operating a small business.
Brian is a member of the Economic Development Commission as well as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals. He is proud to call East Granby his home and he is committed to putting in the hard work to make our town a better place to live and do business in.
JEFF HECHT
Candidate for Planning and Zoning Commission
Jeffrey Hecht is excited to run for a seat on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Our community is what makes this town so special, and he’s eager to get involved.
East Granby has been Jeff and his family’s home for the past 8 years and he values the strong sense of community here. His three children actively participate in the fantastic programs our town has to offer and Jeff believes in giving back to the community. This is why you may find him coaching rec sports, attending town meetings, or just being a positive voice.
With a career in finance, Jeff understands the importance of new tax revenue, but he also values preserving our town's small-town charm. His goal is to find that balance – helping our town grow while protecting what makes it special.
Planning & Zoning Commission Alternates
AUSTIN GELINAS
Candidate for Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
Austin is an undergraduate chemical engineering student at the University of Connecticut involved in renewable/alternative energy research and project management. He recently completed a solar engineering internship at a solar operations and maintenance company, where he troubleshooted and conducted site assessments for commercial solar arrays throughout New England. Currently, he is applying his skills as a research and development intern for Capitol Clean Cities of Connecticut, actively working with school boards and municipalities on their transition to alternative vehicle infrastructure. He provides organizations with resources and funding options for sustainable fleet upgrades and safety programs.
Austin is interested in conducting an engineering optimization analysis to understand electricity generation, steam production, and emissions for the University of Connecticut over the next few years. He believes that this analysis will help him to better understand energy transmission and distribution systems for the Connecticut region.
Younger generations need to have fair representation at the forefront of legislative practices to ensure that their best interests are considered in the decision-making process. I would like to help bridge that gap through involvement in the political hemisphere.
Brian Kleinman
Candidate for Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
Brian Kleinman is a Connecticut native who grew up in Barkhamsted and moved to East Granby in 2003. He and his wife, Sara, have three children who attend East Granby schools. He graduated from Franklin Pierce University with a BA in Biology and a Minor in Art.
Brian is the owner of Riverside Reptiles Education Center, a zoo open to the public that is dedicated to reptiles and amphibians. He also runs Riverside Reptiles educational outreach programs that teach students and children about amphibians and reptiles using live specimens.
Brian was a member of the East Granby Land Trust and he often leads various bird walks and nature walks. He is also a lifelong member of the Hartford Audubon Society.
LISA MENDES
Candidate for Planning & Zoning Commission Alternate
Lisa moved back to East Granby over twenty years ago to raise her son after spending her late teens and early twenties living and working in town. She has, in the past, worked for the East Granby Public Library and as a substitute teacher in East Granby schools. Prior volunteer opportunities included raising funds for East Granby Public Library and Women’s Club of East Granby. As a full-time Librarian and a proud union member, Lisa is dedicated to helping people find information and use library services. She’s looking forward to this new opportunity to help create a better community for all.
Zoning Board of Appeals
MIKE MALLOY
Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals
Mike Malloy has tirelessly served out town in a variety of elected positions. His 30 years as a business owner in the automotive industry bring a professional perspective to the board. He has also served the town on the PZC, ZBA, IWC, and is in his second term on the Board of Finance. He is the proud father of a recent East Granby grad. Mike adds valued business experience to the ZBA.
JIM MCPHERSON
Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals
Jim is 42 years old and has been married to his wife, Kelly, for 19 years. He has three girls (22, 16, and 11) who have all attended East Granby Public schools. At 20 years old, Jim joined the US Army as an Infantry Man. While serving in the Army, Jim graduated from Ranger School and served as a sniper in 1st Squadron 71st Cavalry of the 10th Mountain Division, with three combat tours: one in Afghanistan, and two in Iraq totaling over 4 years deployed. After being medically retired in August 2011, Jim was a civil servant for the US Army as a Cyber Security professional. Currently, Jim works for a Defense Contractor that specializes in the defense of our nation's critical infrastructure and Department of Defense organizations.
As a proud father and husband to an amazing wife, Jim believes in: a strong East Granby Public school system that builds the towns future generations, economic development that brings smart tax revenue to the town, and the compromise that is necessary to develop an East Granby community spirit.
Zoning Board of Appeals Alternates
JOSETTE LUMBRUNO
Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
Josette Lumbruno has lived in EG since 1978. For the past two years, she has been co-chairman for the Commission on Youth Services. She has volunteered her meditation teachings to the Girl Scouts, Youth Action Council, teachers in East Granby, as well as organized several food drives for the East Granby food pantry and the Jordan Porco Foundation.
Josette is involved in the Livestrong Program for cancer survivors and volunteers at Dog Star Rescue. She has raised a daughter who went through the East Granby school system.
BOB RAVENS-SEGER
Candidate for Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate
Bob Ravens-Seger is a long-time resident of East Granby with an unbroken 25 years of public service in both elective and appointive offices both in East Granby and (before that) Suffield. He is a professor of History and Religious Studies at American International College in Springfield, MA, and an interpretive guide at Old Newgate Prison and Copper Mine. Currently, Bob chairs the Youth Services Commission and is President of the Friends of Old Newgate. He also serves in the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy, the Building Commission, and countless others, past and present. A former chairman of the Board of Education from 2017-2019, he oversaw a $17,000,000 annual budget. Bob is committed to smart growth for the Town of East Granby, responsibly managing the Town budget. As a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission from 2014-2019, he participated in crafting the current Plan of Conservation and Development (2016) and opposed the two new gas stations on Route 20 and the early stages of the discussion of the prospective mega-warehouse. Bob is committed to growing the tax base through sensible growth choices, maintaining high-quality education, and efficient and orderly Town government. He brings to the table Experience that Works!
Board of Assessment Appeals
JENNIFER COOK
Candidate for Board of Assessment Appeals
Jen Cook grew up in East Granby. Even before she attended school officially she knew her way around every school in East Granby as an "assistant" to her mother, a music teacher in the East Granby Public Schools. After graduating from EGHS she attended Hartford College for Women and the University of Hartford where she studied women's studies and history. From there she moved to Washington D.C. where she edited a local newsletter, and taught in the DC Public School system. Jen has served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. As a homeowner and native of East Granby she understands the need for fair tax assessment to all of our property owners.