About Dick

Debbie and I have called Lenox home for more than 40 years. Over that time, I’ve come to care deeply about this town, its people, and the schools that help shape its future.

I’m running for the School Committee because I believe strong schools are one of the things that make Lenox such a special place to live. They matter not just to students and families, but to the entire community.

My Background

My background is in education, engineering, and academic leadership. I’ve spent much of my career teaching students, advising them, leading programs, and helping institutions focus on quality, standards, and long-term success.

That work is grounded in my experience in higher education, including faculty and department leadership roles at SUNY Maritime College, RPI, and other institutions.

Throughout my career, I’ve focused on helping students succeed and helping institutions think carefully about what they are trying to achieve—and how to do it well.

Service in Lenox

Here in Lenox, I’ve tried to stay involved in the life of the community.

I’ve served on the Conservation Commission and the Finance Committee, and I currently serve on the Lenox School Committee. Those roles have given me a deeper understanding of how the town works and how decisions in one area affect others.

I’ve also served my community through my church, including roles on the vestry and as Senior Warden, as well as other forms of service over the years. More recently, I’ve joined the board of the Lenox Land Trust.

Why the Schools Matter

I know from my own experience how much schools can change a life.

I grew up on a farm, one of eight children. My father worked in a factory, and neither of my parents had the opportunity to go to college. But they worked hard to give me that opportunity, and along the way, teachers saw something in me that helped shape the path I took.

That experience has stayed with me.

Whether a student plans to go to college, enter a trade, or follow another path, what matters is that they have the opportunity to succeed. Schools play a central role in creating those opportunities.

Strong schools also matter to the town as a whole. They are one of the reasons people choose to live here and one of the reasons they stay. They contribute directly to the quality of life in Lenox and to the strength of the community.

Looking Ahead

Lenox is fortunate to have strong schools and a community that supports them.

At the same time, education is changing. New technologies, including artificial intelligence, are already beginning to reshape how students learn and what they need to know. Preparing students for that future—while staying grounded in the fundamentals—will be an ongoing challenge.

I believe in a steady, thoughtful approach: supporting what is working, paying attention to what needs improvement, and making decisions with the long term in mind.

Why I’m Running

I’m running because I want to help protect one of the things that makes Lenox such a special place to live: strong schools and real opportunities for every student.