2025 MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES

Andrea is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and spent her entire professional career in public service, working for the State Department of Social Services and the UConn School of Social Work as an Associate Director. Andrea retired in 2020 after over 30 years of state service.

Andrea was a member of the Portland Board of Education from 2008 to 2017. She served as the secretary/vice chairperson and chaired the policy subcommittee, and continues to be a strong advocate of public education. Andrea remains active in the Portland community in leadership roles, as the current chair of the Democratic Town Committee, and serving as the vice president of her homeowner’s association.

Andrea and her husband, Ralph, have resided in Portland for nearly 30 years. They have an adult son, Stephen, who attended Portland Public Schools and went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut.

“Portland is a great community and I am eager to continue my commitment to public service as a member of Board of Selectmen. If elected, I will work diligently alongside other town and elected officials to keep Portland moving forward.”

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John Dillon has served on the Board of Selectmen since 2021. He was previously an elected member and Chairman of the Board of Assessment Appeals. 

John retired from the CT Dept. of Social Services Office of Child Support Services in 2022 as statewide Program Director after a 35 year career. He is a fourth generation Portland resident, and a graduate of Portland High School and Central Connecticut State University. John has served the community as an Assistant Scoutmaster, vice president of the Portland Agricultural Fair Association, a member of the Portland Inland Wetlands Commission, and Chairman of St. Mary’s Parish Council. In 2013, John was a recipient of the Ralph Paley Spirit of Portland Award.

In addition to his tenure on the Board of Selectmen, John is a Justice of the Peace, a lector at St. Mary’s Church, and a member of Freestone Council #7 Knights of Columbus. John and his wife, Maura, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

“Serving my home town in any capacity has always been my passion, and looking out for the best interest of Portland residents has always been a part of that service. Throughout my life I’ve found that decision making is rarely simple. Every issue is unique and every decision, no matter its size or complexity, has a short and long term impact on someone or something. I have done my best to bring this thought process to every issue addressed during my tenure on the Board of Selectmen, and will continue to do my very best in support of all Portland residents.”

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David Kuzminski brings over 50 years of dedicated service to the Town of Portland, retiring in 2024 as the town’s Technology Coordinator. A longtime leader in public service and environmental stewardship, he played a key role in launching the Town Tech Educational Partnership Program, which connected Portland High School students with real-world technology projects—including building the town’s first website.

David has served on numerous town and regional committees, including the Democratic Town Committee and the Portland Water and Sewer Commission. He has also chaired both the Conservation Commission and the Website Committee, and remains actively involved with the Cross Connection and Public Information Committees. His longstanding contributions to the water sector have earned him both state and national recognition, including the prestigious George Warren Fuller Award and the 2024 Champion of Water Award.

“I am a passionate educator and community advocate. As co-founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Music and Dance, I’ve had the opportunity to combine my love for the arts with a deep commitment to serving our community. I remain dedicated to fostering innovation, transparency, and civic engagement here in Portland.”

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Jim Tripp is a familiar face to many through his volunteer work spanning more than two decades. He has demonstrated his commitment to the Portland community through service in volunteer organizations, on town commissions, and as an elected official. Jim’s public service was recognized in 2022 when he was honored to receive the Ralph Paley Spirit of Portland Award.

Jim is currently serving his sixth year as a member of the Board of Selectmen. As a selectman, Jim has shown consistent support for public safety and a focus on economic development projects like Brainerd Place and the redevelopment of the Portland riverfront. During his tenure on the BoS, he has worked toward completion of the Route 17 Recreational Complex, sidewalk improvements, addressing the town’s water and sewer challenges, and ensuring support of Portland’s excellent public schools. Jim is active with the Brownstone Quorum and Portland Lions, and previously served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Vice Chair of the Route 17 Park Building Committee, Chair of the Water and Sewer Commission, and on the Board of Education.

Jim holds a B.S. in Engineering from UMASS-Dartmouth and a M.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has enjoyed a 34-year career in the private sector, primarily in telecom, and currently works as a Senior Manager of Construction, managing a team of over 60 employees. He and his wife, Liz, have lived in Portland for the past 26 years, raising their two children here.

“As a public servant, my guiding principle has always been to do what is right for Portland. As a member of the Board of Selectmen, I will continue to work with my fellow Selectmen to implement cost effective solutions for our water system, to encourage economic development, and support our schools, to ensure we keep moving Portland forward.”

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Jody Grosso has a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has worked at Pratt & Whitney as a Mechanical Design Engineer for 27+ years (and counting), with the past 7 years in a leadership role as a Mechanical Design Discipline Manager. He has done volunteer work for the United Way, Engineers without Borders, the CT Foodshare, and the Portland Food Bank.

Jody moved to Portland with his wife, Carol, 14 years ago. They chose Portland primarily for its amazing school system. Jody and Carol are raising 3 boys: an 18 year old who recently graduated from Vinal Tech, a 15 year old who currently attends PHS, and a 12 year old who attends PMS. The Grosso kids have had great experiences with all the Portland schools, the awesome teachers, and staff, and Jody wants to help ensure future families can experience the same benefits.

“I’m running for the board of education because ensuring a quality education for all children is a top priority for me. As an engineering manager who actively recruits from colleges and the industry, I understand how competitive it is in the workforce and the value of a good, robust education. My engineering experience enables me to objectively weigh all options to solve the issues that will face the BOE.”

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Erin Livensparger is the director of a small charitable foundation. She previously spent more than 20 years working in reproductive health care and social justice, serving communities across Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts through Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and Title X family planning clinics. A graduate of Oberlin College, she has written comprehensive sexuality education curricula aligned with state education standards and has trained educators on health, wellness, and equity-focused practices.

A Portland resident for two decades, Erin lives with her parents, husband, and two children (ages 15 and 12) on her family’s three-generation farm, Fire Ring Farm. She is actively involved in the community, having served as secretary for both the Portland Little League Board of Directors and the Democratic Town Committee, and participated in Portland Solidarity Committee initiatives. At Fire Ring Farm, Erin partners with the nonprofit Everyone Outside as a nature connection mentor and summer camp director, helping children and families build deeper relationships with the natural world.

“With my experience as a reproductive health advocate, I know what it means to center marginalized communities and will bring that equity lens to the work of the Board of Education on behalf of all Portland’s children and families.”

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Kim Nagy-Maruschock has served on the Board of Education since 2022, and currently serves on the district’s Curriculum and School Grounds Committees. Kim holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from UConn, a Master’s in Special Education from SCSU, and a Sixth-Year degree in Educational Leadership from CCSU. Kim has been a special education teacher for over 23 years and is the Preschool Coordinator of the early intervention preschool program in Cromwell.

Kim has been an active member of the Portland community for the past 26 years, volunteering at many school and community events, including book fairs, project graduation fundraisers, and riverfront clean-ups. Additionally, Kim served on the Portland Little League Board of Directors and coached softball.

Kim and her husband, Scott, are raising three children who are all recent graduates of Portland’s schools.

“With my experience in education, I understand the needs of a school system and am a strong advocate of public education. Given the opportunity to continue my service on the Board of Education, I will continue to ensure the decisions made provide an equitable education to the students of Portland in a supportive learning environment where the students and employees feel valued and heard.”

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Bethanne Vergean has lived in Portland for 16 years and is a dedicated advocate for children and families with over 20 years of experience working with young children with disabilities and those who are medically fragile. Bethanne is Connecticut’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Ambassador through the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, leading statewide initiatives at UConn Health to improve developmental screening and early intervention. She also serves as Chapter President for the Connecticut Division for Early Childhood.

Within the Portland community, Bethanne serves on the Portland Soccer Club Board, coaches youth soccer and recreational basketball, and teaches Church School at First Congregational Church.

Bethanne, along with her husband, Anthony, and their son, Cooper, a proud 7th grader at Portland Middle School, feel grateful to call Portland home and to be part of such a supportive community.

“As both a parent and a professional, I will bring experience, collaboration, and a strong commitment to education. On the Board of Education, I will listen to the community, elevate student voices, and support educators in creating safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environments for all students.”

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Christopher Darby is a current member of the Board of Assessment Appeals and a former member of the Portland Board of Education, serving two terms from 2013 - 2021. He has a deep commitment to community service and sustainable community, having served as a member of the Zion Lutheran Church Council and the Portland Complete Streets Group. Christopher is also a longtime supporter of the Middlesex Land Trust, and has served as a volunteer coach with Portland Soccer Club youth soccer and the Boy Scouts of America. 

Christopher has been an English teacher at Middletown High School since 1999, where he has also been employed as a department coordinator, English Language Learner instructor, Adult Education instructor, and a former executive and current building steward with the Middletown Federation of Teachers. He has served as a mentor for aspiring educators through the Future Teachers of America and is also an adjunct instructor with the University of Connecticut Early College Experience program. 

Originally from Tennessee and raised in Iowa, Christopher and his wife, Kerry, a proud PHS alumna, have lived in Portland for twenty years. Their two children graduated from Portland High School in 2019 and 2021. 

"Given the opportunity to serve as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, I plan to support the Portland community by learning how to use our community resources to best serve the needs of our taxpayers. I believe our community can maintain our small town character, support local businesses, and pursue sustainable growth for generations to come." 

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Lauren DeCaprio is a 13 year resident of Portland, living here with her partner and their combined five kids. She graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in May, is eagerly awaiting her bar exam results, and recently began working at Kenneth Barber & Associates in East Hampton.

Lauren proudly served on the Portland Board of Education from 2020-2022, when she stepped down to focus on law school. She has been a member of the Portland Democratic Town Committee since 2017, and was an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Before pursuing her dreams of becoming an attorney, Lauren was an elementary school music teacher. 

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Kathy Richards is a graduate of Portland High School and the University of Connecticut, and received her MBA from the University of Hartford.

Kathy briefly filled a vacancy on the Portland Board of Education before running for the Board of Selectmen, where she served the Portland community as a selectman for 14 years.

Currently a director at the Portland Historical Society, Kathy is also president of the Zion Lutheran Church Council, a member of the Swedish Cemetery Committee, and a Justice of the Peace.

Kathy and her husband, Bill, ran a local construction company for 50 years, retiring in 2019. They have two adult children and eight grandchildren, all graduates of Portland High School or currently attending Portland public schools. They are also proud great-grandparents of one.

“I look forward to serving on the Board of Assessment Appeals  to make sure all taxpayers are treated fairly and with respect.”

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Cindy Tyler moved to Portland in 2008, owns two properties in town and continues to enjoy the multi-year process of restoring her mid-century modern home.

Her two careers spanned more than 40 years of government service. First, as a psychiatric nurse, Cindy spent 16 years at the CT Mental Health Center (CMHC). While maintaining her hospital responsibilities, she graduated with honors from the UConn School of Law and ended her nursing career as Associate Director of Nursing and Risk Manager.

As an attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, she investigated medical malpractice claims and defended the United States in federal court as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. She also managed General Counsel offices across New England until assuming Washington D.C. responsibilities in 2015. Cindy retired in 2022 as Chief Ethics Counsel for VA’s 400,000+ employees.

Obligated by federal rules to be publicly apolitical, Cindy celebrated her retirement by becoming an active member of the Portland DTC. In 2024 she joined Portland’s Committee on Solidarity and, in 2025, she became chair. She is proud of the committee’s work and looks forward to helping Portland increase and celebrate its diversity.

Recently, Cindy has been co-leader of the weekly ‘support democracy’ rallies at Main St. and Route 66.

“Serving on the Board of Assessment Appeals would provide an opportunity to continue contributing to Portland while learning more about the town and the diverse properties that make up our community.”

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