The following is Letter to the Editor submitted by Mark Kost, a candidate for the Board of Selectmen. To submit your own letter, e-mail asylvia@westfordcat.org
I would like to introduce myself as a candidate for the seat on the Board of Selectmen. Having spent the past seven years as a leader and member in a number of important Town committees and initiatives, I understand how vital an experienced and engaged Board member must be. My candidacy for Selectmen is based upon the desire to continue to contribute to the community in positive ways and I understand the difficult decisions that we face in the years to come. My wife and I have been married for 26 years, have resided in Westford for nearly 18 years and my two children have been through all levels of school in town.
My career has spanned over 30 years with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University and a MBA from the University of Chicago with a concentration in finance. I have had successful stints in leadership roles with large, global companies including Ernst and Young, Dun and Bradstreet, PepsiCo, Millennium Pharmaceuticals and Gillette, as well as CFO roles in smaller private enterprises. I am currently a principal partner in a consumer products start-up company.
Starting as a member of the Finance Committee in 2008, I have increased my leadership and involvement in Town steadily through the years, including; Vice-Chair and Chair (current) of the Finance Committee, Chair (current) of the Capital Planning Committee, and Vice-Chair (current) of the Public Works Initiative Committee. I have been a member of the Healthy Lakes and Ponds Initiative, Budget Solutions Task Force and Storm Water Advisory Group. Finally, I have been involved with vendor selection committees such as the town-wide facility study and storm water management.
Whether the discussion is about the businesses I have been a part of or the Town, my beliefs are the same. Decisions should not be political, but rather based upon analytical thought processes that take into account all perspectives and are formed through an intelligent dialog. I have been successful throughout my endeavors by sticking to these beliefs and by being honest. I look forward to doing the same as a Selectman.
Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the views of WestfordCAT, its board of directors or membership.
