My family and I have called North Canaan home since the late 19th century. For over 25 years, I have committed my life to public service and community outreach. My willingness and compassion to serve others runs deep through my bloodlines. I am the proud grandson of the late Henry Pozzetta, former First Selectman and Tax Collector for the Town of North Canaan, and the great-grandson of the late William Menser, a former Connecticut State Police Lieutenant and one of the last elected High Sheriffs of Litchfield County. During my 4 years of vocational education at the Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington, CT, I quickly became a voice and an advocate for my graduating class. My pathway through public service began in 2000 when I became a volunteer member of my hometown’s local fire and EMS departments. During the summer of 2001, between my junior and senior year of high school, I raised my right hand and was sworn into the United States Army Military Police Corps - CT National Guard. Military service was a perfect fit for me, as I wanted to serve my country and remain committed to the safety and well-being of my beloved state and hometown. 

For 12 years, my military service would take me all over the world. I volunteered for each of my three combat tours of duty overseas. First serving in Baghdad, Iraq from 2003 to 2004 and later serving in Mosul, Iraq from 2006 to 2007, when I returned to be part of the war's surge efforts. During these two combat tours, I served in every position within my unit and quickly became a squad leader, often times organizing and leading numerous combat support and national police mentoring missions. In 2011, I again felt the need to serve overseas. My third combat tour would position me as a member of a multi-service security force tasked with protecting a multi-national Provincial Reconstruction Team; operating in the western part of Afghanistan near the border of Iran. After 12 years of faithful and continuous military service to my country, I received an honorable discharge when my enlistment ended in July of 2013. In the fall of 2021, I received official notification from the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs and the Adjutant General of the Connecticut Military Department, that I had been selected to become one of the newest inductees into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame. An honor of a lifetime, and one that I am eternally humbled by.

Upon my return back home to North Canaan, I was eager to apply the knowledge and training that I had received from the United States Army to ensure the overall security and protection of others. Patriot Safety Group LLC was my first venture into the world of small business, as it was created to offer safety and security consultation to residents and business owners in the local tri state area. In the days that followed the tragic incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School I began reaching out to every Principal within the Region 1 School District. For the next 6 months, I spent hundreds of hours preparing a Physical Security Assessment for each individual school. Given the danger and sensitivity that was a result of that day I remained committed to the overall safety of every student and faculty member. I am honored to have served as a safety and security expert for the Region 1 School District, Region 7 School District, the New Milford Public School District, and the Marvelwood School. In 2019, realizing that there was an ever-present need to consult and educate both public and private organizations on the importance of operational readiness and emergency preparedness I transitioned my small business into a new venture called New England Quality Solutions LLC. The mission of New England Quality Solutions LLC is to create a partnership with clients that is deeply rooted in mutual respect and mutual trust, one that ensures every home and workplace is safe and secure, free from risks, hazards, and all unforeseen operational liabilities.

My first attempt at attaining a college degree began way back in 2003 when I returned home from military basic training. I enrolled at Northwestern Community College in Winsted, CT. I only attended two classes before I was urgently shipped off to Iraq. In the fall of 2004, I enrolled at Eastern Connecticut State University. I had a strong passion for the study of social interpretation and interactions, and criminal policy, so it was fitting that I aimed my major towards Sociology and Criminal Justice. In 2005, my college career was again put on hold. I was activated to respond with the United States Army to New Orleans, LA. with an urgent mission to secure the city from the rampant looting in days that followed the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. With my second and third overseas combat deployments coming in the next few years, the college process had been very slow but I was determined to graduate. In 2016 I finally received my associate degree in criminal justice from Northwestern Connecticut Community College. Fast forward to May of 2020, I crossed the virtual stage at the University of New Haven as the very first bachelor’s degree recipient in the combined majors of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Life had certainly come full circle. Without delay, due to my unwavering passion for continuing education, as of the spring of 2023 I've also received two master's degrees. My Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree was awarded from Sacred Heart University, and Master in Healthcare Administration (MHA) was awarded by the University of New Haven. I now counsel young adults, mothers and fathers, and veterans, on the struggles of achieving a college degree for those who may start later on in their life. That offering has truly become one of the most rewarding initiatives that I have taken on.

 

More recently, I had the immense honor and privilege of serving as State Representative of Connecticut’s 64th House District. As the youngest State Representative to ever serve this expansive geographic area I worked tirelessly for every man, woman, child, non-profit organization, and businesses large and small. During my time in office, I was one of only a handful of freshman Representatives chosen to serve on the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee, and the only freshman to chair a subcommittee within the broader Appropriations Committee. I also served on the Human Services Committee and the Public Safety Committee. I was a fighter, never giving up on my constituents and always being present. I am proud to have achieved a perfect voting attendance record in all of my legislative sessions. One of my greatest achievements was championing a bill that ensured all veterans receive proper mental health treatment and systematic care no matter what their discharge status may have been. This bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate and, after being signed by Gov. Malloy, Connecticut became the very first state in the nation to act on such a topic. These successful efforts were due to the unwavering partnership that I’ve established and cherished with the CT Department of Veterans Affairs, the VFW, the American Legion, AMVETS, the DAV, and the IAVA. I am also grateful to have been recognized as Legislator of the Year and a Legislative Champion by the Connecticut Farm Bureau in 2018, the Connecticut State Firefighters’ Association in 2017 and 2018, and the League of Conservation Voters in 2017. It was one of my life’s greatest honors to serve the over 25,000 people of the Northwest Corner of Connecticut.

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Fast forward to present day, my beautiful wife Meagan, and I, along with Sawyer, our golden retriever, and Frasier, our goldendoodle, enjoy our off time creating small hobbies on a rustic homestead located on Trescott Hill, in North Canaan. We are also counting down the literal days and hours until our first child blesses us with her presence. We are so thankful and grateful for the love and kindness that has been shown by all of you.

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Serving as First Selectman is a calling. Serving others is a commitment that can never be taken for granted, nor taken lightly. Some elected officials crave a fancy title or continuous self-recognition. To me, servant leadership has always been my guiding virtue. I believe, as chaotic and diverse as my life has been up until this point, it has provided me with the life experience, professional opportunities, and education that is necessary to lead North Canaan into its next chapter. Creating a local government that is accessible, accountable, equitable, and responsible; one that bridges divides, champions success, eliminates hardships, and invites continuous civil and cordial conversation, is priority number one.

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Formal Education and Training

 

Master of Public Administration and Emergency Management

Sacred Heart University 

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Master of Healthcare Administration

University of New Haven 

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Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

University of New Haven 

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Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

Northwestern Connecticut Community College

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National Incident Management System

Class 29, 100, 200, 200a, 300, 400, 700, 800

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Certified Emergency Medical Technician

 

Certified Firefighter, Fire Service Instructor, Fire Service Officer,

Hazardous Materials Technician, Incident Safety Officer 

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OSHA General Industry and Construction Standards Outreach Trainer

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National Traffic Incident Management Trainer

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U.S. Army Military Police Officer (Ret)