Table of Contents
— How many years have you lived in Winchester?
My wife and I moved to Winchester in February 2020 after living in New York City for 10 years. Shortly thereafter, we were blessed with the birth of our son in March 2020 and our daughter in December 2021!
— Please describe your professional background and education.
I am an experienced program manager and transformation leader, currently serving as a leader within Deloitte’s Client Account Management organization. In this capacity, I oversee the standards and operational consistency of our account managers, who are responsible for providing comprehensive account operational support and managing client relationships to ensure the delivery of high-quality services for our largest clients across our $35 billion (US) organization.
With more than 15 years of experience, I have successfully managed complex projects and transformational programs across multiple industries. Prior to my current role, I served as a Financial Controller within Deloitte, overseeing accounting operations for financial and energy clients, producing financial reports, and implementing comprehensive controls and budgets to mitigate risk and ensure accuracy in financial data. Additionally, I have served on the board of directors for The New Africa Foundation (previously Seeds of Africa 501c3), where I provided strategic guidance to empower Africans through education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. I hold a bachelor’s degree from American University with a double specialization in both finance and real estate.
— What Winchester town positions (appointed or elected) have you held, and for how long? What volunteer roles have you done that made a difference in Winchester?
Although I have not previously had the honor of being appointed or elected to a town position, I am eager to begin my career in town government by being elected to represent Precinct 1 for Town Meeting. I have had the privilege of assisting my wife, Emily Chappell, who is a member of EnKa, with various activities such as delivering Thanksgiving meals, supporting their food bank, and volunteering at the EnKa Fair.
— Why should I vote for you?
I am deeply committed to the true essence of being a representative. This means prioritizing the beliefs and desires of my constituents above all else. Even when my personal opinions differ, I pledge to set them aside and act in accordance with the wishes of the people I represent.
I chose to move to Winchester for three fundamental reasons: the quality of education for my children, the exceptional services and resources the town of Winchester provides, and the sense of community that feels more like an extended family than a group of strangers.
I am dedicated to tirelessly advocating for legislation that upholds the core reasons I cherish Winchester. My goal is to ensure that everyone in our community, especially those in my Precinct, feel that their voice can be heard in making decisions at the town level.
My dedication to understanding and listening to my constituents will always guide my actions as your representative.
Town Meeting candidate-specific questions
— What specific methods will you use to gather and represent your constituents' perspectives on issues that come before Town Meeting?
With a track record of identifying and implementing the most impactful best practices of account management, I believe the key to success is simple: listen more and speak less. To facilitate direct communication, I have established a website where my constituents can contact me. This platform allows for direct conversations about issues that matter to them.
Additionally, I would like to promote open debate through this forum and share collective commentary on topics to be voted on during Town Meeting. Through this forum, I aim to ensure that everyone's voice is heard and debated.
This website is available now, ahead of the election, and can be accessed at joshehrke.com.
— Transparency and communication are vital in representative government. What steps will you take to keep your constituents informed about Town Meeting decisions and to explain your voting rationale?
Through the previously mentioned website and forum, all topics to be discussed or voted on during Town Meeting will be accessible to everyone. Additionally, the final decisions and votes will be shared. In the interest of full transparency, I will also share my personal thoughts on decisions made by all Town Meeting Precinct representatives.
— Town Meeting decides three major things: It sets the salaries for the elected officials, votes to appropriate money to run the town, and votes on the town's local statutes, which are called by-laws. How do you plan to evaluate and make decisions on budgetary allocations to ensure fiscal responsibility while meeting the town's needs?
With nearly two decades of experience in making budgetary decisions, I have learned that every decision carries both a cost and a dividend. It is crucial to consider how individuals will be financially impacted and what positive outcomes they receive through an investment. It is my experience and belief that progress more often requires investment, so the decision is not if we should invest in Winchester, but how we can best allocate our resources to benefit the greatest number of people. With this in mind, all decisions are made with careful consideration, taking into account the impact on every single resident.
