>> BPW: Chris Brown

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Professional Career:

17 Years of software sales experience
Currently a Strategic Client Executive with Novell

Educational Background:

Middlebury College (B.A. 1993)

Candidate Statement:

My name is Chris Brown and I’d like to ask for your vote for Board of Public Works on May 11th. Although my name might sound familiar, let me assure you that I am not the notorious singer, nor am I related to our new Senator. In fact, given that this is my first foray into town government, you might not know me at all. Let me introduce myself:

I am a sales account executive for a Waltham-based software company, where I have worked for ten years. My wife Jeannie and I have been married for 14 years and have two children: CJ, a second-grader at Happy Hollow, and Lindsey, a kindergartener at Loker. We have lived in Wayland for nearly eight years and on any given Saturday you’ll likely find me at a soccer field, a basketball gym, or a football practice, depending on the season.

I decided to run for the Board of Public Works (BoPW) after participating in Town Meeting last fall, where I saw that merely voting isn’t enough; it is time to get involved.

BoPW is an important board. Of all the elected roles, (BoPW) makes decisions that most impact our day-to-day lives. With highway, parks, water and landfill, it oversees the infrastructure of our town. We need to make sure we have good oversight.

And I’m sure we will. In truth, all of the nominees are strong candidates, and I applaud anyone who is willing to give up their personal time to serve the town.

What I would bring to the board is a strong work ethic, a sense of fair play, and a keen understanding of the art of negotiation. Having been in sales for my entire career, I have learned that to “close the deal” you need to listen more than you talk. In my professional and my personal life, I take the approach of listening, analyzing, not jumping to conclusions, and always trying to come up with an outcome that benefits the greatest good for the greatest numbers. With negotiations, nobody should walk away feeling like they “lost.” I have been characterized as a good listener who is fair, thoughtful, analytical, and methodical.

As to the future of our town, I firmly believe in progress. But, as a history buff, I realize that we cannot chase progress at all costs. We need to learn from the past, and move forward carefully, letting knowledge and experience be our guide. I also believe that once we make a decision, we need to commit to it and come together as a community.

Because that’s what we are. We need to work with—and not against—each other. We are all neighbors and we need to pull together as our town grows and changes. We should all have Wayland running through our veins as I see in my children.
And that’s the reason we chose Wayland. I grew up in a small town in central Maine, the son of teachers. When Jeannie and I were looking at a place to raise a family, Wayland came to the top of the list. Sure the great schools were a primary factor, but it was also the small, neighborly feel of it. The beauty of our open space and recreation areas. The people. Wayland is more than a town; it is a community. People say “I’m from Wayland” with pride.

On May 11th, I hope I can count on your vote. I would be proud to serve on the Wayland BoPW.