This week The Wake Forest Gazette will introduce the eight candidates for three seats on the Wake Forest Town Board. Each will tell you about themselves in their own words.
            In future weeks we will talk about their agendas, issues facing the town and possible town projects. Please send any questions you have to cwpelosi@aol.com and we will pose them to the candidates.
            The nonpartisan election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8. Are you registered to vote? There is still time.
            The only announced public forum is the one sponsored by the Government Affairs Committee of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Wake Forest Town Hall and televised live on Channel 10.
            Here are the candidates in their own words without editing. They are listed in no particular order.
            Matthew S. Reck, 708 Ledgerock Road (Deacons Ridge).
            My family and I have lived in our home here since 2006. I was born and raised in Old Bridge, N.J., and have lived there until moving to Wake Forest. I attended High Point University in High Point, N.C., and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science back in 1993.
            My wife Maria (Mary Jo) are the parents of two daughters’ Rebecca age 10 and Emily age 9 are in the 5th. and 4th. Grade at Wake Forest Elementary. Our 13 year old cat Mimi and 4 month old puppy Jesse round out the family.
            I have served on the Deacons Ridge HOA Board of Directors for 4 years. I was involved with the Wake Forest First Light Committee in 2008 and 2009. We are also active members of St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church. I am currently going through the process of converting to Catholicism.
            I have spent over 15 years in the insurance industry in a variety of positions, including Fraud Investigation, Policy Service, Credentialing, Sales and administration.
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            Ben C. Clapsaddle, 2833 Penfold Lane, Wake Forest, NC 27587
I was raised in North Carolina, and graduated from Pine Forest HS in Fayetteville. I continued my education at The Citadel earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and was commissioned an Army Second Lieutenant in 1981. As a cavalry officer during the height of the Cold War, I served in West Germany, South Korea, Iraq (Desert Storm), and Afghanistan. I am a qualified Army Parachutist, and among my awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star in recognition of my service. My family and I returned to North Carolina in 2005, when I was assigned as the State’s Senior Army Advisor. Nancy, the kids, and I knew Wake Forest was our home as soon as we arrived in town.
During my Army career, I earned master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the U.S. Army War College. I retired from the Army in 2008 as a Colonel with over 27 years of service to our Nation. I started my next career by earning my Project Management Professional certification and now work as a Consultant to the U.S. Army.
In 1982, I was fortunate to marry a native North Carolinian, the former Nancy E. Sledge. We have been married for over 29 years, and have two children; Nathan and Ranie. Nancy grew up in Oak City, NC and is a graduate of East Carolina University. Nathan is a 2010 graduate of Wake Forest-Rolesville (WFR) High School and a sophomore at UNC-G; and Ranie is a sophomore at WFR High School and a member of the WFR Marching Band.
We believe in giving back and supporting our community, our State and our Nation. We are involved in and work with the Boy Scouts, Parents Teachers Students Associations, the Wake Forest Dream League, Stop Hunger Now, Wounded Warrior Program, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
            Based on my life's experiences, professional expertise, leadership skills, values, and strong support and belief in our families, I feel I am uniquely qualified to represent all of the People of Wake Forest. It is important to me that every voice is heard and I will represent them all.
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            Greg Harrington, 632 Guinness Place, Wake Forest
My name is Greg Harrington. I was born and raised in Elizabeth City, NC. I have been married to my wife, Diane, for 37 years. We have two daughters, Lori (married to Paul Eitel) of Wake Forest, and Stacey (married to Shannon Harris), of Roanoke, VA. We have six grandchildren between the ages of eight and two.
After serving four years in the Air Force, including one year in DaNang, Vietnam, I graduated with Honors from Beaufort County Technical Institute with an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. I then graduated cum laude from Elizabeth City State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. I served as a police officer in four departments prior to being hired as Police Chief of Wake Forest in October 1993, and served in that capacity until my retirement in December 2009.
In my eighteen years in Wake Forest, I have been privileged to serve our community through many organizations, including the Wake Forest Boys and Girls Club, the NC Special Olympics, the NC D.A.R.E. Foundation, Wake Forest VFW Post 8644, the Wake Forest Fourth of July Committee, Hoops for Wake Forest, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, the NC Chapter of FBI National Academy Associates, and the NC Association of Chiefs of Police. I am currently a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, and am honored to have served this and previous church families in the capacities of Deacon, Sunday School Director, and Trustee.
You can see a more complete list of my service record on my Facebook page. Thank you for considering me for the position of Town Commissioner.
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            Peter Thibodeau, 1337 Heritage Club Avenue, Wake Forest
            My name is Peter Thibodeau and I live at 1337 Heritage Club Avenue. I have been a resident of Wake Forest since 2005. I am a geologist who focuses on water resources work, and I have a PhD in geology from the University of South Carolina. I am married to Monique, who is a special education teacher, and we have two wonderful daughters.
I currently serve as a Town Commissioner, where I have been a proven leader and consensus builder, making sure that we all work together in a cooperative manner to make the best decisions for the future of Wake Forest. I am finishing my first term since being elected in 2007. Throughout this time, I have supported downtown revitalization, brick-and-mortar businesses, and responsible growth in Wake Forest. We have accomplished many of the Town’s goals during this period and Wake Forest has weathered the tough economic times better than most if not all surrounding communities. We continue to attract new businesses and residential development without raising taxes or sacrificing our vision for the future of Wake Forest. Prior to my election as Town Commissioner, I served for nearly 2 years on the Wake Forest Planning Advisory Board. As a Town Commissioner, I am also an ex officio member of the Greenways Advisory Board and the Urban Forestry Board.
            I work for Cardno ENTRIX as a senior water resources management practitioner. My primary responsibilities include overseeing large projects and programs that focus on watershed evaluation projects, water resources development and management, and responsible development for both small- and large-scale projects across the Southeastern U.S. My professional experience in permitting and analysis has been of great value to me in helping make informed decisions for our Town.
            I would like to ask the voters to consider me as their candidate for Town Commissioner and allow me to continue in my leadership role, ensuring that Wake Forest stays a dynamic and inviting place to live and grow.
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            Zachary Thomas Donahue, 504 Wheddon Cross Way, Wake Forest.
            My name is Zachary Thomas Donahue, and I live at 504 Wheddon Cross Way in Wake Forest, where I have lived for nearly 8 years. I was born and raised near Indianapolis, Indiana, where I lived until moving to Wake Forest to open the Raleigh office of an accounting firm for which I worked. I have a B.S. in Accounting from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, which was ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the # 7 accounting program in the United States.
            My wife of nearly 14 years, Andrea Donahue, and I were high school sweethearts and have two children: Sean, 12, who attends Heritage Middle School; and Lauren, 9, who attends Jones Dairy Elementary School.
            I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and run the local office of a national accounting firm. I am a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of CPAs (NCACPA) . I am currently in my fourth term on the NCACPA Health Care Committee.
            I have served the Town of Wake Forest for several years in a variety of ways. The Board of Commissioners appointed me to the Wake Forest Planning Board in January 2008, and I was reappointed to the Planning Board to serve another term in January 2010. During my tenure on the Planning Board, I have worked side by side with the Board of Commissioners, making difficult decisions on numerous issues that have helped shape the Town of Wake Forest.
            I serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Casa Esperanza, a dual-language Montessori charter school in Raleigh. I also serve as the Chair of the Executive Committee and the Human Resources Committee, as well as being a member of the Finance Committee and the Board Affairs Committee for the school. I have also participated as a parent and coach for a variety of Wake Forest Parks and Recreation athletic leagues.
            I have also had the opportunity to serve on various Town committees and groups, including the Transportation Plan Citizen Advisory Group, the Community Plan Steering Committee, and the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Advisory Committee. My participation in these various groups has provided me valuable background and insight as to the history of Wake Forest, its current state, and the vision for where it is headed. I am uniquely qualified to provide significant contributions to the Board of Commissioners through my professional background as a CPA, my leadership as Board Chair for a local charter school, and my first-hand experience dealing with a variety of critical issues facing the Town.
            Citizens can learn more about me from my website at www.facebook.com/VoteDonahue. Thank you.
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            Sherry Davis Ward, 8816 Cochran Court, Wake Forest.
            I have been a resident for five years. My hometown is Tallahassee, Florida. I earned a B.A. from Hampton University, M.S. Ed. and P.D. degrees from Mercy College. In addition, I am a NC Education Policies (EPFP) Fellow, Institute of Political Leadership (IOPL) Fellow, E.A. Morris Emerging Leaders Fellow and Global Education Policy Senior Fellow with international studies in China.
            I have one child, Sterling.
            I am employed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as an Education Consultant. In addition to work at the state level, I have worked in many capacities within the field of education including classroom teacher, school administrator, district level grants manager and federal peer reviewer for the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
            I attend Body of Christ Church in Raleigh. Since living in Wake Forest, I have briefly served as chair of the Caddell Woods Subdivision Homeowners Association, hosted several public information sessions, lunch and learns and forums for Wake Forest citizens, have served as a Wake Forest Democratic Party precinct chair for 4 years and on the Democratic Party State Executive Committee for the past 3 years.
            My experiences and expertise are broad in scope. I have a true demonstrated passion for community service and I hope that Wake Forest voters will support me in serving them on the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners.
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            Anne M. Hines, 830 Lochmaben Street, Wake Forest.
            I grew up in Greenville, SC and attended Furman University. A summer job working in advertising changed my direction. I had the opportunity to do graphics and write copy for the local newspaper. I married Bill Hines in 1994 and we moved to Charleston, SC. While there I attend the College of Charleston, taking accounting courses. From Charleston our moves took us to Wilmington, Washington and to Raleigh in 1979. In 1987, Bill and I, along with four other families moved to the Staffordshire subdivision in Wake Forest. Bill passed away in 1989. In 1996, I married Mike Reeve (USArmy Ret) and we continued to make Wake Forest our home. Mike also recently retired from Home Depot.
            For most of my work career I was involved in non-profit association management. I served as executive director of several state, regional and national trade and professional organizations. My early advertising experience gave me the skills I needed to produce newsletters, brochures, programs, magazines, trade shows and many other promotional pieces for these groups.
            My involvement in the Wake Forest community began in the early 1990s by attending the planning board and town board meetings because of an issue that involved my neighborhood. Attending these meetings became a habit. But it taught me the workings of Town government. I am in my first term as a Wake Forest Town Commissioner. It has been a very rewarding experience. In this tough economy, Wake Forest has been able to stay in a positive financial status, with an AAA rating. We have not had to lay off any employees and continue to give merit raises. I have learned a lot and know I have made a difference as Commissioner. My other involvements: I serve as secretary for the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation Board of Directors. The annual Purple Heart dinner has grown in three years to be a premier event for the recipients. I am a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Chamber of Commerce, and ARTS. I’m an ex-officio for the Cemetery Advisory Board and the Human Relations Council. I have served two times on the Transportation Committee. I am a past member of Civitans (Wake Forest charter member and North Raleigh).
            It would be my great honor to continue to serve Wake Forest as Town Commissioner and support the continued success of our town.
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            Jim Thompson, 9713 Precious Stone Drive, Wake Forest
            I have been a resident of Wake Forest since 2006 and reside in the Shearon Farms neighborhood, 9713 Precious Stone Drive. I grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Millbrook High School, attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and graduated in 1994 with degrees in English and Political Science.
            After graduating, I began working with the Greensboro News & Record, where I worked for 6 years. In 2000, I left journalism in search of a new challenge, which I found in the association profession with the NC Association of REALTORS®. I spent 6 years with NCAR, five years were as the Director of Business Development, a position I created. In 2005, I earned the coveted CAE (Certified Association Executive) and also graduated from the US Chamber’s Institute program. In September of that same year, I was named the Executive Director of AENC (Association Executives of North Carolina).
            Since moving to Wake Forest with my wife, Hollyn, and our two children, Nelson and Lily, I immediately got involved in the town through service on the Wake Forest Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. I also play in the worship band at Wakefield United Methodist Church and serve on the church’s advisory board.