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John
Leary
Board of Finance
When we start out as newlyweds, settling into a community, full of the joy of hopes and dreams, we can only imagine what life has in store for us. It’s only at some point later on that you begin to look back and make a mature assessment of where your life is actually going.
Married in 1992, my wife, Karen, and I began our lives together in Southington, a town which now, as then, is steeped in the traditions of families of faith and values, doing their best to provide their children fine educational opportunities for their future. Still, our diverse community is a welcoming place for people in many of life’s stages and situations.
Certainly, for us, the decision to make Southington our home was right. It did not take us long to begin meeting new friends, through church and later as we began to raise our two children Lauren (13) and Matt (11). We became deeply committed to our church, our children’s schools, and sports activities. Meanwhile, I transitioned from working in my grandfather’s plumbing and heating business to a professional career of my own. As a mortgage underwriter, I worked to ensure that borrowers actually qualified for the loans they and their advisors were seeking. Later, as a financial analyst for a global manufacturing company, I analyzed its operating results and prepared budgets and forecasting models. Progressing to the role of Cost Accounting Manager, I upheld the standard for the accurate accounting for manufacturing and inventory for the US operations of a Fortune 1000 company. Currently, I am Director of Global Consolidations Accounting at Chemtura Corporation (Sales $3.5 Billion) in Middlebury, ensuring that accounting is performed in the most efficient and effective manner, internationally.
Looking back, I value the lessons I learned growing up as a Boy Scout in Waterbury: “leave it better than you found it,” “think first,” and “be prepared.” Today, as an Eagle Scout and Boy Scout Leader with 31 years of scouting experience I am continually teaching young scouts those same lessons and instilling within them our Duties to God, Country, Ourselves and Others.
Living in Southington, a great community which I am proud to call my home, I now see myself ready to serve our town. I am uniquely prepared to apply my business and life experience and skills to ensure that the finances of Southington are well-analyzed, safeguarded and developed in a “common sense” manner that will ensure Southington’s foundation is strengthened for the future. I commit to avoid the negative stereotypes of politics and work in a business-oriented, collaborative manner to leave Southington better than I found it.
Qualifications
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M.S. Professional Accounting – University of Hartford - 1991
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Executive Education – Columbia University - 2006
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BSA Troop 3 Waterbury -Eagle Scout – Assistant Scoutmaster
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Saint Dominic Church – Parishioner – Finance Committee member
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Southington West Baseball - Volunteer