ABOUT JOSH

I’m Josh, a politician and performer based in southeastern Connecticut.
Joshua Steele Kelly (Josh) grew up in Waterford, CT, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wheaton College (MA) and his Master of Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Public Financial Management by the University of Connecticut. Professionally, he is currently the CEO of the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA), and he previously served as Town Manager & CEO of the Town of Winchester, CT, and before that he served as Town Administrator of the Town of Bolton, CT. He is a Certified Community Action Professional and has been a Certified Connecticut Municipal Official. He also performs regionally on stage whenever possible.

Passion for Service

TVCCA Leadership
Josh has served as the CEO of the Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA), a federally-designated community action agency charged with abolishing poverty in southeastern CT, since October 2023. TVCCA administers 30+ different anti-poverty programs across 55 towns in eastern Connecticut with the help of approximately 400 employees and numerous subcontractors.
Volunteerism
Outside of his employment, Josh recently served on the Waterford Board of Finance and before that served as both the Minority Leader on Waterford's Representative Town Meeting and as a member of the Waterford Inland Wetland & Conservation Commission. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and as the Treasurer for Sustainable CT, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to assisting municipal governments with improving their community’s sustainability in a multifaceted manner; he is the founder and Past President of the Wheaton College Model United Nations Alumni Association; and he is a founder and executive producer of the annual East Lyme Theatre Festival. In his spare time, you can find Josh performing on stage, reading, and hiking. You can learn more about his performance history here.​

Current & Upcoming Events

A Few Good Men - Sam
Chestnut Street Playhouse
March 5 - 15, 2026
Show Times Vary
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - Mitch Mahoney
Chestnut Street Playhouse
April 30 - May 17, 2026
Show Times Vary
1776 - Roger Sherman, John Hancock u/s
Ivoryton Playhouse
June 26 - July 26, 2026
Show Times Vary

In Action

Contact Josh

Josh is an active part of the community in a multitude of ways, and he is also always looking for more ways to get involved and to give back. If you are interested in discussing Josh's work with him or requesting his services as a performer, campaign strategist, speaker, or Justice of the Peace, please click here to reach out to him.