Joshua Steele Kelly
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Résumé

Govt/Nonprofit Resume PDF  |  Theatre Resume PDF
Headshots/Gallery  |  Reel  |  Professional Artifacts
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Education & Certifications

Master of Public Administration (May 2019)    
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269    GPA: 3.82
Graduate Assistant, Department of Public Policy
Public Administration Honors Society - Pi Alpha Alpha (2019)

Grad Certificate in Public Financial Management (May 2019)
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269

Bachelor of Music (Incomplete, 2013 - 2015)
Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 14850 | Whalen School of Music
Instructor: Dr. David Parks, Tenor

​Majors: Vocal Performance & Music Education
Picture
Voice: F#2 - Bb4 | Height: 6’2” | Eyes: Hazel | Hair: Brown
Bachelor of Arts (May 2017)
Wheaton College, Norton, MA 02766
    Cum Laude
Major:
Political Science    Minors: Sociology & Public Policy
Political Science Honors Society - Pi Sigma Alpha (2016)
Certified Municipal Official (February 2019)
CT Conference of Municipalities, New Haven, CT 06510

Vocal Instruction (2011 - 2013)
Waterford, CT 06385

Instructor: Professor Lynne Floyd, Mitchell College

Government & Nonprofit Experience Highlights

Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer ~ TVCCA    (October 2023 – Present)
  • Works daily to develop and implement policies, vision, and long-term goals that further TVCCA’s mission to abolish poverty in southeastern Connecticut, including the implementation of the strategic plan and community action plan.
  • Generally responsible for personnel management, with a total ~400 employees agency-wide, working with program directors and the Chief Human Resources Officer to hire, negotiate with, and discipline employees as applicable.
  • Develops and compiles annual budget of ~$40 million and capital improvement plan for Board review and adoption.
  • Coordinates interdepartmental projects, oversees legal affairs, and responds to public and media requests for information.
  • Collaborates with other governmental and nonprofit agencies to further the agency mission and expand programs.
  • Advocates to legislative bodies and private firms for funding to support anti-poverty programs provided by TVCCA.
  • Represents TVCCA in presentations made to the state legislature and in other official capacities.
  • Works with the Board of Trustees to pursue system and policy improvements within the agency, which has included a review of current hybrid work policies and a review of facility operations.
Town of Winchester | City of Winsted, CT
Town Manager & Chief Executive Officer ~ Town of Winchester/City of Winsted, CT    (April 2021 – Oct 2023)
  • Served as the Town’s Chief Executive Officer as defined by the Town Charter and Connecticut General Statutes.
  • Worked daily, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, to develop and implement policies, vision, and long-term goals.
  • Responsible for personnel management (~100 employees), including hiring, contract negotiations, and discipline.
  • Developed and compiled annual budget of ~$36 million and capital improvement plan for Board review and adoption.
  • Coordinated interdepartmental projects, oversaw legal affairs, and responded to all requests for information.
  • Created and executed a plan to spend $3.1 million of American Rescue Plan money received by the Town.
  • Wrote and won over $9.8 million in grants, including a $1.8 million CT Communities Challenge Grant to revitalize Main Street, $3.38 million from Congress for a Public Works facility replacement and new 800-band radios, and more.
  • Designed and oversaw approval of a $24.7 million infrastructure investment plan focused on roads, sidewalks, and more.
  • Helped Town achieve a double bond rating upgrade from A1/A+ to AA; oversaw bond sale of $11.5 million.
  • Created ground-breaking facade improvement and business start-up programs to encourage economic growth in Winsted.
  • Successfully coordinated rescue and care of animals in largest animal hoarding case in Connecticut’s history, to date.
  • Created and wrote the Town’s first print newsletter, mailed to all residents seasonally; oversees all Town communications.
  • Achieved Bronze Certification for the town through the statewide Sustainable CT program.
  • Conceptualized and created the Town’s Resident Assistance Fund to serve residents most vulnerable to poverty.
  • Represented Winchester on the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) and in other official capacities.
Town of Bolton, CT
Town Administrator & Sewer Administrator ~ Town of Bolton, CT    (August 2019 - April 2021)
  • Worked daily, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, to develop and implement their policies, vision, and long-term goals.
  • Responsible for all Town personnel management (~45 FTEs), including hiring, collective bargaining negotiations, and discipline; rewrote and expanded Town’s Personnel Policy Manual in 2020 after 27 years without updates or additions.
  • Developed and compiled annual budget of ~$22.9 million and capital improvement plan for Board review; responsible for general financial oversight; co-authored Town’s first ever Financial Policy Manual; served as acting Town Treasurer.
  • Served as the Town’s Purchasing Agent, oversaw insurance policies, and prepared grant applications.
  • Expanded the Town’s shared Building Official & Fire Marshal services into two new towns successfully.
  • Served as the Chair of the Town’s Unified Command team during the pandemic and other states of emergency.
  • Represented Bolton on the Eastern Highlands Health District Board, various CRCOG committees, and in other manners.
  • Served as the Bolton Lakes Regional (BLRWPCA) Sewer Administrator, managing day-to-day sewer operations.
  • Appointed as the Town’s Municipal Water Coordinator, Local Traffic Authority, and Open Burning Official.
Town of Windsor, CT
Graduate Assistant & Management Analyst ~ Town of Windsor, CT    (May 2018 – August 2019)
  • Advised the Town Manager and Town Council by studying and reporting out on town-collected data.
  • Prepared draft directives, policies, press releases, resolutions, and ordinances on behalf of the Town Manager.
  • Served as the town’s communication liaison to the public following the Bradley International Airport PFAS leak.
  • Assisted Economic Development Director with redevelopment projects at the Wolcott School and Millbrook sites.
  • Assisted Finance Department in budget creation, policy review, and preparing materials for bond issuances.
  • Helped develop and author the annual budget of ~$113 million and the Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2020.
Town of Waterford, CT
Board of Finance of Waterford, CT ~ Board Member  (August 2024 - Present) 
  • Nominated and accepted to fill a mid-term vacancy on the Waterford Board of Finance.
  • Reviews budget transfer and appropriation requests from department directors and the First Selectman.
  • Provides fiscal oversight for the town, provides feedback and input on Town financial policies, and votes on Town budget.

Inland Wetland & Conservation Commission of Waterford, CT ~ Commissioner  (Jan 2016 - Jan 2020) 
  • Joined commission as an Alternate at the request of the town’s First Selectman in 2016, appointed Commissioner in 2018.
  • Championed initiative to create an open space acquisition program; helped review and issue wetland permit applications.
  • Assisted in development of Stenger Farm gardens; continued promotion of Mountain Laurel Trails development.

Waterford, CT Representative Town Meeting ~ Minority Leader & Representative  (Nov 2017 – Nov 2019)
  • Top vote-getter of RTM candidates in 2017; introduced environmentally-focused legislation, town charter revision proposals, proposals to bolster town capacity for economic development, & other cost-saving initiatives.
  • Chair of the Town’s Legislation & Administration Committee, responsible for comprehensive policy and bylaw review.
  • Member of the Long Range Fiscal Planning Committee, focused most notably on the possible loss of local power plant.
  • Reviewed and approved Town’s annual operating budget of ~$97 million for FY 2019 and FY 2020.

Zoning Board of Appeals of Waterford, CT ~ Alternate Member  (November 2015 – November 2017)
  • Won town-wide election in 2015; helped to address applications for zoning variances over the course of two years.

Volunteer & Civic Activity Highlights

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut ~ Board of Directors    (2025 - Present) 
  • Accepted a one-year term to represent TVCCA on the local United Way Board of Directors.​
Sustainable CT ~ Board of Directors & Treasurer    (2024 - Present) 
  • Oversees agency finances; provides Board oversight on actions taken by the Executive Director; promotes the program.
Connecticut Town & City Managers Association ~ Board of Directors & Secretary    (2021 - 2023) 
  • Worked to expand the Association, connected with students looking to go into town management, and planned events.
Connecticut Council of Small Towns ~ Board of Directors    (2021 - 2023) 
  • Selected to serve two-year term; helped promote a pro-small town agenda to state legislators and other interest groups.
Wheaton College (MA) Model United Nations Alumni Association ~ Founder & Board Chair    (2020 - Present) 
  • Filed and maintains tax-exempt and nonprofit statuses for the Association; raises funds for scholarships and activities.
Project Bright ~ Executive Producer, Webmaster, & Performer (2015 - Present)
  • Founder of the East Lyme Theatre Festival, which raises money for local charitable efforts.
Wheaton College (MA) Alumni Association ~ Board of Directors    (2020 - 2023) 
  • Selected to serve a 3-year term; served on the Nominating Committee and Engagement & Philanthropy Committee.

Honors, Awards, Micro-Certifications, & Professional Memberships

Micro-Certification in Shaping Organizational Culture ~ ICMA (2022)
International & Connecticut City Management Associations (ICMA & CTCMA) ~ Full Member (2019 - Present)
Albert G. Ilg Fellowship in Local Government Award ~ Dept. Public Policy, University of Connecticut (2019)
Who’s Who Among American College & Universities Winner ~ Who’s Who  (2015)
Peggy R. Williams Award for Academic and Community Leadership ~ Ithaca College  (2015)
Eagle Scout Award ~ Waterford Troop 29  (August 2013)

Theatre Performance History

Professor Bhaer,  Little Women: The Musical*, Niantic Bay Playhouse, 2025
Motel, Fiddler on the Roof*, East Lyme Regional Theater 2017
Soloist, Ithaca College Light Opera*,  Ithaca College, 2013
Nicely Nicely Johnson, Guys & Dolls*, WATERFORDrama, 2013
Various Roles, The Laramie Project,  Mitchell College, 2013
Various Roles, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later,  WATERFORDrama, 2013
Various Roles,  The Laramie Project, WATERFORDrama, 2013
Uncle Henry/Crow, The Wiz*, East Lyme Regional Theater, 2012
Javert, Les Misérables*, WATERFORDrama, 2012
Therapist, Fear of Spheres, Showcase IV, WATERFORDrama,  2012
Soloist, Spotlight Cabaret II*,  WATERFORDrama, 2011
Matt, The Marriage of Bette & Boo,  WATERFORDrama, 2011
Ham/Chorus, Children of Eden*, East Lyme Regional Theater, 2011
Max/Worker,  The Pajama Game*,  WATERFORDrama, 2011
Stanley, A Backwards Fairytale, Showcase III, WATERFORDrama, 2011
Choir/Farmer McCarthy,  Our Town*,  WATERFORDrama, 2011
Soloist,  Spotlight Cabaret*, WATERFORDrama, 2010
Various Male Characters, A Piece of My Heart, WATERFORDrama, 2010
Soloist,  This Memory of Mine*,  East Lyme Regional Theater, 2010
Mendel, Fiddler on the Roof*, WATERFORDrama, 2010
Dan Lanzetta,  Scuba Lessons, Showcase II, WATERFORDrama, 2010
Lloyd Dallas,  Noises Off, WATERFORDrama, 2010


*Musical performances denoted with an asterisk.
Interested in having Josh join a performance or production you're putting together? Please reach out today!

Theatre-Related Highlights

​Warner Theater ~ Board of Directors (2021 - 2023) 
  • Helped oversee inner workings and finances of the Warner Theater in Torrington, CT.​
Bright & East Lyme Theatre Festivals ~ Founder, Producer, Director, Writer, and Actor (2018 - Present)
  • Created and oversaw the implementation of one-day play festival in East Lyme, bringing together writers, directors, and actors from across the northeast.
Gentlemen Callers ~ Member & Pitch (2015 - 2016)
  • Served in the only all-male a cappella group at Wheaton College, MA - served as the group’s co-pitch for a semester.
Greens Theatre Project ~ Founder, Producer, Director, and Actor (January 2014 - May 2015)
  • Created Ithaca College’s first and only theatre for social change group, directed The Laramie Project, Producer for Rent.
National Theatre of the Deaf ~ Intern ~ New London, CT      (May 2014 - August 2014)
  • Assisted the Director with publications, communications, community outreach, data collection, and grant writing.
 Lancer Theatre Productions ~ Founder & Director      (2012)
  •  In the WATERFORDrama director’s absence, I founded a student-led theatre group and organized a series of student-written shows to be performed.

Special Skills

​Valid CT Drivers License | English, German, Scottish, and Yiddish Accents | Trombone Proficiency | Basic Guitar & Piano | Spanish, German, French, & Italian Diction | Basic Spanish Communication | A Cappella & Choir Singing | Grant Writing |Public Speaking | Shape-Note Singing | Basic Stage Combat | Bull-Whip Cracking

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