JSK Resume

Joshua Steele Kelly, MPA, CCAP

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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

Vocal Instruction (2011 - 2013)
Waterford, CT 06385
Instructor: Professor Lynne Floyd, Mitchell College

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 PolicyPolitical Science Honors Society - Pi Sigma Alpha (2016)

Certified Municipal Official (February 2019)
CT Conference of Municipalities, New Haven, CT 06510

Certified Community Action Professional (June 2025)
National Community Action Partnership, Washington, DC 20036

Micro-Certification in Shaping Organizational Culture (2022)
International City/County Managers' Association, Washington, DC 20002

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 - December 2025)

Nominated and accepted to fill a mid-term vacancy on the Waterford Board of Finance.
Reviewed budget transfer and appropriation requests from department directors and the First Selectman.
Provided 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.

Town of Lisbon, CT
Emergency Fuel Coordinator ~ Appointed Official (December 2025 - Present)

Appointed to fill the role of the Town of Lisbon's Emergency Fuel Coordinator by unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen.

Volunteer & Civic Activity Highlights

Wheaton College (MA) Model United Nations Alumni Association ~ Founder & Past President (2020 - Present)

Filed and maintains tax-exempt and nonprofit statuses for the Association; raises funds for scholarships and activities.
President of the organization from 2020 - 2025.

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut ~ Board of Directors (2025 - Present)

Accepted a 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.

Project Bright ~ Executive Producer, Webmaster, & Performer (2015 - 2023)

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.

Other Political & Party Experience Highlights

Connecticut Yankee National Party (CT YNP) ~ Founder & Treasurer (March 2025 - Present)

Founded Connecticut's Chapter of the Yankee National Party, a regional political party focused on the four core values of Independence, Democracy, Empathy, and Sustainability.

Yankee National Party (YNP) ~ Founder & National Committee Chair (November 2024 - Present)

Founded the northeast's first and only regional political party, focused on the four core values of Independence, Democracy, Empathy, and Sustainability.

Waterford, CT Democratic Town Committee ~ Vice Chair (March 2024 - 2025)

Worked alongside other DTC members to further Democratic candidates and efforts.
Resigned following the Party's unwillingness to endorse me as someone affiliated with the YNP and its democratic socialist tendencies.

Mirna Martinez for District 39 ~ Campaign Manager (January 2019 - February 2019)

Worked to get Mirna Martinez (G) elected to the 39th State House district in Connecticut in a special election.
Successfully qualified Mirna as the first Green Party member to receive Citizens Election Program money in Connecticut.

Baird for 38 ~ Campaign Manager & Treasurer (January 2018 - January 2019)

Worked to get Baird Welch-Collins (D) elected to the 38th State House district in Connecticut. Qualified Baird for CEP and successfully completed an audit of all campaign finances.

Ithaca College Greens/Ithaca College Progressives ~ Founder & Chair (2013 - 2015)

Founded a Green Party chapter at Ithaca College, which later evolved to be more inclusive, called "IC Progressives."
Founded a related theatre-for-social-change group called the Greens Theatre Project.

Green Party of Connecticut ~ Co-Chair (2016 - 2018)

Served as Co-Chair of the Connecticut state subdivision of the Green Party of the United States.

Green Party of the United States ~ National Committee Delegate (2015 - 2018)

Served as a delegate from Connecticut to the National Committee of the Green Party of the United States.

Waterford, CT Green Party & Town Committee ~ Founder & Co-Chair (2013 - 2019)

Founded the Green Party Chapter in Waterford, CT; ran over a dozen candidates on that line and saw seven of them elected to municipal office.

Honors, Awards, & Professional Memberships

Nonprofit of the Year (TVCCA) ~Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce (2026)
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

Click here to see list of upcoming performances.
Roger Sherman/John Hancock u/s, 1776*, Ivoryton Playhouse, 2026
Solo Performer, Off Book Off Brand*, Madison Arts Barn, 2026
Mitch Mahoney, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee*, Chestnut Street Playhouse, 2026
Sam, A Few Good Men, Chestnut Street Playhouse, 2026
Paul, Company*, Chestnut Street Playhouse, 2025
Cornelius Hackl, Hello, Dolly!*, Niantic Bay Playhouse, 2025
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!

Other Theatre & Performance-Related Highlights

Warner Theater ~ Board of Directors (2021 - 2023)

Helped oversee inner workings and finances of the Warner Theater in Torrington, CT.

Southeastern CT One Day Play Festivals ~ Founder, Producer, Director, Writer, and Actor (2015 - Present)

Created and oversaw the implementation of one-day play festivals, 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

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