Brookfield Candidate Profile: Alan Walp For Board of Finance

BROOKFIELD, CT — The 2019 municipal election is heating up in Brookfield and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Brookfield Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Alan Walp, 62, is running for a seat on the Board of Finance as a Democrat. He is currently serving as an appointed member of the Economic Development Commission and for 2 years as an alternate member of the Planning Commission. Walp also served in the United States Navy in Advanced Electronics Program, Radar and Missile Systems, and works as a supply-chain manager for Cartus in Danbury.

The single most pressing issue facing our town/district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The reasons my family came to Brookfield, besides my Mother-in-Law being here, were its strong school system, affordability, and generally rural character. In order to sustain them all, I plan to continue to press for balanced growth, and social and fiscal responsibility.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Life and career experiences, living around the world in over 25 years abroad. This has been in the US Navy, as a Radar Engineer with a global defense contractor, and as a senior executive with global telecom companies in living in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Responsibility for million dollar plus departmental budgets and global teams of direct employees and distribution partners has given career experience, but living in other countries widens your perspective on what is possible.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Having my Mother to live with me in her last years makes me aware of the support needed as we age. Being a Veteran, I want to be a voice for those who have served.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I achieve what I set out to do, but what I achieve also shows strength of character, integrity, personality type and my passions. From a boy and achieving Eagle Scout. Being a team member and part of a school marching band, rock bands, as a choir director, and performing on-stage in amateur dramatics (during which I met my Wife!). Managing a radar team on a Guided Missile Fast Frigate. Living abroad and managing installations of radars in our ally countries. Thinking outside the box to move $100 million accounts away from competitor companies.

Having lovely and amazingly well adjusted children – one of whom just blessed me with a Granddaughter!

I can’t sit still, but what I get involved with has to have meaning. As the Secretary of the Brookfield Neighbors Club, bringing businesses to Brookfield with our Economic Development Commission, and ensuring well-managed growth serving on the Planning Commission, I get involved. I also enjoy the fact that the people on all these groups are friends and work together to serve our Community – regardless of political affiliation!

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat big problems and large goals as if you are eating a salami. One slice at a time, steadily, and then you’re done!