Wallingford Candidate Profile: Allinson For Board Of Education

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

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

Autumn Allinson, 37, is running for election to the Board of Education as a Republican.

Are you running for office in Wallingford? Contact Vinnie Salzo at vincent.salzo@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Wallingford Patch.

Family:

Husband, Steve Allinson, probate attorney, 38 YO; Elder cat, Lily, enjoys people food and running around sounding like a horse at any and all hours, 8 YO; Baby cat, Bastet, enjoys only sweet people food and acting like she wants to be picked up when she really hates being picked up, 4 YO

Education:

SCSU, BS in Business Management, class of 2015

Occupation:

Unilever, Logistics Specialist, with Unilever for 2 years, in Logistics for 7, in corporate for 10.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office:

N/A

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

There is not one single issue that our town is facing. Two of the major topics that the current board is addressing are the secondary schools’ operational assessments / survey and test scores. I don’t believe that we have been presented with enough data to properly strategize change, so gathering more information will be imperative as we move toward change. I will bring my background in analytics and building operations to ensure that we review strategic options holistically and with fiscal responsibility.

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

As a team player, I won’t imply that my experience, albeit unique, is superlative to that of anyone else running for the Board. I bring a unique set of skills in logistics operations (warehousing, transportation, analytics and process improvement) that will round out the team’s level of experience in facility and project management. I also have a passion for analytics and will work to seek answers to some of the big questions that we are facing efficiently and with a “Right-First-Time” mindset.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:

Education is the most important asset that one generation/people can bestow upon another. There is always something new to learn mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. We must teach our students in ways that are both meaningful to them and which will facilitate future learning.

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

I have never failed at what I’ve set out to do. Plans evolve and technology changes, and I have always been able to seek solutions to issues that I’ve encountered along my path. I am tireless in my goals, and I require excellence of myself at all times. I have won 2 awards for the work I’ve done teaching financial literacy at several high schools in Fairfield County, I have won awards for my levels of service and support to my teams, and I have been a mentor to many folks along my career and school paths. I know that I cannot move mountains alone, but I will always on the team that is trying.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Work hard and make your own money.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I worked full time, changed jobs twice (same company), got engaged and planned a wedding in another state while I went to school for a four-year degree in three years, all while maintaining nearly straight A’s (dang it, calculus!). I’d love to hone my passion for excellence toward the Board of Education since these students will inevitably play a huge part all of our futures.

Campaign website:

autumnforboardofed.org