Patch Candidate Profile: Ross Tartell, Wilton Board of Selectmen

WILTON, CT — The 2023 municipal election is heating up in Wilton and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Wilton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Management consultant Ross Tartell, 71, is running for re-election to the Wilton Board of Selectmen as a Democrat.

Education.

Ph.D. in Social Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University. M.B.A. in Management of Organizations, The Graduate School of Business, Columbia University. M.Ed. in Vocational Counseling, Teachers College, Columbia University. M.A. Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University B.A. in Social Science, Hofstra University.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife: Karen Tartell-retired from Save the Children; Son Michael Tartell-a Postdoctoral Fellow at Rockefeller University

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Wilton Fire Commissioner 2014 - 2019; Board of Selectmen 2019-2023

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I have spent my career helping individuals to become successful and enabling organizations to achieve peak performance. I bring that skill set and attitude to my work volunteering for the town. Working to keep Wilton one of the best towns in Connecticut is some of the most meaningful and important work that I can do. It is hard, but what happens in our town government affects what each of us does every day.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Mental Health – The mental health issues facing our town and country are serious and complex. I care deeply about how Wilton responds to the daunting mental health challenges it faces. I will continue to ensure that the Social Services Department has the resources it needs to serve Wilton’s citizens, and I will work to strengthen its capacity to reach out, and broaden the range of services that it provides.

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

My track record of effective community service has drawn from my considerable business experience in the areas of leadership development, executive coaching, change management and human resources. We live in a complex and dangerous world, and I have spent my career helping individuals and organizations understand what it takes to succeed in a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. I will continue to apply my extensive business experience and skills to help Wilton’s citizens find common ground and unlock the hidden opportunities that will brighten Wilton’s future.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

This is not about failure, but it is all about what might be better. Wilton is in a transformational period. There are a wide range of challenges facing our town and society. These include a mental health crisis, financial stresses, inadequate diversified housing, and helping the town grow, while maintaining its rural feel and sense of “place.” To meet the challenges facing us requires a deep understanding of what makes Wilton successful, an understanding of the new generation moving to Wilton, and a vision that will move all of us forward.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Housing, town amenities, Wilton's rural feel, using technology to make government more efficient, economic development, and creating an inclusive town culture

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

There are two accomplishments that demonstrate why I am a successful Selectmen. I have been an executive coach for over thirty years. Many of my coaching clients not only resolved the issues they faced in the moment, but went on to have very successful careers. Often, they learned how to be successful because of the discussions we had in the coaching relationship. Helping people understand their gifts and teaching skills that unlock their potential are important to the success of so many of the people and groups that come before the board of selectmen.

Second is my experience teaching “Data Based Interventions” at Columbia University. The course focuses on using data to drive strategic change. In an environment that is rapidly changing, being able to gather and then make sense of the data is critical to good problem solving and decision-making.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The corollary to Murphy’s Law, “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong,” is that Murphy was an optimist. Be prepared!

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like voters to know a short story that demonstrates the respectful and caring relationships I have with people. I spent 18 years at the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, conducting leadership development programs. My work enabled me to interact with some people over the course of most of their careers. I met one woman early in her career and continued to work with her as she rose through the ranks to be a senior leader. Toward the end of my time at Pfizer she took me aside and said, “when I was junior you always treated me as if I was senior.” That is the feeling of respect and care that is characteristic of so many of my relationships.