Wilton Election 2021 Profile: Sandy Arkell

WILTON, CT — The state Municipal Election is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Patch contacted candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Democrat Sandy Arkell, 53, is running for Wilton Board of Finance in Wilton.

Occupation: Principal Accounting Officer, Mastercard

Family: Husband Chris and son John (14)

Experience: Board of Finance (incumbent)

Family in government: No

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

I want to do all that I can to make sure that Wilton capitalizes on our opportunities to grow and attract new businesses and further invigorate our Town Center while diversifying our tax base. We need to strike the right balance of fiscal prudency and investments in our future and preservation of all that makes Wilton so special.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

Finances and budgets are something I do every day. I’m the global head of accounting for Mastercard and prior to that was the Chief Accounting Officer for Dover Corporation. I bring more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, almost entirely for Fortune 500 companies such as Wendy’s, Delphi, Sears and Pulte Homes. I began my career as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers after earning my bachelors’ degree in accounting from Penn State University, and where I serve on the Accounting Advisory Board of the Smeal College of Business.

Accomplishments:

Amidst the pandemic last year, I volunteered to fill a vacancy on the Board of Finance, and frankly, I was humbled by a bi-partisan and unanimous appointment. I’m proud of my leadership on the board, and my collaborative work with the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Education managing through the uncertainties and challenges the pandemic brought to the financial budgeting and planning process. Collaboration is key. We accomplished that with transparency and purpose above politics.

Other issues:

At our Annual Town Meetings, I want to present voters with budgets that they can embrace, and budgets that reflect our shared values and vision for Wilton's future.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I serve on the board of the Women’s Business Development Council, a charitable organization supporting women entrepreneurs through financial education and other services, and with the goal of creating and growing sustainable jobs and businesses across our state.