Meet the Candidates

Mary Sabri Alexander–Basta – Candidate for Village Trustee

Mary Alexander-Basta serves on the Board of the Bolingbrook Soccer Club, which recently celebrated its 40^th year of service to youth in Bolingbrook. She supports the school community as President of the John F. Kennedy PTA, President of the Plainfield Middle Schools Music Boosters, and prior to that as PTA President at Eichelberger Elementary School. Previously, Mary served as President of the Bloomfield West II Homeowners Association. She currently serves as the Chairperson of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, which reviews new residential and commercial development in Bolingbrook and makes recommendations to the Village Board. Mary is also Vice President of the Bolingbrook STEM Association, where she works to improve and promote educational experiences for youth in the critical curriculum areas of science, technology, engineering and math.

Mary studied Mass Communications at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, and Hospitality Management at Tennessee State University. Her background includes Social and Corporate Event Planning, Hotel and Club Management at locations such as the Palmer House Hilton, Four Seasons, and the Chicago Yacht Club where she became the first female General Manager in the Club’s 125 year history. She currently works as an independent Hospitality and Event Consultant.

The Basta family are very involved in service to the Bolingbrook community, have a strong passion for soccer and youth development, and can be seen at many Community events. Mary states that she was strongly influenced toward community involvement by her parents. Both her mother and her uncle now live in Bolingbrook. Mary and her husband, Dr. Emad Basta, moved to Bolingbrook in November 2003. They are parents to two sons, Peter (age 14) and Benjamin (age 13).

Mary has received recognition as the recipient of the CAPE (Coordination of Parent and groups for Educational Efficiency) in 2013 and 2017. In honor of her exemplary service to the Bolingbrook community over the years, Mary was chosen as the 2018 Bolingbrook Female Citizen of the Year.

Sheldon L. Watts – Candidate for Village Trustee

Sheldon Watts currently serves as a Trustee for the Village of Bolingbrook, having been appointed on November 28, 2017 to fill the vacancy caused by the untimely passing of long-serving Deputy Mayor and Village Trustee Leroy J. Brown. Prior to joining the Village Board, Sheldon served as a DuPage Township Trustee. He has volunteered with many community organizations over the years. Today Sheldon serves as President and Founder of the Bolingbrook STEM Association, where the organization focuses on increasing student awareness and learning opportunities associated with science, technology, engineering and math. Sheldon is also a Board member for the Will County Center for Community Concerns, Chairman of the Bolingbrook Joyfest Christian Music Festival, and Founder of the Minority Business Networking Brunch, known as Brunch in the Brook.

Sheldon has had a results-proven career with a global telecommunications solutions provider. He has been employed with the company for 21 years and is a member of the Chief Technology Office - Global Services Delivery Organization. Sheldon is the Lead Customer Compliance Manager for the organization, where he is responsible for ensuring that the company follows the critical contractual requirements specified by its customers and the U.S. government.

Sheldon earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1998 and a Master of Business Administration in 2001, both from Roosevelt University. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where he is studying Organizational Leadership. Over the years, Sheldon has completed numerous training courses and certifications ranging from technical/engineering certifications to project management and general leadership training.

Sheldon has had the distinct honor of being selected as Bolingbrook’s 2014 Male Citizen of the Year and being named to the 2016 Governor Jim Edgar Fellowship class. Sheldon and his wife Cherron, are lifelong residents of Illinois, and have been Bolingbrook residents since 2007. The Watts have twin children, Shania and Sheldon Jr., a constant source of joy and inspiration. They attend Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Bolingbrook, where Sheldon is a member of the Champions Men’s Ministry.

Michael J. Carpanzano – Candidate for Village Trustee

Michael J. Carpanzano has been a part of the Bolingbrook Business Community for over a decade. He believes in commitment and the power of positivity as demonstrated by his involvement with several local non-profit organizations focused on youth mentoring, crime prevention, and education. Carpanzano gained his strong community relationships through his previous position as Executive Director of the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, where he held the Chamber’s top spot focusing on economic and community development.

Carpanzano is the son of Italian immigrants and was the first person in his family to graduate from college. He attended the University of St. Francis in Joliet where he was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 2008, with a Management Major and Economics Minor. In 2012, he earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) also from the University of St. Francis.

Currently, Michael is the Regional Director of Sales for a national physical therapy practice. Carpanzano spends his leisure time supporting many non-profit organizations in both Executive and volunteer committee member roles. He serves as President of the Board for Midwest Christian Montessori Academy in Bolingbrook. Michael is also the Treasurer of the Board for Heart Haven OutReach (H2O), an organization dedicated to mentoring high school and middle school age youth through support groups, character and life skills education, service opportunities, and recreation. In addition, he serves as the Treasurer of the Board of Crime Stoppers of Bolingbrook.

You will often find Carpanzano on the stage engaging large crowds at community events or helping non-profits raise money as a locally renowned enthusiastic Master of Ceremonies. Carpanzano resides in the River Hills subdivision on the west side of Bolingbrook with his wife (Nadia), their son (Luca), and their family dog (Turbo). Michael decided to start his family in Bolingbrook because he believes it truly is a community to live, work, play, and grow in.