Bill’s 7th Norfolk District journey began when his family moved from Norwell to Milton in 1989.  He was in the first grade, as a St. Agatha’s School student and childhood was filled with playing organized baseball and basketball in between backyard wiffle ball and street hockey, and trips to the Higashi School for the best sledding around. He later attended BC High where he played football for a few years, honed his film production skills and became a serial volunteer for the Key Society. The first Board of Directors Bill ever served on oversaw placements and direction for the Key Society members.

 

In September 2001, Bill walked into the main gates at Boston College and began the pursuit of a BA in Communications, preparing for what seemed at the time to be an inevitable career in film and television production. His college career included producing student television, running two Boston Marathons and a summer as a concession stand attendant at the Showcase Cinema in Randolph. In May 2005, Bill, graduated from BC and unlocked Double Eagle status. He began working behind the scenes on independents films, and the first major motion picture Bill ever worked on won the Oscar for Best Picture…Bill’s critical role on the film involved a few milliseconds on screen as an extra.

 

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast later that year, in September of 2005, Bill felt compelled to act. He knew if he could get there he could do something to help. What started as a two-week trip away from his venture into the film business turned in to a two-year mission to assist underserved communities in Mississippi facing the aftermath of the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, and changed the course of his career.

 

For the past decade, Bill has provided leadership in disaster response, organizing volunteers and coordinating across organizations, emergency management professionals, and all levels of government to help families and communities rebuild following natural disasters. Bill has served in executive leadership roles for three nonprofit organizations, including his current roles with NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster, and as Interim CEO of National VOAD, the industry association for organizations active in disaster response.

 

While his work has taken him across the country and world, Milton has always been home base. When he was traveling more frequently, often away for months at a time, upon returning home Bill would unwind and recharge by hiking and running trails in the Blue Hills. Having purchased their first home a year and a half ago in East Milton Square, Bill and his wife, Beca, are proud to be part of the new wave of young families settling down in the area. The couple welcomed a baby boy, Will, to the world in September. Bill and Will can frequently be spotted strolling around East Milton together, talking with neighbors. Will, is of course, the official campaign spokesman.

 

Since Katrina, Bill has routinely been sought after to strengthen disaster response nonprofit organizations. He has worked with communities to advocate for their needs, navigating bureaucracy and bringing organizations and government agencies together to create solutions. Turning his focus to his home community, Bill seeks to do the same for the 7th Norfolk and represent your needs to strengthen this great community.

 

 

More about Bill:

 

EDUCATION

• St. Agatha School, Grades K-8 (1988-1997)

• BC High School, Grades 9-12 (1998-2001)

• Boston College, Bachelor of Arts, Communications (2001-2005)

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD)

  • Interim President and CEO (May 2015- May 2016)

  • Executive Member of the Board (2012-2015)

  • Voting Member Representative (2009-2015)

• NECHAMA – Jewish Response to Disaster

  • Executive Director (2011-Present)

• All Hands Volunteers (formerly Hands On Disaster Response)

  • Director of U.S. Operations (2007-2011)

• Persevere Disaster Relief

  • Founder and Executive Director (2006-2007)

  • AmeriCorps member (2006-2007)

  • Board member (2008-Present)

• Hands on USA (2005)

  • Katrina Relief Project and Fleet Management Volunteer

• Showcase Cinema, Randolph, MA

  • Concession Attendant  (Summer 2003)

 

RECOGNITION

• BC High, St. Ignatius Award, 2012

• Boston College, Young Alumni Award, 2006

• Presidential Call to Service Award, 2006

  • Presented by First Lady Laura Bush

• Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us Award, 2005

• Most Versatile Player, Twins, Milton Little League, 1995

 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND COMMITTEE WORK

• East Milton Neighborhood Association Member (2015-Present)

• Operation Dragon Fire (ODF) – Executive Steering Committee (2014-2016)

Operation Dragon Fire (ODF) is a technology offering that delivers

better information to decision makers during a disaster.

Presently, ODF is a design collaborative initiative between the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National

Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), and many

stakeholders including individuals from Facebook, Intel, IBM,

Harvard School of Public Health, FEMA and more to develop a

technology solution to aid decision makers during times of disaster

• Rhode Island VOAD Member Representative (2008-2016)

• National VOAD Standing Committees

  • Executive Committee (2012-2015)

  • Membership (2009-2015)

  • Finance Committee (2012-2015)

• National VOAD Ad Hoc Committees

  • Volunteer Management (2009-2014)

  • Housing (2011-2014)

  • Technology (2011-2013)

  • Conference Planning (2013)

• Massachusetts VOAD Member Representative (2007-2011)