Phil Vaccaro - the compelling choice for School Committee

In my forty-five year business career I have reviewed hundreds of resumes of individuals trying to enter the investment industry from graduate school, other investment firms or the public accounting profession.  I interviewed a sizable fraction of these applicants for equity research analyst or portfolio management positions.  I believe I know educational achievement, experience, competence, and integrity when I see it.  The first two traits can be glimpsed from a resume but spending time one on one with someone is imperative to get a full appreciation of the candidate.  Most of the time it is a challenge to find the right “fit” between the job opening and a candidate.  In addition, I have found that there comes a time in the process when it all “clicks” and that the candidate is the “right” chemistry fit between the organization, the job and that individual.  You always strive to have multiple qualified candidates but occasionally there is one superbly qualified candidate. 

In my forty years of residing in Reading I have never seen a job applicant for Town office – School Committee, in this instance – more prepared by way of experience, education, competence and decision-making demeanor than Phil Vaccaro.  For over thirty years I have seen character, integrity, principle and doing things the right way matter more than personal agenda or self-promotion.  He’s always been right where he has always wanted to be – with the students, athletes of Reading – hoping to help shape them into becoming young adults who can think critically for themselves and become solid citizens and even, one day, residents of the wonderful town they grew up in.

Like any professional position job opening there are challenges (some visible, some yet to reveal themselves) that will arise for a new School Committee member.  It is in those particular instances where decades of experience working in the RMHS system, having an institutional memory of dealing with issues, teachers, administrators and having the quality education of students as his driving influence that Phil Vaccaro will have his greatest beneficial impact on the Town he cares so much for.

By resume, experience, competence and integrity the chemistry fit of Phil Vaccaro for School Committee is blindingly obvious for me.  For others hoping to hire a most eminently qualified candidate I hope you’ll join with me on April 1st. 

Sincerely,

Tom Stakem

20 Hunt Street

Reading, MA 01867