Paul became politically active in late 2007, when Natick Public Schools proposed closing Johnson Elementary School to close an anticipated gap in the Town’s FY2009 budget. Like many of Natick’s politically active volunteers, his interest in one issue sparked curiosity about “why” did things get to that point, “how” does local government work, and “what” can he/we do about it?

From his early experience working with the Yes For Natick! 2008 Operating Override leadership team, Paul felt strongly that government needed to do better. The hasty consideration of closing a school to “find money” for an annual operating budget, and the budgeting process itself, created an uneasy tension between the municipal government and school department and their elected boards.

Town government seemed lacked a holistic view of its priorities and operations, and the stress from a polarized community made understanding and solving this challenge very difficult.

Paul established a reputation for listening objectively to all perspectives, learning what he didn’t know, and striving to find common ground to achieve sustainable improvements to the Town of Natick’s operations across the municipal government, school department, and within its public-private partnerships.

Experience Volunteering in Natick Government

  • Town Meeting Precinct 9 (2008 – 2012, 2014 – 2018)
  • Revenue Enhancement Task Force (2008 – 2009)
  • Economic Development Committee, chair (2009-2015)
  • Interview Panelist for Hiring Director of Community and Economic Development Finalists (2020)
  • Select Board, then known as “Board of Selectmen,” (2010 – 2013) clerk 2010-2012, chair 2012-2013
  • Member of team that hired Police Chief Hicks
  • Collaborated on leading the Facilities Management Department consolidation between Municipal and School Departments
  • Established metrics-based approach to annual goal setting
  • Established trust and working relationships with business community and Natick Soldiers Systems Center
  • Chase Arena Advisory Committee liaison (2010 – 2013)
  • Lookout Farm Advisory Committee liaison (2010 – 2013)
  • Strategic Planning Committee rep (2010 – 2012)
  • Youth Advisory Board liaison (2012 – 2013)
  • Morse Institute Library Strategic Planning Committee (2012)
  • Natick Together for Youth liaison and community employer rep (2012 – 2019)
  • Natick Center Associates and EDC liaison (2010 – 2013)
  • Facilities Management Committee (2011 – 2013)
  • Financial Planning Committee (2012 – 2013)

Regional Leadership and Representation

  • MassHire Metro South West, Strategic Planning Task Force (2020 – present)
  • MetroWest Life Sciences Network, Founding Sponsor and Leadership Committee member (2017 – present)
  • MetroWest STEM Educators Network, Business Community Liaison (2016 – present)
  • Framingham State University Career Services, Suitable Solutions Program, Mentor, guest speaker and event facilitator (2017 – 2020)
  • MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO (2015 – 2019)
  • Baker Administration Economic Development Planning Council (2015 – 2016)
  • 495/MetroWest Partnership, Board Member (2015 – 2019)
  • MetroWest Visitors Bureau, Board Member (2015 – 2019)
  • MassECON Member (2016 – 2018)
  • Tech Circle Advisory Committee (Framingham Tech Park/Exit 12), Member (2017 – 2019)
  • Golden Triangle Study Committee, MW Chamber liaison (2017 – 2018)
  • MetroWest Life Sciences Tour, Co-organizer and sponsor (2018)
  • MetroWest Express, reverse commuter shuttle launch advocate (2018)
  • Lookout Farm Harvest Festival, Co-organizer and sponsor (2018)
  • Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative, collaboration with SPARK Kindness, MassHire Metro South West, MetroWest Health Foundation, and Charles River Rotary (2018 – 2019)
  • Foundation for MetroWest, Award Recipient and Volunteer:
  • 2017 Civic Leader of the Year Award
  • 2018-2019 Impact MetroWest Community Dashboard Advisory Committee

Other Volunteerism and Community Engagement

  • Natick Service Council, Board Member (2013 – 2018), Food Pantry Volunteer
  • Natick Center Associates, Board Member (2013 – 2015)
  • Keep Natick Beautiful, Board Member/Advisor (2014 – present)
  • Natick Little League, Fall Ball Assistant Coach (2015)
  • UU Society of Westborough, Finance Committee (2006 – 2010), chair 2008 – 2010
  • Framingham Rotary, Member (2017 – 2019)
  • Boston Marathon Charity Runner (2006 – 2014, 2016, 2018 – 2020)