Tony Pesco - Democratic Candidate for Selectman

Election: November 4, 2025 Position: Board of Selectmen Party: Democratic Party Status: Incumbent (elected 2023)¹

Executive Summary

Dr. Anthony "Tony" Pesco is the Democratic incumbent running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in Weston's November 4, 2025 municipal election. A financial services executive with over 25 years of Wall Street experience² and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University, Pesco brings a combination of scientific rigor and financial expertise to local governance. He previously served on the Weston Board of Education for five years, including three years as chairman,³ before being elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2023 with 64% of the vote.⁴

Personal Information

Age: Not publicly disclosed Residence: Weston, CT (30+ years)² Family: Married to Lisa Pesco; two children² Political Affiliation: Democrat

Education

• PhD in Chemical Engineering and Applied Mathematics - Columbia University (1980-1986)
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics - Columbia University (1980-1986)

Professional Background

Early Career: Research Scientist

• AT&T Bell Laboratories - Research Scientist
  • Worked in advanced research before transitioning to finance

Financial Services Career (27+ years)

Credit Suisse (1999-2017, 18 years)²

• Global Head of Equity Derivatives, Fund Linked Products, and Convertible Bond Sales, Trading and Product Development²

  • Led a 500-person global team generating approximately $2 billion in annual revenues²
  • Served 18 years in various leadership positions²
  • Joined when the firm was Credit Suisse First Boston

• Managing Director and Deputy Head of Strategic Risk Management

  • Evaluated and managed significant balance sheet risks
  • Chief architect of Credit Suisse's economic risk capital allocation model

• Head of Trading Risk for Securities Division (2008-2009 Financial Crisis)

  • Managed and disposed of the bank's dislocated credit and real estate assets during the financial crisis
  • Critical role during one of the most challenging periods in financial services history

• Officially departed: March 2017 (retirement announced October 2016)

Other Major Financial Institutions

• Banco Santander - Global Head of Derivative Products
• AIG Financial Products - Head of Product Development
• J.P. Morgan - Derivatives Research Group, Vice President

Current Roles

PeachTree Ventures, LLC

• Founder (Current)
• Capitalizes on 25+ years of experience as investor and advisor in financial services and fintech sectors

Star Mountain Capital

• Senior Advisor and Strategic Personal Investor (August 2018-present)²
• Provides expertise in risk management, team leadership, and product development²

Board Service

• Norwalk/Stamford Grassroots Tennis and Education - Board Member
  • Nonprofit providing free tennis instruction and academic support to underserved youth
  • Serves children ages 6-18 in Norwalk and Stamford

Political Career

Board of Education (2017-2023, 6 years)³

Initial Election (2017)

• Elected to Board of Education
• Received 1,777 votes

Re-election (2021)

• Ran as incumbent Democrat for full four-year term
• Effectively ran unopposed alongside other BOE candidates

Chairmanship (Approximately 2018-2021, 3 years)

• Served as Board Chair for three years
• Led the board through critical challenges including COVID-19 school reopening

Key Contributions as BOE Chair:

• Leadership Reinvigoration: Led student-centric vision that guided the reinvigoration of school leadership
• Budget Discipline: Returned excess money to the town through careful fiscal management
• School Facilities: Oversaw planning process for upgrading school facilities
• Student Safety: Implemented improvements to student safety measures
• Superintendent Selection: Announced selection of Lisa Wolak as Schools Superintendent in March 2021
• COVID-19 Response: Navigated complex school reopening during pandemic

Notable Statements as BOE Chair:

On school reopening during COVID-19 (September 2020):³

"If anyone can actually pull this off successfully, we can. This is not going to be perfect. We've never done this before."³

On budget priorities:⁵

"Public health and safety of our staff and students is going to be the driving criteria for picking the mode of school reopening."⁵

Regarding the $56.9 million school budget (2022):

"An absolutely appropriate budget to pass along to other town boards."

Board of Selectmen (2023-present)

First Election (November 7, 2023)⁴

• Position: Selectman (Second Selectman)
• Result: Elected with 64.11% of vote⁴
  • Tony Pesco (D): 1,802 votes (64.11%)⁴
  • Kerem Dinlenc (R): 1,009 votes (35.89%)⁴
• Running Mate: First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor (also re-elected)⁴

Campaign Launch: July 25, 2023⁶

• Received unanimous endorsement from Democratic party caucus⁶
• Ran on joint ticket with First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor⁶
• Campaign emphasized "leadership skills, bringing marketing and financial experience to the governing of Weston"

Campaign Platform (2023):

• Continuing strong budgetary initiatives
• Infrastructure improvements
• Safety enhancements
• Stated he was "ready to step into the Selectman role to continue strong budgetary, infrastructure and safety initiatives"

Current Term (2023-2025)

• Serves as Second Selectman¹
• Works alongside First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor (D) and Selectman Kerem Dinlenc (R)¹
• Term expires: November 11, 2025¹
• Email: tpesco@westonct.gov¹

Notable Activities as Selectman:

• Support for Budgets: April 2024 letter supporting town budgets, demonstrating fiscal oversight
• Community Engagement: Donated to fund camp for children in Siversk, Ukraine, stating "Anything that involves kids speaks to me"

2025 Re-election Campaign

Endorsement

• Endorsed by Democratic caucus on July 22, 2025
• Running for re-election with First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor

Opposition

• Opponent: Lauren Traum (Republican)
  • Traum is a recent convert to Republican Party (previously registered Democrat)
  • Currently suing the Town of Weston to block third phase of sidewalks project
  • Defeated incumbent Republican Kerem Dinlenc in caucus (52-15 vote)

Republican Strategy: Republicans did not field a candidate for First Selectman, focusing resources on the Selectman race

Policy Positions & Priorities

Fiscal Management

• Budget Discipline: Track record of careful fiscal management from BOE tenure, returning excess funds to town
• Responsible Growth: Supports balanced budgets while maintaining town services
• Financial Expertise: Brings Wall Street risk management experience to municipal budgeting

Education

• Strong Schools: Long-term commitment demonstrated through 6 years of Board of Education service
• Student-Centered: Consistently prioritized student needs in policy decisions
• Facilities Investment: Supported planning for school facility upgrades

Safety & Infrastructure

• Public Safety Priority: Emphasized safety in both education and selectman roles
• Infrastructure Investment: Campaign platform includes infrastructure improvements
• Risk Assessment: Applies professional risk management expertise to town planning

Community Values

• Youth Development: Active supporter of youth programs (tennis/education nonprofit)
• Community Service: 30+ years as Weston resident with deep local roots
• Collaborative Leadership: Works across party lines (current board includes Republican member)

Governance Philosophy

• Pragmatic Leadership: "This is not going to be perfect. We've never done this before." - Acknowledges challenges while maintaining confidence
• Transparent Communication: Direct and honest with constituents
• Evidence-Based: Brings scientific and analytical approach to decision-making

Electoral History

Summary Table

Performance Analysis

• Consistent Winner: Won every election contested
• Strong Margins: 2023 victory was decisive 2-to-1 margin
• Bipartisan Appeal: High vote totals suggest support beyond Democratic base
• Experience Advantage: 8 years of town government experience (6 years BOE + 2 years BOS)

Key Endorsements & Support

2023 Campaign

• Democratic Town Committee: Unanimous endorsement⁷
• Community Leaders: Praised for "leadership skills"
• Fiscal Conservatives: Endorsed for "budget discipline that returned excess money to the town"

Running Mates

• First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor: Strong partnership on joint tickets in 2023 and 2025

Controversies & Challenges

No Major Controversies

Research found no significant controversies or scandals associated with Tony Pesco's political career or professional background.

Challenges Addressed

COVID-19 School Reopening (2020)³

• Challenge: Navigating unprecedented school reopening during pandemic³
• Approach: Pragmatic, transparent communication with community³
• Outcome: Successfully managed complex negotiations with teachers' union and implemented reopening plan³

Open Meeting Law Violation (2021)⁸

• Issue: Board of Education drafted a public statement in 2021 using a process that violated open meeting regulations⁸
• Response: Dr. Pesco issued a letter acknowledging the violation and apologizing to the community⁸
• Context: The incident occurred during a period of heightened FOIA demands and community tensions⁸

Budget Constraints

• Challenge: Managing school district expectations during economic uncertainty
• Approach: Careful fiscal discipline while maintaining educational quality
• Outcome: Returned excess funds to town while supporting appropriate budgets

Community Involvement

Nonprofit Leadership

• Grassroots Tennis & Education (Norwalk/Stamford): Board member supporting youth development through tennis and academic support for underserved communities

International Humanitarian Support

• Ukraine Support: Donated to fund camp for children in war-torn Siversk, Ukraine

Local Engagement

• 30+ Years Residency: Deep roots in Weston community
• Two Children: Educated in Weston school system
• Town Government: 8 years of service across education and executive branches

Media Coverage & Public Presence

Notable Media Appearances

Weston Today

• "School Board Chair: 'If Anyone Can Pull This Off, We Can'" (September 2020)

  • Interview about COVID-19 school reopening plan

• "Nestor, Pesco Launch Campaign" (July 2023)

  • Joint video interview with Samantha Nestor announcing 2023 campaign

• "Lisa Wolak Named Schools Superintendent" (March 2021)

  • Announced superintendent selection as BOE Chair

CT Insider / Hearst Connecticut Media

• Multiple articles covering board actions on budgets, school reopening, facility planning

Patch

• Election coverage and voter guides for 2021, 2023, and 2025 campaigns

Public Communication Style

• Direct and Honest: Acknowledges challenges rather than overpromising
• Collaborative: Emphasizes teamwork and collective effort
• Data-Driven: References evidence and expertise in decision-making
• Accessible: Maintains open communication with constituents

Professional Expertise Applied to Public Service

Financial Analysis

• Risk Management: Applies Credit Suisse risk assessment experience to town financial planning
• Capital Allocation: Understands complex financial modeling from Wall Street career
• Crisis Management: 2008-2009 financial crisis experience relevant to economic challenges

Leadership & Management

• Large Team Management: Led 500-person global team at Credit Suisse
• Product Development: Created and launched financial products, applicable to town program development
• Strategic Planning: Developed long-term strategies in corporate environment

Analytical Thinking

• Scientific Training: PhD-level research skills bring rigorous analysis
• Quantitative Skills: Strong mathematics and modeling background
• Problem-Solving: Engineering training emphasizes systematic problem-solving

Quotes & Public Statements

On Leadership (September 2020)

"If anyone can actually pull this off successfully, we can."

"This is not going to be perfect. We've never done this before."

On Priorities (2020)

"Public health and safety of our staff and students is going to be the driving criteria for picking the mode of school reopening."

On Youth (October 2023)

"Anything that involves kids speaks to me."

On Budget (2022)

"[The $56.9 million school budget is an] absolutely appropriate budget to pass along to other town boards."

Campaign Platform (2023)

"Ready to step into the Selectman role to continue strong budgetary, infrastructure and safety initiatives."

Contact Information

Official Town Email: tpesco@westonct.gov Office: Board of Selectmen, Town of Weston Address: Weston Town Hall, 56 Norfield Road, Weston, CT 06883

LinkedIn: Anthony Pesco, PhD

Campaign Information: Likely available through Weston Democratic Town Committee

Analysis & Assessment

Strengths

1. Extensive Experience: 8 years of town government service (6 BOE + 2 BOS)
2. Financial Expertise: Rare combination of PhD-level analytical skills and Wall Street experience
3. Proven Leadership: Successfully chaired Board of Education through challenging period
4. Electoral Success: Strong track record of winning elections with solid margins
5. Fiscal Responsibility: Demonstrated commitment to budget discipline
6. Crisis Management: Navigated COVID-19 challenges and 2008 financial crisis
7. Community Roots: 30+ years in Weston with family ties to schools
8. Bipartisan Cooperation: Works effectively with Republican board members

Potential Vulnerabilities

1. Age/Transparency: Does not publicly disclose age or birthdate
2. Career Transition: Left Credit Suisse in 2016-2017, some may question currency of financial sector knowledge
3. Political Experience: Relatively short political career (since 2017) compared to career politicians
4. Name Recognition: May need to distinguish himself from running mate Samantha Nestor, who is First Selectwoman

Campaign Positioning

Incumbent Advantage: Running as incumbent with 2-year track record on BOS Experience Differential: 8 years total vs. opponent's first run for office Financial Credentials: Unmatched financial expertise among local candidates Education Legacy: Strong record on BOE resonates with families Democratic Partnership: Benefits from strong partnership with popular First Selectwoman

Electoral Outlook (2025)

Factors Favoring Pesco:

• Incumbent status with successful first term
• Strong 2023 victory margin (64%)
• Extensive government experience vs. first-time opponent
• Partnership with re-running First Selectwoman Nestor
• Republicans not fielding First Selectman candidate (resource split)
• Proven financial expertise valued in uncertain economic times

Potential Challenges:

• Opponent (Traum) brings fresh perspective vs. 8-year incumbent
• Traum's lawsuit against town may resonate with anti-government sentiment
• Republican internal dynamics (Traum defeated incumbent Dinlenc)
• National political environment could affect local races

Overall Assessment: Tony Pesco enters the 2025 race as likely to win based on incumbency, experience, track record, and 2023 performance. His combination of education service, financial expertise, and electoral success positions him well for re-election.

Sources & Research Notes

Primary Sources:

• Town of Weston official website (westonct.gov)
• Weston Today (westontoday.news) - Local news coverage
• Connecticut Patch (Weston edition) - Election coverage
• Connecticut Secretary of State - Official ballot information
• Star Mountain Capital - Professional biography
• Business Wire press releases
• eFinancialCareers - Career history

Last Updated: October 15, 2025 Researcher: Compiled from public sources Note: This profile is based on publicly available information as of October 2025. Some personal details (age, specific birthdate) are not publicly disclosed.

Appendix: Career Timeline

Sources

This profile is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available information. It is not affiliated with any campaign or political organization.