Patch Candidate Profile: Thomas Koba, Milford Board Of Education

MILFORD, CT — As the 2023 municipal elections get closer in Milford, there are plenty of races with candidates who are eager to serve in elected office.

Milford Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will publish candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Thomas Koba, 63, is running for a seat on the Board of Education in Milford to represent the 4th District as a Democratic candidate.

Education.

BS Electrical Engineering, University of Hartford; MS Electrical Engineering RPI.

What is your occupation?

Project Engineering Manager, 41 years in aerospace industry.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife Nadine Padowicz who is my partner and advocate in all aspects of life, including working tirelessly for the entire Democratic ticket. 2 stepsons (Nathan in Denver CO, Grayson in Los Angeles CA).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No.

Why are you seeking this office?

I strongly believe education is a foundational value a healthy strong democracy and investing in education is investing in our future, since successful students equate successful citizens in all aspects of their life-- professionally, socially and in the community. I also have a strong desire to give back to the community by offering my time and service. I intend to work with the rest of the board to be an advocate for the educators, students, and parents of Milford and ensure our district continues to provide a progressive, diverse, and adaptable learning environment while continuing to attract and retain high quality educators.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single issue facing everyone at this time is cost, given that everyone individually is experiencing inflation in every aspect of their expenses, as is the school district in general. The education budget is a large part if the Milford budget and impacts everyone since it covered by taxes paid by all Milford residents. I will support the BOE in continuing reviews and evaluation of ongoing expenses and suggest adjustments/improvements where possible. I intend to work in conjunction with the rest of the BOE and the superintendent to maintain the budget development and review process that is already in place which requires base-lining and justifying each item independent of previous year’s budgets. The BOE will certainly be challenged to do tradeoffs and balances versus the overall town budget next year, however once the budget is established, I will be an advocate and fight for the budget that is presented, just as I did this past April as a town resident.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I bring a perspective of someone that has been in highly technical industry with over 40 years of continued learning and people interaction, who understands and values the importance of diversity and basic soft skills. The technology of today did not exist when I got my last degree in the 1980’s, so I also understand the need for education to include skills such as basic problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and adaptability.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will always have open communications will all parents, administrators, educators, and tax payers and transparently share my opinions and decisions. I will above all else, work as hard as possible to ensure that our educational system and students have whatever they need to be successful.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have worked as an engineer for 40+ years in aerospace, supporting complex mechanical and electronic systems for various applications ranging from commercial aircraft engines to cooling systems for fighter jets. I have been a project engineer/manager since 1990 developing, tracking, executing schedules and budgets for product development; on the order of personally being responsible for $2M-$10M yearly.

A big part of my job is also people related-- leading multiple technical development teams and being the main point of contact for my programs inside the company as well as outside with customers and suppliers (both angry and happy ones).

A large part of my job listening to all stakeholders in all directions around me, whether they be the design team experts, company management, my direct employees, customers, or suppliers, then using the information to make decisions, drive changes or improvements, or drive the need to ask more questions. The basic operating strategy of continuous improvement is a part of the technical and manufacturing environment I work in every day, to drive efficiency, cost reductions, higher quality products, and customer or employee satisfaction, and is I believe it is directly applicable to being and effective BOE member.

I have participated on several engineering and/or STEM advisory boards including the University of Hartford and the Connecticut state community college system since 1990 and I have found my efforts here to be very rewarding experiences. I have directly supported items such as development and implementation of new advanced engineering degree curriculum, providing industry recommendations for updates to curriculum, and auditing courses and/or degree programs. This has included directly interacting with individual students or classes to provide students with perspectives from industry, looking for their feedback on courses, or their perspectives on industry.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Simply stated, “Get out and Vote”. I was requested by a family friend to register to vote on my 18th birthday and participate in a mayoral primary. I did so and went to the polls with my mom and dad. The candidate we voted for won by 3 votes. This taught me an indelible lesson that every vote does matter and you need to vote to have YOUR voice heard in every election at all levels including village/borough, municipal, state, and federal.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I truly enjoy living in Milford and want to do my part to keep it a great place to live and/or work. Providing my strong support to our school district is a way to ensure the students of today will mature into the future citizens of Milford and hopefully feel the same way I do.

Does your campaign have a website?

milforddems.com.