Name: Fred Tencic           

Age: 47

Family: Wife and three kids, ages nine, seven and four

Occupation: Financial executive at a private equity firm in New York City

How long have you lived in Easton?

We have lived here for almost nine years.

What Easton community organizations are you involved with?

I am the treasurer and on the board of directors of the Easton Community Center and the Easton Learning Foundation. I am also commissioner for Easton AYSO U-5 and manager for the Easton/Redding U-9 Travel soccer team.

What do the citizens of Easton need to know about ELF?

They need to know that ELF exists to help raise money for the schools when there are shortfalls in the budget or there is a necessity for an item that cannot be fulfilled by the budget. Over the past 10 years, the ELF has raised north of $450,000 to keep our schools up to the level of excellence they need to be. It is a well-run organization. We establish a goal, execute it and get it done. In recent years we raised $60,000 to get SMART boards for every classroom in the schools.

What is on the ELF wish list?

1. Setting up the engineering lab in the high school, which is a self contained program called Project Lead The Way. Eventually we want to move that program to the middle school as well.

2. At Samuel Staples we would like to propose an outdoor classroom for science. Have the students use the resources surrounding the school to take water samples from the stream, and soil samples that they can analyze under a microscope. Build a green house to supplement the learning about our life cycle.

Why are you so passionate about getting involved in the community?

When I came to Easton, it was hard to meet people given the geography of the town. When we had kids, I started getting involved in their activities and I constantly heard people complaining about services and other issues, so I said, “If you want to fix it you need to get involved.”

Do you think Easton can survive as it is without some commercial development?

As much as I do not like it, which is why I live here, at some point if you do the math going forward Easton will need to find some source of sustainable income.

What do you enjoy most about your community service?

As a first generation American from Croatia, I can really appreciate all the America has to offer and given so I give back.

What is your favorite thing about Easton?

I love the woods, streams and the bucolic atmosphere of the town. I like the fact that when I leave New York City and commute home I can de-stress, driving up Sport Hill Road, seeing the farms, cows, horses. It’s much more comfortable living here with kids.

What is your favorite spot in Easton?

Driving up 136 and stopping at the little parking area at the reservoir. It is very peaceful.