Occupation: I am a Certified Public Accountant and own Clavette & Company — CPAs and Advisors, which has been in Newtown since 1988.

Family: My wife is Mary. Our three adult daughters are Aimee, Natalie, and Stefanie, and we have three grandchildren, Ella, Colby, and Nico.

Pets: We currently have no pets, but enjoy our daughters’ cats, Bugsy and Zelda.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We moved to Sandy Hook from Danbury 29 years ago, but I also lived here as a child for four years.

What do you like to do in your free time? Most of my free time, which is limited, is spent volunteering for various organizations.

What is your favorite book? The Internal Revenue Code... just kidding!

What is your favorite travel destination? Our favorite travel destination would be Wells Beach, Maine, where our entire family spends a week together every year.

What is the best part about Newtown? The people. They are caring, compassionate and always friendly, which makes for a great place to live and raise a family.

What organizations are you part of in Newtown? I enjoy being an active member of the Newtown Rotary Club. I’ve been an elected member of the Newtown Zoning Board of Appeals since 2003, currently serving as the chairman. I also am a member of the Board of Directors for Newtown Savings Bank and the Connecticut Institute for Communities (CIFC) based in Danbury. CIFC is a nonprofit organization that operates a large community health center and operates the Head Start early childhood education programs in Danbury and Norwalk. I also just completed 25 years as the treasurer of the Newtown Democratic Town Committee.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? My parents, who both came from very poor backgrounds and worked very hard all their lives. But they also never hesitated to lend a hand to anyone in need.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I enjoy all music and genres, but mostly listen to classical rock, anything from Aerosmith to ZZ Top.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? “Never be afraid to make a mistake, as long as you learn from it.” I learned from one of my first bosses.

What is something you cannot live without? My wife, who is my best friend and greatest supporter.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Passing the CPA exam and watching my daughters become who they are today.

What is your favorite TV show or movie? My favorite movies are usually thrillers or adventure-themed. When I have time, I try to keep up with the NCIS and FBI series on TV now. Nature and travel shows are great to watch when I want to relax.

What is your favorite food? I love to eat and I especially like to try various ethnic foods. Some of my favorites are Cuban, Korean, Lebanese, Cajun/Creole, Brazilian, and anything Italian. I enjoy cooking and grill all year-round. Of course, seafood is high on my list, my favorite being boiled lobster. My wife and her family make great Ecuadorian dishes which we also enjoy.

If you could travel to the past or future, which would you choose and why? I think I would enjoy traveling back to the late-1950s to witness all the new post-war developments, new music emerging at the time, and the less hectic life as compared to now.