Your 2023 Elected Bristol Officials

Mayor Jeff Caggiano - MayorsOffice@bristolct.gov

Jeff Caggiano was elected Bristol’s mayor in 2021. He has 32 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. During his career, he served as both a director and ‘change agent’ for leadership development.

Before becoming mayor, Jeff served for two years on the Bristol Zoning Commission and for four years on the Board of Education. Additionally, he was the Chair of the Republican Town Committee for six years and received Connecticut's Republican of the Year award in 2019.

1st Council District

Sebastian Panioto - SebastianPanioto@bristolct.gov

Sebastian Panioto is currently serving as one of two Bristol District 1 City Councilors.  After graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2005 with a degree in Communications, Sebastian began his career at ESPN. He is presently in his 19th year of service at the worldwide leader in sports as a lead production technician.

After purchasing a home in Bristol, marrying, and starting a family, Sebastian began to feel the need and desire to help in the community by volunteering!  His devotion to his family and his community was instrumental in creating his drive to learn more about what other families and households consider important in daily life.  It is this drive and desire to represent those values at a municipal level that led Sebastian to run for city council.

Erick Rosengren is a lifelong resident of Bristol who has served his community in various appointed positions. He was elected to the Board of Assessment Appeals (BOAA) and also serves as an alternate commissioner on the Housing Code Appeals Board, a member of the ESSER/ARP (Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund/ American Rescue Plan) School Building Projects Committee, the Bristol Youth Services Board, the Northeast Middle School Board, and the Board of Public Works. In addition to his board roles, Erick is a liaison to the Board of Education, the Housing Authority, and the Fair Rent Commission.

With a deep commitment to community service, Erick is now running for City Council in our 1st Council District. If elected, he would bring with him years of experience working with local boards and commissions that serve Bristol residents. As an accessible leader, he promises to be an attentive listener and work hard to ensure that every voice in the community is heard.

2nd Council District

Jacqueline Olsen - JacquelineOlsen@bristolct.gov

 Jacky, a French Canadian, has lived on an off in Bristol since the age of eight years old. She is a graduate of Bristol Central High School and also attended Tunxis Community College majoring in graphic design. She is the mother of two boys and the grandmother of four.  She has more than forty years of business experience. During her business career she quickly climbed the corporate ladder from administrator to manager to assistant vice president.

Since elected in 2021 Jacky has served on the Energy Commission, Ordinance Committee and the BAIMS (Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School) Building Committee. She currently serves on the Salary Committee, the Board of Public Works, the Board of Water Commissioners, the Board of Sewer Commissioners, the Retirement Board, the Capital Improvement and Strategic Planning Committee, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, the Commission on Aging and the Edgewood School Building Committee. With her background in community activism since 2003 she is passionate about creating positive change for her fellow citizens. She has earned the trust of the people she represents and has a strong track record of success in advocating for local issues.  These together with her commitment to public service, her expertise in policy making and advocacy make her uniquely qualified and an ideal candidate for re-election to represent Bristol’s City Council District 2.

Susan Tyler - SusanTyler@bristolct.gov

Sue Tyler is married to her husband and business partner, Bill. They have three adult children, and keeping them company in their Chippens Hill home is their Golden Retriever, Madison. Sue is the broker owner of a Bristol based real estate company, and spent her entire adult life in public service including twenty-seven years in law enforcement.

Throughout her first term, City Councilwoman Sue Tyler worked diligently to resolve constituent complaints, created fair and respectful ordinances (Chair of the Ordinance Committee), wholeheartedly supported the Bristol Police Department (Police Commissioner), and negotiated real estate transactions that benefit the City (Chair of the Real Estate Committee). In her second term she became the Chairwoman of the Code Enforcement Committee, the Liaison to the Commission on Aging, and continues to work to improve our neighborhoods and the overall marketability of the City of Bristol.

3rd Council District

Cheryl Thibeault - CherylThibeault@bristolct.gov

When elected, Cheryl promised to be a voice for all Bristol residents and has she delivered!  Accepting the role as deputy mayor, she worked closely with Mayor Jeff Caggiano to continue economic expansion and vibrancy downtown.  This is evident in the 2022 ground breaking of the new Wheeler Clinic and the recent Carrier project that will bring modern apartments and retail to the downtown parcel.  Cheryl also has a proven track record of helping Bristol residents find answers to questions and solutions to issues they face.

Her city tenure includes over 13 years on the Bristol Board of Finance, serving as the first woman chair.  She has also served on the 10 Year Capital Committee, Public Works Board, City Arts & Culture Commission, Ordinance Committee, Salary Committee, Real Estate Committee, Transportation Committee,  Fire Building No 4 Building Committee, Greene-Hills Building Committee, Retirement Board, Task Force on Energy,  Board of Police Commissioners, Memorial Boulevard Task Force and the Mayor’s TEAM (Together Everyone Achieve More) Committee.

Cheryl has donated many other hours of volunteer service to organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Wheeler YMCA, Girl Scouts, Greene-Hills School PTA, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) , and serves as a Youth Leader, Food Pantry Volunteer. She is an active member of the Forestville Village Association and OM/Keystone (Older Members/Keystone) Association.

Cheryl has her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Maine.  She and her husband Wayne live in Forestville where they raised two wonderful children.  Cheryl is the Director of Finance for the New Britain Housing Authority with prior experience in non-profit, renewable energy and telecommunications, and is seeking re-election to our city council as a councilor from council district 3 this November 7, 2023.

Board of Education (4-year term)

Kristen Giantonio - KristenGiantonio@bristolk12.org 

Kristen Giantonio has been a commissioner on the Bristol Boardof Education since May of 2018, via mayoral appointment. She was re-elected in 2019 and voted vice chair. She is a member of the Student Achievement and Finance Committees and served as chair of both the Policy Committee and the Communications Committee during her tenure.  Kristen is especially interested in curriculum development, special education, and ensuring the safety of all students.  She is a strong proponent of parental rights and local decision making.

Kristen is a founding board member of the Greater Bristol Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO), formed in 2011.  She also collaborated to create the statewide Connecticut SEPTO Alliance which sponsors Special Education Day at the Capitol. Kristen has served on the Connecticut Judicial Branch’s Americans with Disabilities Act Advisory Board since 2016.

Kristen is employed as Information Technology Division Program Manager at the Judicial Branch and has lived in Bristol her entire adult life.  She is the proud mother of a daughter who attends high school in Bristol and is happily married to her devoted husband of nineteen years, Joe.  Kristen enjoys spending time with her family, their rescue dog Luna, and vacationing in New Hampshire. 

Mostly, Kristen wishes to continue her advocacy work and public service by representing the Bristol community on the Board of Education if re-elected this November 7th.

Russell Anderson is a lifelong resident of Bristol and a proud husband and father of three. He is also a special needs parent who has been serving on the Board of Education since May of 2022. In addition, he is the liaison for Bristol Central High School and Stafford Elementary School.
For the past 25 years, Russell has been employed in the home improvement industry.  He thoroughly enjoys mountain biking, being outdoors, and being a dog dad to two four-legged friends.

If re-elected Russell pledges to empower parental involvement and remain focused on delivering a quality, transparent education that all taxpayers can take pride in.

Lori is running for a four-year term on the Board of Education. 
She has lived in Bristol for 38 years, employed full time as a Care Specialist for a health insurance company, and currently serves on the Bristol Republican Town Committee’s (BRTC) Budget and Finance Committee. 
Lori and her husband Rob have been married for 15 years, and have three sons ages 10, 12, and 14 who attend the Bristol Public Schools. 

For the past 14 years, it has been an honor for Lori to serve the Bristol Community through her family's Christmas light display, Lights On Rosewood, a non-profit organization bringing the community together by supporting one another in need. 

As a parent and Bristol resident, Lori believes it is her obligation and a priority to advocate for our youth and the safety and security of all students, educators, and staff in the Bristol Public School system. She values and has witnessed that a strong community, specifically the City of Bristol, can be a driving force to achieve unlimited possibilities as well as overcoming obstacles, by working together.

Board of Education (2-year term)

Jennifer Van Gorder - JenniferVanGorder@bristolk12.org

Born and raised in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, Jennifer moved to Bristol in 2001, where she set her roots. Jennifer is married with three children, who attend three different schools in town. She became a real estate agent in 2007. It is a passion of hers to help people especially in navigating important purchases like homeownership.

Jennifer likes to volunteer. She spends time in the schools, delivering backpacks of groceries for kids to help alleviate weekend food insecurity, and volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul’s homeless outreach center.
She enjoys family hiking trips with their family dog and exploring Connecticut spots with her children. She looks forward to joining the Board of Education and serving the students, staff, and taxpayers of Bristol.

Board of Assessment Appeals

Mary Alford - Marylfrd@yahoo.com

Mary Alford is an active resident of Bristol. She has lived in the city for 40 years and is a proud mother of three children as well as two grandchildren. Mary’s hobbies include reading – something she greatly enjoys.

What makes Mary particularly qualified to serve on the Board of Assessment Appeals is her extensive experience in this field. She has served in this capacity for ten years, eight of them as Chair. Mary’s knowledge and dedication to her role make her a perfect choice for re-election this November 7th to this position and she would be honored to continue to serve the residents of Bristol on the Board of Assessment Appeals.

Greg Klimek - Greg.Klimek@hotmail.com

Greg Klimek is a lifelong resident of Bristol, married to his wife Barbara for 41 years, and a proud father of two daughters. In addition to his family life, he enjoys fishing as a hobby.

Although Greg is retired from Pratt & Whitney, he has served the city by volunteering on several boards for the past 32 years. Greg is now seeking to be elected this November 7th to the Board of Assessment Appeals in order to help shape the future of Bristol for generations to come. With his experience, dedication, and commitment to the city, Greg is confident that he can bring innovative ideas and solutions that will benefit all citizens of Bristol.