EXECUTIVE BOARD
Delivering Results for Our Community
Jon D. Lallo, Chairman
Jon D. Lallo is a lifelong resident of the Town of Westerly. He has been a member of the Westerly Democratic Town Committee since high school, attending meetings with his father, Louis E. Lallo. Jon has served as Vice Chair of the Committee for a number of years, working with the Committee on fundraising or looking for qualified candidates to run for office.
Jon attended Westerly High School, followed by Bryant University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Villanova University earning his Masters in Tax Law. He is currently a partner at Orsinger Nardone & Lallo located in Westerly. Jon's areas of practice include Estate Planning, Tax Planning, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, and Real Estate Matters.
Jon is a Solicitor for the Westerly School Committee and has served in that position a number of years since 2000. John was recently selected as a trustee for the Horace A. Kimball and S. Ella Kimball Foundation.
Leslie Dunn, First Vice Chair
Leslie Dunn moved to Westerly at the age of 6 years old. She attended Westerly Public Schools and is a 2010 WHS graduate. From a young age Leslie has been active in the community, volunteering at events, participating in clubs/orgs, interning and working with local businesses and always returning to support local initiatives.
It is essential to do more than just talk about the issues affecting our communities; in the past few years it has become very important for Leslie to align herself with action-based initiatives and stay involved in discussions that will affect underrepresented communities and individuals. As a founding member of Westerly Anti-Racism Leslie continues to advocate for advancing the conversation around embracing diversity throughout the community.
A large part of why she does the work she does is her desire to see more diversity in the community and representation in schools, town offices, government positions and business ownership. Leslie is motivated by the hope that if the small community of Westerly can make changes there's so much more that can be done on a larger scale to effect change.
Leslie was elected to the Westerly School Committee in 2022. She is committed to seeing the district build and maintain a welcoming, supportive environment that upholds the mission to help every student reach their level of success.
Mike Niemeyer, Second Vice Chair
Michael Niemeyer is a husband, father of three and longtime resident of Westerly who is committed to ensuring that Westerly's future is bright.
His career in grants administration has been centered on public service, and he brings that same commitment to his candidacy for the Westerly Town Council. Michael holds a degree in International Relations from SUNY Geneseo.
He recently served as Secretary on the Westerly Town Council’s Advisory Charter Revision Commission, where he proposed an amendment to make it easier for voters to recall town councilors.
Michael Ober, Secretary
Michael Ober lives on Sherwood Drive in Westerly with his wife, Tammy, and his two sons, Zachary and Nathaniel. Michael has worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services for the last 30 years. He currently serves as a representative to the Department of Social Services Statewide Reopening Workgroup.
Michael earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in 2012. He was a member of the Westerly School Committee from 1998-2004 and served as Chairman of the Capital Overview Committee from 1999-2004. During Michael’s tenure on the School Committee a new Superintendent was hired, the position of Technology Director was created to improve technological platforms and applications and academic performance improved across the board. Westerly High School was renovated to a campus setting with expansion to Babcock Hall, and the Westerly Middle School was constructed.
As Chair of the Capital Overview Committee, Michael worked diligently to focus on infrastructure maintenance. Michael was a volunteer for Westerly Youth Soccer. He has served as a member of the Westerly Public Schools Policy Subcommittee and as Vice Chair of The Town of Westerly’s Board of Finance.
Michael is currently Vice Chair of the Westerly Municipal Land Trust and is experienced in natural resource management. He has a comprehensive understanding of Westerly Public Schools and budgeting processes. Michael’s recent experience in creating reopening policy documents for public organizations will also prove a valuable resource for the Westerly School Committee.
Diane Chiaradio Bowdy, Treasurer
Diane Chiaradio Bowdy is a lifelong resident of Westerly and hold a Master's Degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has two children, a son and a daughter, who both graduated from Westerly High School. For over 25 years, Diane has been very active in serving our community's youth athletic programs as a member of Westerly National Little League, Westerly Pee Wee Football, and Westerly Youth Basketball League. She has been employed at Electric Boat in Groton for 20 years, currently as a Specialist Program Representative. Prior to EB, Diane spent 14 years in various positions at the former Analysis & Technology, Inc. in North Stonington, CT.
The combination of Diane's education, career experience and dedication to the development of our youth has ensured a positive contribution to the Westerly School Committee over the past 8 years. During this time, she served as the Chairperson of the School Committee for 3.5 years, and continues to serve as the Chairperson of the Health and Wellness Subcommittee of the School Committee. This subcommittee addresses, in general, student physical, emotional and mental health issues and makes recommendations to the School Committee and Administration on ways to ensure student success.
Diane's most pressing objective is improvement of Westerly Public Schools facilities. This will encompass buildings, grounds and fields, and will require strategic investment of operating, capital and bond funds. In order to ensure success we have to bring together not only the Town Council and School Committee, but also all other community stakeholders with one objective—providing facilities that will foster student achievement for years to come while also being responsible custodians of our community’s budgetary resources.
Diane has served the community well and supported all stakeholders of Westerly Public Schools. She looks forward to working with her teammates in continuing to serve our district and our community.
