Joe Hemingway

I moved to Sandy Hook with my family 25 years ago. It is where my wife Maribeth and I have raised our two daughters, Sarah and Maggie. My roots of community involvement go back to when Sarah started at Sandy Hook School. I was one of the few dads involved with the PTA, and led the charge on fundraising for and installing the school’s new playground.

Over the years, I have been an active member of the PTA and PTA Council, volunteered on the Economic Development Commission, and served three terms on the Legislative Council. I currently serve on the NewtownParent Connection Board of Directors, and am a member of Newtown’s Rotary Club.

I have always thought that there are two types of people, those who see a challenge and turn away, and those who see a challenge and roll up their sleeves to help tackle it. I have always considered myself to be in the second group, someone who is eager to step in and make a difference.

SHOP was created to help revitalize the Sandy Hook Design District, to help current merchants succeed, and to attract new businesses to the area. This is an exciting opportunity to make our community stronger, and I am excited to serve as Vice-President as we move forward to make Sandy Hook an exciting place for merchants, investors and the community for years to come. While I do not own a business or property in the design district, I bring a unique perspective to this organization. My background in town government and economic development, my professional career in construction, and my commitment to the community will be important to our organization as we move forward