2024 is almost over! Join us all month long as we look back at 2024, a year of success. Each week we’ll look back on all the work we’ve done, the projects, the milestones, and the people we’ve connected with along the way.
Our Team is bigger and stronger than ever! In 2024 we have expanded our team, adding 13 new people to our staff. They’ve joined us from cities and towns, from every department and every discipline in our industry. We are so thankful to have our new employees share their expertise and insights with us and our clients. The service we provide to our clients and community partners comes directly from our staff. They are the foundation of everything we do, and we cannot wait to continue to share their wisdom with more and more communities as we grow.
Meet our New Team Members!
Patti Grigas, Senior Project Manager
Patti has more than 30 years of progressive experience in law enforcement, previously serving as a commander in the Framingham Police Department in Framingham, Massachusetts. Working collaboratively across the board to strategically plan public safety and officer training programs, Patti is an experienced public information officer with expertise in public safety policy, audits, action plans and evidence organization.
John DeLuca, Senior Project Manager
A seasoned professional with more than 40 years of experience in the water, wastewater, fleet management, and construction industries, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that is unmatched in the industry to serve our clients. John is the founder of Edgewater Career Training, providing hoisting license preparation courses. John has also served as the Director of Water and Sewer for the city of Somerville, Massachusetts, managing a $37 million budget, overseeing operational and capital spending.
William (Bill) Keegan, Senior Project Manager
With more than forty years of experience in municipal government, Bill is a master of strategic planning and has the leadership and management experience to tackle any issue in any community. Bill served as the Town Manager of Foxborough, Massachusetts, and prior to that tenure worked as the Town Manager of Dedham, Massachusetts. Throughout his career, Bill has been a huge promoter of training and development of workforces with a particular emphasis on building leadership skills and training the next generation of government and business leaders.
Ken Calder, Senior Project Manager
Ken’s experience in Public Works, his work ethic, and his unique set of skills make him an asset to every project and every community. Ken was previously the Deputy Director of Project Management in Weston, Massachusetts and his experience on projects like implementing automated water meters, the EPA Lead and Copper Rule inventory, and the Weston de-icing program honed his ability to jump into projects early, problem solve and communicate with invested stakeholders throughout the project.
Trish Bernard, Senior Project Manager
Trish is an expert collaborator and communicator, allowing her to jump into intricate projects, like improving internal processes and building programs from the ground up. Trish served as the Chief of Staff for Mayor Vigeant in Marlborough, Massachusetts, acting as the liaison to the city council, the public, city departments, and economic institutions in the city. Trish organized programs that enhanced government-public connections like the Municipal Government Academy.
Sarah Pawluczonek, Senior Project Manager
Sarah’s experience in public works, specifically with utility billing, accounts payable, along with government administration, makes her an expert at managing and maintaining utility and billing systems. Serving as part-time Wastewater Administrator for the Town of Wayland, Massachusetts, and previously as a utility billing consultant for Weston Department of Public Works in Weston, Massachusetts, Sarah brings a wealth of experience in managing complex utility and financial systems. At Capital Strategic Solutions, she applies her deep understanding of utility systems to enhance client services and support infrastructure projects.
Bob Fennessy, Senior Project Manager
Bob is an attorney, and former town administrator for the towns of Carver, Kingston, and Boylston, all in Massachusetts. His experience and passion for public service drives his adeptness to coordinate and multi-task. With over 20 years as a practicing attorney with concentrations in Municipal, Personnel, Labor, and Employment Law, Bob has the expertise to navigate the legal complexities of Human Resources and workplace investigations in a way that is ethical, thorough, and fair.
Mike Schrader P.E., Senior Project Manager
Mike is a professional engineer and project manager with more than 35 years of experience with public water, sewer and stormwater systems as an Engineer, Rate Consultant, and Client Service Manager. His client-centered, solution-oriented approach to utility funding stems from a deep understanding of the necessity to maintain and invest in this essential public infrastructure, as well as the potential risks that can arise if we fail to do so. This has led to a data-driven, transparent approach that both informs and is informed by officials and community advocates alike, ensuring a thorough evaluation of alternatives tailored to each community’s unique needs and customer base.
Mary Ellen Kelley, Senior Project Manager
Mary Ellen Kelley brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for governance to Capital Strategic Solutions. As the former Chief Financial Officer for the City of Framingham, Massachusetts, she played a key role in managing its transition from a town to a city, overseeing a $450 million budget and securing grants. She has also held key roles in state government, including with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Senate Ways and Means Committee, enhancing her expertise in governmental financial strategies. Mary Ellen holds an MBA, several certificates in government finance, and is an active member of prominent financial associations.
Joe Comperchio, Senior Project Manager
Joe is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 30 years of experience in administration, compliance, and public safety policy. As a former Police Captain in Weymouth, Massachusetts, Joe has held various leadership roles, including police academy instructor and consultant for statewide bodies. His expertise in accreditation and assessment, honed during his time at the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission, showcases his meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of policy. His work in public safety extends to capital management, grant acquisition, and public relations and is dedicated to fostering trust and transparency.
Sara Pragluski Walsh, Senior Project Manager
Sara’s background in education makes her very skilled in curriculum development, growth planning, and needs analysis. Whether it’s working in public schools or at the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (MA DFS), Sara is responsive, thoughtful, and precise in her planning and program management. Sara previously served in the Springfield, Massachusetts public school district, where she began her career as an educator and quickly became a principal. As principal, Sara oversaw larger efforts to improve the district’s struggling high school. Sara managed the state-level School Turn Around Project to its successful completion.
Liz Kalaijian, Project Manager
Liz is an experienced media and public relations expert with a strong background in managing communications for both public and private sectors. At John Guilfoil Public Relations she managed crisis communications for more than 125 police, fire, municipal and school clients. During her time in television news, Liz served as an assignment editor at WBZ-TV CBS News Boston and WFXT-TV Boston 25 News, where she cultivated key contacts, dispatched reporter and photographer crews and lead daily news story coordination. Liz excels in fast-paced, high-stakes environments, crafting press releases, coordinating media strategies, and facilitating public relations initiatives.
Heather Lemieux, Senior Project Manager
With more than 17 years of experience in municipal administration, Heather brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning, budget management, and community engagement. Heather previously served as the Town Manager for Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and Barre, Massachusetts, where she demonstrated expertise in financial management, policy development and collaborative leadership. She also successfully managed multi-million-dollar budgets, secured significant funding through grants and led critical infrastructure projects aimed at improving public safety and community services.
This year our team has experienced growth like never before. We are so grateful to every one of our team members, their experience and insights are what make this company successful. In 2025 we look forward to continuing to share their skills with more and more communities and giving them the support and opportunity to flourish.
