Hi. My name is Carlton Chin and I would like to formally announce my candidacy for the Haddonfield Board of Education. I am a seven year resident of Haddonfield and my wife and I have a daughter at the Middle School. I would like to be your voice -- and contribute my skill set -- to help make open-minded and informed decisions for the better good of our children, our schools, and our community. Below are some notes about my motivations and background.
What makes me tick...
Born and raised in Brooklyn, I have a deep appreciation for others. In particular, I was lucky to find teachers and mentors who motivated and inspired me. I was one of the first students in my area to attend MIT and have had a good career in finance. However, without the help and mentoring of others, I would not have excelled. This is one of the reasons why I have always had a strong desire to give back to the community. And why I believe that education is important.
Community Service and Volunteerism
My family and I have always been strong proponents of volunteerism. I have been involved with community service since I tutored others in public school. The results of that tutoring -- seeing the increased confidence of other students (as some doubled their test scores!) -- has been a lifelong memory. Since that time, I have been involved with the MIT Educational Council (I am now Regional Chair) -- and other mentoring roles for over 25 years. Ever since we moved into Haddonfield, my wife and I have been involved as class parents, and organized fundraisers. I currently serve on the Principal's Advisory Committee at the Haddonfield Middle School.
My wife, Rose, has worked with education non-profits and is currently the head of finance for a health care non-profit. As parents, one of the things that makes us happiest about our daughter, Julia, is her empathy for others -- and her enthusiasm for community service.
Background and how I can help
Happily, we have great schools -- and our budget numbers have very reasonable comparables (more on this in an upcoming blog post). However, with cost of living increases, inflation, and increased enrollment in our public schools, our budget is stretched thin. None of us want taxes to grow at the combined rate of these increases -- not to mention expanding needs. We cannot "stand still" -- and I believe that my skills can be useful for the Board of Education and community as we plan for the future.
I hold both undergraduate (SB) and graduate degrees (SM) from MIT in engineering, with concentrations in economics and business. My research and analysis on topics ranging from finance to sports -- is used by institutional investors and sports organizations -- and has been featured in the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, and industry publications. In a nutshell, I have a strong analytical background and can be useful for our BoE. As a businessman (in fund management and quantitative research) since 1996, I run a tight ship while planning for the future -- so I understand value and making the most of revenues.
With careful planning and analysis, we can collectively make good decisions for our children and our community -- and continue "Growing in Excellence." Please feel free to contact me with questions and/or input.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Carlton Chin, CFA
Moore Lane, Haddonfield
I hope you will visit my links for more details about my background, experience, and interests. Below are additional highlights.
http://vote4chin.com/
http://haddon.patch.com/blogs/the-chin-says
https://www.facebook.com/Chin4Education
Goals
- Value for education and tax dollars.
- Informed and fiscally responsible decisions while planning for the future.
- Open collaboration.
- I have no agenda, conflicts of interest, or affiliations -- besides wanting to do the best for our children, our schools, and our community.
- "Leave everything a little better than you found it..."
Service
- Proponent of volunteerism since public school days.
- Involved with schools as class parent, fundraising, and volunteer / organizer.
- Member of Haddonfield Middle School Principal's Advisory Committee.
- Regional Chair, MIT Educational Council.- Mentor and collaborator with colleges and universities such as the College of NJ, University of Chicago, MIT, and Princeton University.
- Work with and advise non-profits; established a scholarship fund and a non-profit to support the arts and other good causes.
Professional & Education
- 25-year career in finance, investments, quantitative research. Practical experience as an engineer and actuary.
- Research and analysis quoted and featured in New York Times and Wall St. Journal.
- Have run my own business since 1996; I run a tight ship -- so I understand value and making the most of revenues.
- Undergraduate and graduate degrees from MIT - Engineering, with concentrations in Economics and Business.
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
