Watch recordings of the Candidate Forums:

Planning Board

Select Board

School Committee

My name is Kiana Pierre-Louis, and I am running for re-election to the Select Board. I am a single mom, a lawyer, a professor, an administrator in higher education, and a small business owner. The reason I’m running remains rooted in the same values that motivated me the first time I ran but it has deepened and evolved.

I fell in love with Sharon when I moved here nearly ten years ago. I chose this town for its excellent schools and its rich diversity, and I’ve stayed because I discovered a true gem, a community surrounded by natural beauty, filled with welcoming and unique small businesses, and neighbors who genuinely care for one another.

Professionally and personally, I bring a wide range of experiences that have prepared me for this role. As a lawyer and educator, I understand policy, process, and how to facilitate respectful and productive dialogue. As an administrator and small business owner, I’ve managed budgets, led teams, solved complex problems, and worked to make systems more equitable and effective. These skills directly inform my work on the Select Board and have helped me advocate for practical, inclusive solutions for our town.

Since moving here, I’ve become deeply involved in town life volunteering with the PTO, chairing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, hosting community workshops and discussions, and ultimately being elected to the Select Board in May 2022.

My platform remains centered on Access, Inclusion, and Impact. Sharon is a beautifully diverse town, and it’s critical that our government reflects that diversity. I believe deeply in equitable representation, transparency, and inclusive decision-making. During my time on the Select Board, I’ve been proud to witness more residents stepping forward to serve on boards and committees, both new voices and longtime volunteers who continue to give so much to our town.

I remain committed to helping Sharon not only preserve its natural beauty but also grow into a town known for its vibrant, diverse small business community. A place where you can enjoy a variety of cuisines, shop local, and feel a strong sense of belonging. For this vision to be realized, we need all of us at the table.

As town leaders, we must be transparent in our decision-making, communicate clearly with the community, and proactively seek input from residents. In my time on the Select Board, we hired a Communications Director to strengthen outreach, hosted community forums, and worked to ensure greater transparency. We haven’t always gotten everything right but when we receive feedback, we listen, we learn, and we adjust.

I’m running for re-election because I believe in Sharon, and I believe in what we can accomplish together. I will continue serving this community with the same dedication, honesty, and heart that I brought to the role three years ago. Thank you for your time, your trust, and your support.

My name is Pasqualino Pannone, and my wife and I have proudly called Sharon home for over 20 years. We have three children—our twin daughters are graduating this year, one from Sharon High School and the other from Norfolk Aggie, and our son will begin his freshman year at the Aggie this fall.

I’m a registered architect with 30 years of experience and a LEED Accredited Professional, which reflects my commitment to sustainable design. I’ve taught both graduate and undergraduate design studios at the Boston Architectural College and will soon serve as co-chair of the AIA Massachusetts Government Affairs Committee.

I’ve been a member of the Sharon Planning Board for the past 14 years and previously served on the Economic Development Committee for two terms. I also co-initiated and co-chaired the Sharon Master Plan Steering Committee, collaborating with consultants, town boards and committees, and community members to develop the Imagine Sharon Master Plan.

My decision to seek a seat on the Select Board represents a natural next step and a continued commitment to helping guide Sharon’s future. My long-term involvement in town initiatives—through both progress and challenges—has prepared me well for the responsibilities ahead. I believe my collaborative approach to problem-solving, professional experience, and deep passion for planning make me well suited to serve.

I’m Sam Liao, and I’ve been a resident of Sharon for over 32 years. My two children went through the Sharon public schools, and I served for 11 years on the Sharon School Committee, and on numerous other boards and committees, including the Town’s Human Resources Board and the Transportation Advisory Board, and my one really fun committees, the organizing committee for the Town’s Father Bullock 5k Charity Race.

I have a PhD degree from MIT, an MBA from BU, and Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering from Cornell University. I’m currently an adjunct instructor at UNH, teaching Project management.

Professionally, I’m a management consultant, and I was a Project Manager at some very large companies on projects with budgets of over $40 to $50 million, which is greater than the annual $17 million budget of the Select Board. So, I would bring to the Select Board the experience of managing these very large budgets.

The reason I’m running for Select Board is that there are two newly created open positions in the transition from a three to five-member board, and running for one of the positions is a natural progression of my service.

There are three things I would focus on: First, Affordability of living in Sharon and Fiscal Responsibility; second, the Environment, including preserving our Lake and our woodlands; and third, encouraging more Citizen Participation in our Town Government.

I’d like to draw an analogy to one of my personal endeavors, and that is running in long distance races. Over the years, I’ve run in 20 marathons all over the world, even in an ultra-marathon of 55 miles in South Africa. Just this morning [Sunday May 5, 2025], I ran in Emma’s Run, which is a 5-mile race around Lake Massapoag. And my next race will be the Father Bullock 5K in June which starts in front of the Cottage Street School. I would like to invite any of those who are runners to join me in this my next race, and we have an event for kids and walkers too.

Similarly, I have a record of long run service to the town of Sharon, and I am intending to continue in that service, which is why I am running for the Select Board.

My intention is not to run a short sprint. I’m here for the long run. So I’d like to ask those of you who are actual runners — and all of you who are not — to join me for the long run: my long run of service to you the citizens of Sharon, and my long run focus for the future: Affordability and Fiscal Responsibility, the Environment, and Citizen Participation, and having a big tent to include all our residents of Sharon. And so, I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday May 20. Thank you.

My name is Mena Mesiha, and I’m running for the Sharon Select Board with a deeply personal connection to our community. Having moved around quite a bit in my childhood, Sharon has become the first place in the last 40 years that I can truly call home. Having lived here for 12 years, twice as long as anywhere else in my life, I’ve experienced firsthand the nourishment that comes from finding one’s place in a community.

My wife, Mary, and I chose Sharon in 2013, drawn by its excellent schools and strong sense of community. We moved here with our three young children — who are now in 10th, 8th, and 6th grade — and over the past decade, we’ve grown deep roots in this wonderfully diverse town. Our children have flourished in Sharon’s schools, kicked soccer balls on our recreation fields, competed in travel sports, and participated in countless community activities. Mary has been an active and supportive presence in the PTOs, strengthening the vital connection between our schools and families.

My commitment to public service in Sharon has been shaped by several crucial leadership roles. As Chair of the Board of Health during COVID-19, I demonstrated thoughtful deliberation during one of our community’s most challenging times. My experience navigating complex challenges on the School Committee, professional leadership chairing our ortho department for the last five years, and role in founding impactful nonprofit organizations has reinforced my belief in the power of collaborative leadership.

I believe that local governance isn’t about competing interests but about finding common ground. When we move beyond “us versus them” thinking, we unlock our collective potential to create positive change that serves everyone. This collaborative spirit is exactly what Sharon needs as we face important decisions about our future.

A vote for me is a vote for Bringing Sharon Together! I’m committed to fostering dialogue across different community groups, ensuring that all voices are heard, and working collaboratively to build an even stronger Sharon. I would be honored to earn your vote on May 20.

I’m Jonathan Rollock, I live in Sharon with my wife, Erica, who is a social worker, and my soon to be five-year-old son, Mason. I went to Brandeis University, where I got my degrees in both Education and American Studies while maintaining my status as an NCAA fencer, which has remained surprisingly relevant to me in my career.

I began as a special educator in an autism-specific residential school in 2012 and earned my Master’s in Special Education in 2016. Since then, I’ve been teaching US History and Literature, World History and Literature, Rhetorical Analysis, and Literary Analysis to groups with moderate needs. I spend my “spare time” in school running a video game club and being the founder and head coach of our varsity fencing program. In short, I don’t just work in a school, I am part of a school.

There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” and that’s entirely true. For a community to succeed, we need the whole community to find success. It’s easy to see success in academics; someone gets an A and that’s great. But school is so much more than that.

Schools are about exploring the world. That might be through math or history, but it can be through photography or foreign language. It could be through science, but it can also be through theater or sports. Some differentiate between “need to have” and “nice to have,” but they are so often entwined in schools. Our enrollment rates are down, our out-of-district placements are up, special education compliance is questionable, our extracurriculars are in flux, and the things that make a district special are up for discussion.

I’m running for School Committee because I truly care about and have hands-on experience with the intricacies and nuances of what makes a school worth attending. I’ve spoken to parents and know that there is room for improvement, and with 13 years under my belt as an educator, I’m well equipped to see areas of growth that those outside of the system could easily miss. I’m dedicated to helping this town go far together.

Kids deserve an education that ensures high-quality learning for ALL learners. The school committee needs to provide leadership that is student-centered, data-driven, and financially responsible. As a 30-year educator, Sharon resident for a decade, and mother of two elementary-aged students, I know we need to be transparent with the public, collaborate with other town committees, and act with respect toward parents and community members.

I am running for school committee now because we need change—and because I am ready to be part of that change. I consider myself a lifelong learner who has listened to and actively participated in nearly every committee and board meeting in Sharon. I understand our town, our government, and the needs of our students.

With experience in a variety of academic environments—including public, private, and out-of-district schools—I have a clear appreciation for the value each setting offers. Still, I firmly believe that students are best served in their home district.

I hold a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology and a Grade 5–12 Principal/Vice Principal license. With 30 years of experience in education, I bring seasoned leadership, negotiation skills, and a strong working knowledge of contracts. I am an effective communicator and collaborator, and I will use these skills with transparency, inclusivity, and respect.

My name is Max Asterlin and I am running for the School Committee because I have a strong belief that Sharon Public Schools are important and critical to the success of our children and to the community of Sharon. I am invested in the Sharon Schools as my two children, 7 and 10, are just entering their time in the school system, and, as a resident of the town, I understand how important our school system is to the health of the community. I would be additive to the School Committee because I have a strong and successful professional background as an aerospace engineer and as a business consultant.  I have a mechanical engineering degree from Purdue University, a masters degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech, and a MBA from Purdue University.  After working at Pratt and Whitney designing jet engines and investigating in flight engine failures, I have spent the last 12 years, with my partners, building a successful consulting practice focused on complex strategy analysis and acquisition support. My academic and career experiences have developed many skills that are directly applicable to the School Committee like budgeting, policy development, complex negotiations, critical thinking, diplomacy, and how to work with all stakeholders to solve challenging problems. I do not have pet agendas, and I bring a professional, proactive, and collaborative approach to problem solving. This approach is needed as the town continues to try and improve our school system in the face of budgetary challenges, teacher negotiations, and a highly diverse community.  Thank you and I hope to earn your vote for School Committee.

My name is Avi Shemtov and I am asking for your vote on May 20 as I seek re-election to the Sharon School Committee. Having been elected twice previously, and having served for four years to this point, my experience dealing with school committee matters is robust.

This past term I was elected chair, unanimously, all three years. I work collaboratively with my colleagues, have strong relationships across town, and make time to meet regularly with parents and administrators alike. I have chaired our budget process, lead negotiations, worked on policy, and advocated for families working with our special education department.

I believe every student in Sharon deserves the opportunity to reach their true potential, and I hope I have the opportunity to continue working towards ensuring that they do. Thank you for your support on May 20th!

As someone running for the Planning Board, my focus is on a simple but meaningful theme: “Sharon’s Future, Built for Everyone.” It’s a message rooted in inclusion, thoughtful growth, and a respect for both the town’s history and its evolving future.