Coventry Town Council  2023-2025

Lisa Thomas
Chair of the Coventry Town Council
Ex-officio Member of the Finance Committee and the Steering Committee
lthomas@coventry-ct.gov

Lisa Thomas is the Chairwoman of the Coventry Town Council and is proud of the respectful collaboration among Town Council members that has resulted in making Coventry the envy of our neighbors. She is especially excited about developing a master plan for Miller Richardson Park that can be implemented in phases while working towards a true multi-generational community space.  To that end, Lisa brought $1,000,000,000 to Coventry through a STEEP grant and Bond Commission funds that were used to build a second youth softball field and to improve pedestrian safety at Miller Richardson Park.

Lisa serves ex-officio on the Steering and Finance sub committees.  Her responsibilities also include chairing Coventry’s Local Emergency Coordinating Committee, as well as serving on the Capitol Region Council of Governments Executive Board, Policy Board, and Legislative Committee.  Lisa serves on three statewide councils: the CT Grown for CT Kids Advisory Committee, the Reading Leadership Implementation Council, and the Naturopathic Physicians Board of Examiners.

Lisa and her husband Eric have lived in Coventry since 1988. The Coventry Public Schools played a critical role in the ongoing success of their two adult daughters, one of whom now works in healthcare and the other in strategic communications. Lisa retired from a 37 year teaching career in special education and was named teacher of the year for Clover Street School in Windsor, CT in 2020. During her teaching years, Lisa brought several programs to Coventry including the Future Problem Solving Program for which she was the first coach, and the Data Detectives partnership between the Windsor and Coventry School Districts. In addition she coached the Coventry High School C.L.E.A.N. Team which was responsible for the creation of the Coventry Lake Advisory and Monitoring Committee.  Lisa continues to support students and education colleagues by substitute teaching in local schools.

Marty Milkovic 
Vice-Chair of the Coventry Town Council
Member of the Finance Committee
mmilkovic@coventry-ct.gov

In my second two-year term as Vice-Chair of the Coventry Town Council, our Democratic team has had many successes including bi-partisan budgets and goals. We have brought in over over $57 million in grants for HVAC updates to the High School, softball and baseball fields as well as other recreational facilities, road & bridge improvements and much more, These grants have saved Coventry taxpayes millions of dollar. I support sound fiscal responsibility, maintaining the rural character of Coventry, increasing the business tax base, road, and infrastructure improvements, and maintaining high-quality schools.

My wife Beth Bauer and I are twenty-year residents of Coventry. I have served as the Coventry Town Meeting Moderator for ten years under both Republican and Democratic Town Councils. Our son was a member of the North Coventry Volunteer Fire Department. We are deeply committed to our community

I have more than thirty years of human services and non-profit management experience and worked for thirteen years as Co-director of the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership, the HUSKY dental plan, helping others gain access to oral health care. I also have experience leading community United Ways, helping people obtain critically needed services. I was an Adjunct Faculty and a Field Instructor with the UCONN School of Social Work as well as an alumnus and women and men’s basketball fan.

Jon Hand
Secretary of the Coventry Town Council
Member of the Steering Committee
jhand@coventry-ct.gov

I'm proud to serve on the Town Council to continue to guide our town forward on its journey toward progress and prosperity, without losing its charm and rural character. A successful Town Council must be adept at managing a wide range of challenges and opportunities. I am currently serving in my 4th term on the Town Council. I chaired the Town Council Steering Committee in my first term, was a member of Steering in my 2nd term, served as Secretary of the Town Council in my 3rd term, and I'm currently serving as Chair of the Steering Committee again.

My wife Allyson and I have two daughters in Coventry schools, and education is very important to us. I am a lifelong resident of Coventry and I graduated from the Coventry Public School system where I was an active member of the CHS Concert Band and CHS Jazz Band. I was also active in Coventry Volunteer Fire Association in both firefighting and emergency medical response. I love Coventry and I am proud to give back to my hometown through volunteering to serve.

I am currently a state government analyst at the Department of Labor and have a degree in economics from UConn where I was a member of both the UConn Marching Band and the UConn Pep Band.

Robyn Gallagher
Chair of the Finance Committee
rgallagher@coventry-ct.gov

I am in my second term in office, and have seen that my background as an accountant and lawyer is well suited for confronting the continuing challenges and opportunities facing Coventry. 

My husband Sean and I moved to Coventry 10 years ago because we wanted both a small-town, close-knit community and a quality school system. We are the proud parents of two kids, both of whom started preschool at HEEC and are growing up in Coventry’s schools. My son is currently at the middle school and my daughter is at GHR.

We are very active in the community, not only am I currently serving on the Town Council but I serve as the Treasurer for the GHR PTO.  Sean is coaching his 5th season of rec soccer.  We also enjoy the plethora of town events that have become family traditions, including the Coventry Farmer’s Market, Arts on Main, and Christmas in the Village.

My degrees in accounting and law provide a unique perspective on the challenges facing town government. I practiced as an accountant and earned my CPA working with small businesses prior to law school. I am currently a litigation partner with a large Connecticut law firm.  I was recently selected by the Hartford Business Journal as one of their “40 Under 40.”  “The 40 Under 40 Awards recognize outstanding young professionals in the Greater Hartford Region that are excelling in their industries” and reflect “Leadership, Entrepreneur-ism, and Community.”

Matthew Kyer
Chair of the Steering Committee
mkyer@coventry-ct.gov

My wife Nan and I have called Coventry home for 18 years, during which time both of our children attended and graduated from Coventry Public Schools. I am proud and honored to serve my community as a member of the Town Council. I teach at Coventry Grammar School and am active in my teachers' union. In the past, I was the Director of Coventry Day Camp at Patriots Park and served on the Parks & Recreation Commission. I am a proud Eagle Scout and continue to serve as a merit badge counselor for Boy Scout Troop 65 in Coventry.