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Bob Raffo, Jr. is President & CEO of Pro2Tec. Pro2Tec, a technology services company that provides business technology consulting, managed services and software development for the small and midsized markets. Raffo has 25 years experience in designing and implementing enterprise information systems, managing successful post-acquisition integration projects, leading organizational transformation initiatives and delivering effective business intelligence solutions in industries such as publishing, information technology, healthcare sales and marketing and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Raffo is an experienced corporate executive having held executive leadership roles at Cardinal Health, BLP Group Companies and The McGraw-Hill Companies, as well as a successful entrepreneur having provided consulting services to organizations such as Siemens, Thompson Information Services, Merck, Reckitt Benkiser and others. Bob holds a BS degree from Lehigh University.
1. Why are you running for Town Board?
I have tremendous business experience especially entrepreneurial, strategic planning and executive management experience that I believe will be a valuable asset to benefit the Council and the Town of Somers.
2. Why should Republicans vote for you in the primary and how are you different from your competition?
First, without this primary there are only three candidates that would appear on all four party lines. That would mean that no one in Somers would have any choice in November. The election would essentially be void. Republicans that feel as strongly as I do about the importance of the electoral process should vote for me to ensure that there is a choice for all voters in November.
Second, I am a fiscally conservative Republican that has a real interest in developing a more effective Master Plan that balances our interest in preserving the rural character of our community with a more proactive and healthier relationship with our business community.
3. What is the biggest issue or problem in Somers right now and what would you do about it?
The single biggest problem facing Somers is the decreasing sources of revenue and the increasing costs. We have some serious infrastructure costs to deal with and our annual operating costs are increasing especially with $184,000 per year of debt service for Angle Fly. However, our focus on open space and our required commitment to additional affordable housing as part of the Angle Fly deal will continue to reduce our sources of revenue. We simply do not have a plan that provides a realistic path towards fiscal responsibility.
4. What has been your greatest accomplishment as a businessman?
Although I am proud of so many accomplishments in business, I am most proud of creating and building businesses that have provided jobs to others. Nearly 60% of jobs in America are from businesses of 25 or less employees. This means the smallest businesses provide the most jobs. I believe that the road to economic recovery starts with very small businesses the kind of businesses we need in Somers. These small businesses will create jobs, generate tax revenue and will play a critical part of our national recovery.
5. What would you like to see in Somers that is not currently part of the community?
A realistic, effective, strategic and actionable Master Plan. We have no plan for our future.
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