Occupation: I am retired after working 40 years for Union Carbide. I started as a design engineer and retired as a vice president/general manager. I worked in Brazil for two years for Union Carbide as director of technology. When I came back from Brazil, I switched from engineering to marketing. I have a bachelor of science and master of science in chemical engineering from Purdue University.

How Long in Newtown: We have lived in Newtown since December 1980. We moved here when my job changed from New York City to Danbury. We previously lived in New Providence, N.J.

Biggest Change Seen in Town: The effects of having so many more people – more traffic, more and larger houses, and a much busier downtown. However, if you look closely, you will notice the trees are much larger and provide more shade.

Family: My terrific wife, Betty, and I have been married for 42 years. My oldest daughter, Joy, 40, is a meeting planner for Dow Chemical in Danbury. My second daughter, Julie, 39, and her husband, Dave, live in Horsham, Penn. They are both chemical engineers. He works for a chemical company. She has retired and is concentrating on their two children, Sarah and Jason. My third daughter, Amy, 32, and her husband, Darren, live in New Milford. They own and operate two restaurants, Darwoods and Elizabeth’s. They have one daughter, Elizabeth, and are expecting another child momentarily.

Pets: We have an old and faithful dog, Moki, a Hungarian sheep dog.

Hobbies: Golf, reading, and attending the theater. I am a member at Heritage Village Country Club in Southbury and the Vineyards Country Club in Naples, Fla. I love to fish but have never found the time in Connecticut, even after I retired and took up golf three days a week. We are longtime members of Long Wharf Theater in New Haven and go to New York several times a year to attend the theater.

Favorite Books and Authors: I am a big fan of mystery novels and firmly believe that John Dickinson Carr is the best mystery writer ever, with Agatha Christie a close second. Of the modern writers, Dick Francis gets my vote. Tony Hillerman, John Grisham, and Daniel Boorstin are also favorites. My second area of interest is reading and studying books and articles about the effect of technology on our life. I just finished the books on the building of the Panama Canal and the Brooklyn Bridge. Those are great accomplishments by great engineers that have my admiration.

Favorite TV Show: My favorite TV show is the New York Yankees baseball games. I watch as many as I can. I also like other sports shows, such as golf. Beyond that, I am a typical male that loves to channel surf and watch nothing long enough to know what is going on. My wife has given up watching when I do. She reads instead.

Organizations: I am a longtime member of the Newtown Congregational Church, currently serving as moderator. We are in a major building program, and we need all the energy and enthusiasm we can get. I am a member of the Lions Club and am the first vice president for the upcoming year. I am also a trustee of the Newtown Historical Trust. I am a longtime member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. We also spend time and energy supporting Purdue University, especially the School of Chemical Engineering.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown: My most vivid memory of Newtown is my experience in working with the town, the Rotary Club, and Bill Denlinger to sell our old sanctuary, located by the flagpole, to the town for $1. Then the town gave the management of the building to the Newtown Historical Preservation Trust, which, led by Don Studley, turned a possible real problem into an outstanding success for Newtown. It gave me real pleasure to see all the forces come together and see something good happen.

Favorite Vacation Spot: My family, my college roommate’s family, and two other families have spent the fourth of July weekend in a state park in West Virginia for the last 25 years. There is a Robert Trent Jones golf course. That surely must be my favorite. However, if I were to just pick a spot, I would select Pebble Beach. My favorite golf course and a great place to take the family if you have lots of dollars.

Personal Philosophy: First and foremost, I am an optimist. Second and third, I am a generalist and a risk taker. I always look for the good in all things and try to get everyone to work together as a team to make things happen. I am not a fast starter but always want to finish as a winner. I have a strong faith and try to live my life following the teachings of Jesus. My family is paramount and a cornerstone of my life. If you ask my family, they would say that my philosophy is “Speed is the essential factor.” I have a framed picture of this saying that I was presented with by my daughter. I kept it on my desk for years. I must say my secretary was always suspicious that it was meant for her. In my defense, I should point out that I have a wife, three daughters, and a female dog. Somebody has to be pushing to get something done on time.

 SNAPSHOT

WITH PHOTOGRAPH

GORDON MOUNTS