At its December 12 meeting, the Weston Republican Town Committee added four new members:

Maria Risso Rowbotham believes that giving back and helping those around her is a key element of a well-lived life, and it shows: Maria is currently the president of the Weston Intermediate School PTO and the co-chair of Main Street Weston. Recently, Maria has served as the president of the Hurlbutt PTO, co-president of the Weston Women’s League as well as the chair of that organization’s Spring Fundraiser. Maria received her B.A. from the University of Colorado at Boulder and her Professional Designation A.A. from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing in San Francisco. Maria founded Style by Risso in 2010 and in this role she styles clients for events, conferences, travel, brand content, media and life. Maria and her husband, Ben, have lived in Weston for ten years and are raising two boys, age 9 and 11.

Debbie DeLong is an adjunct professor of political science with Western Connecticut State University where she provides insights to students in the areas of Introduction to American Government and Introduction to World Politics. Over her varied career, Debbie has served as the vice president of Pear Strategies in Long Beach, California and as the Director of Outreach for Congressman Tom Price and as the Political Director for his campaign. Debbie received her B.A. from the College of Charleston and her MA from George Mason University. A Weston native by any standard, Debbie has served in many leadership positions in Weston including as the Weston Middle School PTO Fundraising Chair, the Weston Intermediate School PTO President and Secretary, the Weston Field Club Board of Governors, the Norfield Congregational Church Christian Education Board as well as the Junior Leagues of Atlanta and Washington.

Joe Leone is an attorney specializing in commercial and residential real estate transactions. Prior to launching his own practice, Joe spent numerous years handling real estate deals at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Joe was elected to the Planning and Zoning Commission in November. His expertise in navigating complex legal and business issues affecting various property types will make him a valuable contributor to the board’s work as well as his new role as a member of the RTC. Joe has lived in Weston for seven years and has three children in the Weston school system. He holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Joe is a member of the State Bars of Connecticut and New York.

Rone Baldwin has served on Weston’s Board of Finance since 2017 and is currently the Vice Chairman. Rone is a retired business executive who held senior roles in a broad range of domestic and global health and life insurance businesses. He has lived in Weston for 30 years, where he and his wife Carol raised their two grown daughters. Rone is on the Board of Waveny Lifecare Network, is a member of Kiwanis, and previously served as Treasurer for Norfield Church. Rone received his B.A. in Physics from Amherst College and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

RTC Chairman Stephan Grozinger said he is very happy to welcome the new members. “With the addition of Maria, Debbie, Joe, and Rone, the RTC has come up to its full strength of twenty-five members for the first time in several years. Each of our new members has brought extraordinary talent, experience and energy to public service already. We are very fortunate to bring them on board at this critical time to help guide the RTC’s vision for the future, and to formulate and execute thoughtful, balanced positions to address the challenges and opportunities facing Weston.”