Tony Capozzoli
Why PCH? Why were you interested in joining the PCH Board and working for affordable housing in Princeton? And how long have you been on the Board?
In 2018 I was asked to represent the Princeton Quaker Meeting on the PCH Board. I knew of PCH having been on the board of an afterschool program that serves the PCV community and saw the emphasis PCH places on community development and social services in addition to high-quality, affordable housing. The time, attention, and guidance that board members provide are essential to sustaining PCH and helping to keep our community inclusive and diverse. I'm glad to be a part of this effort.
What is your professional background?
I have worked in corporate finance and financial risk management since the 1990s, and currently run the derivatives strategy group for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in New York. I am also a part-time lecturer at the University of Chicago's Financial Mathematics Program.
What other volunteer activities do you participate in?
For many years I served on the board of Princeton Young Achievers (PYA) and then the Princeton Family YMCA when PYA became part of the Y. I'm very involved with Quaker organizations, especially our local Princeton Friends Meeting, and I currently serve on the Administrative Council of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. I also help promote scientific research at the University of Chicago, serving on the Dean's Council for the Physical Sciences.
How long have you been in the Princeton area and why did you come to this community?
My wife Julie and I moved to Princeton in 2001, although I had lived here in the 1980's as a college student and a "townie" for three years after college. We were attracted to Princeton by the community's engagement in culture and the arts, especially architecture. Julie chairs the town's Historic Preservation Commission, so the opportunities for involvement in architecture and preservation have been important to us.
What are your hobbies and interests?
My main hobby aside from work and volunteering is a very amateur interest in olympic weightlifting. I was introduced to "oly lifting" first through team training for a company-sponsored obstacle course fundraising event, then through the community-oriented movement and fitness classes at Princeton's local CrossFit gym. I believe that an emphasis on movement and health is important for people of all ages and abilities, and can even create a strong sense of community.