Carolan Dwyer (left) and Eric Gsell
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Eric Gsell has been dedicated to The Bridgewater community from the first time he crossed Lake Lillinonah. He immediately knew this is where he wanted to live and raise his family. After moving to Bridgewater in 2004, Eric spent 15 years working for GE Capital with a side gig bartending at The Mayflower Inn. When COVID hit he changed careers and became general manager of Del Primo restaurant in Brookfield. In 2023 Eric moved back to the corporate world with Wells Fargo Finance until they shifted operations to Charlotte. Eric currently works for a finance company based in California working in the Northeast region.
Eric is involved with the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department as Chief, Fire Fighter, EMT, Secretary, Ambulance Coordinator and most recently President. For the past 6 years he has been the Chairman of the annual Bridgewater Country Fair. Eric spent many years coaching and on the board of Shepaug little league, basketball and soccer. Both his children, Mason & Henry, and his wife Allison attended Burnham. Both of his sons are Eagle Scouts (Eric is as well). Eric’s wife Allison is born and raised in Bridgewater along with her sister and two brothers. She currently works for Region 12 at Booth Free School.
In addition to his family and professional career, Eric has dedicated his life to helping the community. Eric sees himself as a servant leader equipped to lead Bridgewater with a responsibility to all residents. In everything he does he leads by example and sets clear expectations in order to follow through on them. Eric has based his family, career(s), BVFD and life in general on these principles.
Carolan Dwyer has been a dedicated leader in the Bridgewater community for over 20 years.
As Co-chair of the Save Our Schools PAC for 13 years, founder of the ACE aftercare enrichment program at The Burnham School, and a key voice on the Region 12 Elementary Advisory Committee, Carolan has consistently worked to strengthen Bridgewater’s role in our region.
She created the tuition-in program at The Burnham School—now adopted region-wide—which brings in revenue back to our community each year. Known as a coalition-builder who works across town lines to get things done, Carolan has volunteered broadly. She’s served as a multi-term PTO President, President of the Friends of the Library, a Justice of the Peace, and even a Tractor Parade judge.
Professionally, Carolan is a consultant specializing in marketing, events, and strategic planning for nonprofits—including work with the ASAP! arts organization and the Town of Bridgewater itself. She holds both a BA in Government and an MBA in Strategy, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship from Georgetown University.
Carolan and her husband Patrick have lived in Bridgewater since 2003, raising their two daughters—Frances and Deirdre—who are graduates of The Burnham School.