Gibson Kennedy Running for Portsmouth City Council

Gibson Kennedy, a former BAE Systems information officer who served in the National Guard, said he's running for City Council.

The election is Nov. 5. All nine seats on the council are up for grabs. A candidate must be a qualified voter and resident of Portsmouth for at least two years before the election.

Gibson B. Kennedy, the recently-retired Chief Information Officer for BAE Systems, Inc, announced his candidacy today for this fall’s Portsmouth City Council election.  Gibson, whose retirement follows 30 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, pointed to his successful record of executive leadership experience as an asset that will bring real value to the community through service on the City Council.

“Virtually all residents share my desire to deliver quality public services at a price the community can afford,” said Kennedy.  “Part of doing this is by continuing to increase our property tax base – rather than our rates - in a balanced way.

“Balancing residential and commercial development.  Balancing growth downtown with our neighborhoods.  Attracting the energy of new residents and businesspeople with those who have helped build our communities for generations.

“Achieving this balance, and keeping Portsmouth the envy of our state, will require strong leadership, the ability to listen, and experience making thoughtful, and sometimes tough, decisions.  I have the experience that matches these needs, and the newfound time to give back to this wonderful community.”

Gibson has lived in NH for 35 years. He recently retired as Chief Information Officer of BAE Systems, Inc after spending 30 years in the defense industry.

As an information technology professional, he participated in a number of public activities, including serving on then-Governor Jeanne Shaheen’s Information Technology Strategic Planning Commission (2001), and speaking engagements at both industry and Department of Defense events.

Kennedy has a BS in Communications from Boston University and an MBA from Rivier College in Nashua. In 1976 he was honorably discharged from the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

He and wife Patty have spent the past two years renovating their 150 year old home in the South End. He also has a daughter, Elizabeth, who will be entering her senior year of high school this fall.