Holly Beum

Planning Commission

Why I serve? Simsbury is fortunate to have many places of natural and historic beauty. I seek to insure that we maintain and protect what we treasure while planning for sustainable and resilient growth. My specific passions are historical preservation and expanding Simsbury’s affordable housing options.

Past or present Boards/Commissions/Volunteer work: Planning Commissioner since 2015, Simsbury Economic Development Task Force 2013-15

Employment History: Founder of Interface Technologies, a software development company that specializes in automation and robotic research and development since 2009. Formerly Director of Software Product Management for Gerber Technologies

Education: Bachelors of Science in Physics from Kenyon College; Graduate work In Physics at Indiana University; Executive Program at Harvard Business School

Why I love Simsbury: Simsbury offered us a beautiful place to raise our family with good schools, good neighbors and beautiful surroundings. I was thrilled to return to Connecticut in 2000 after 14 year absence from the Farmington Valley. Fun Fact: My husband, Gert Hilhorst, is Simsbury’s town-wide chess coach. He guides the Library Chess from grade 2 to 6 and coaches both Henry James and Simsbury High School to several state championships. Our son, Eric Hilhorst, was the Scholastic Chess State Champion in 2015.