VOTE411 Voter Guide

I served as a Burlington City Councilmember from 2020 to early 2025 and was elected by my peers to serve as Mayor Pro-Tem in 2024. Prior to that, I was a Burlington Planning Commissioner and a longtime member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. During my time on council, I served on a wide range of committees including Audit & Finance, Public Safety, Public Works, Homeless Transition, Lodging Tax, Cemetery Board, Historical Preservation, and Land Use. I also served as the city liaison to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Throughout my public service, I’ve focused on collaboration, communication, and delivering tangible improvements for residents—from safety-focused infrastructure upgrades and quarterly newsletters to expanded park amenities.

I’m running because the Port of Skagit needs fresh, forward-looking leadership—someone who understands how local government works, knows how to manage public resources responsibly, and has the energy and long-term commitment to serve. I’ve spent years helping build this community—literally as a general contractor, and civically as a councilmember. I want to see the Port thrive as a driver of economic opportunity, innovation, and quality of life for the entire region.

Fiscal Responsibility: Ensuring that port assets are managed efficiently and transparently, with public benefit at the center of every investment.

Economic Growth and Business Support: The port should actively support local industry, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, and help attract high-quality jobs to Skagit County.

Connectivity and Regional Collaboration: The port must work more closely with local cities and counties to align land use, infrastructure, and economic development strategies across the region.

District 2 should be a leader in maintaining a balance between growth and environmental stewardship. That means preserving green spaces, expanding access to trails and outdoor recreation, and making sure that development follows common-sense environmental regulations. As someone who’s helped shape public spaces through my work on the Burlington Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and City Council, I know how important it is to protect the natural character of our region while planning for the future. The Port can and should support projects that enhance quality of life without compromising our environmental health.

The impacts of climate change are already being felt—from sea-level rise to shifting weather patterns and increased flood risk. The Port must be proactive in planning for these challenges by investing in resilient infrastructure, supporting clean energy transitions, and integrating sustainability into every aspect of operations. Climate adaptation isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s an economic one. The long-term health of our port, and the industries it supports, depends on how well we prepare now.

Port of Skagit Commissioner, District 2 November 2024 - present

I was honored to be appointed in November by my fellow Commissioners to fill the vacancy left by the untimely passing of my predecessor. I believe in the Port of Skagit’s role as a driver of good jobs, business opportunities, and smart growth. The Port needs leadership that is experienced in major capital projects and long-term planning. I spent nearly 30 years as a civil engineer and business owner. My considerable experience with public works projects and long-term capital planning are useful skills for a Port Commissioner. In the last 8 months, I have seen the ins and outs of the Port - the growth it generates for this economy, and the jobs it creates for Skagit County. From supporting local farms through the Genuine Skagit Valley label, to expanding rural broadband, and redeveloping the SWIFT Center in Sedro-Woolley, the Port is building a stronger future for all of us. I plan to continue supporting these initiatives and the Port’s mission of economic development for Skagit County.

The first major issue facing the Port is aging infrastructure. Many of the Port’s facilities were built in the 1970’s and 1980’s and are showing their age. This is particularly exemplified by the south basin of the La Conner Marina which was constructed in 1970. Planning for ongoing maintenance and repair activities are a necessary part of annual budget expenses. The second major issue facing the Port is balancing available funding with project priorities. There is always more we’d like to do than there are funds available. The Port uses a financial model that predicts rates of return and projects cash flows – this model is an important tool we use to evaluate the benefits of various projects in relation to each other. The third major issue facing the Port is the future development of the SWIFT Center. The Port accepted the Northern State Hospital property with the understanding that it would be the caretaker of a very historic property and future use decisions will affect generations.

The Port has already taken a proactive role in improving the environmental health of the area. The Port permanently restricted 750 acres of high-functioning forested wetlands on its property from future development. The Port has cleaned up hazardous waste sites at the airport and SWIFT Center. The Port partnered with state agencies, the County and local tribes to remove and recycle 49 derelict vessels – for which they received the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award from the Washington Public Ports Association. I will support future efforts to improve environmental health as part of larger development projects.

The Port will need to plan for the impacts of rising sea levels when developing projects for the La Conner Marina. The Port is in the process of developing a climate action plan which will require incorporating energy efficiency measures in all Port projects.

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