Position/philosophy statement
My focus is delivering common-sense solutions as efficiently as possible to keep the tax rate low while ensuring access to opportunity, public safety, excellent infrastructure, and a great quality of life for residents.
Current Occupation
17 years as a public interest attorney; 5 years as an At Large Commissioner
Age (optional)
53
Campaign Youtube URL
My first job out of law school was as a government lawyer. As a 25-year-old, I raised my hand and pledged to serve the people. That formative experience became my lodestar—it guided every step of my 17-year career as a public interest attorney fighting for children and families. It is why I first ran for office in 2018 and it continues to drive my public service to this day. When government systems fail people, my background allows me to provide high-quality one-on-one constituent services, cutting through bureaucracy to get results. Whether overseeing a $2.5 billion budget or advocating in boardrooms and state offices for policies that serve residents’ well-being, I am driven by the oath I took as a young attorney which inspires me daily.
My focus is delivering common-sense solutions as efficiently as possible to keep the tax rate low while ensuring access to opportunity, public safety, excellent infrastructure, and a great quality of life for residents.
My top issue is raising household incomes in neighborhoods that haven’t shared in our region's economic success. We have a critical opportunity ahead. Mecklenburg County is receiving $24 billion in transit investment. How do we ensure these opportunities reach the residents who need them most? We need concrete action now to ensure residents with the least access fully reap the benefits of the economic opportunities coming.
I am committed to the health and flourishing of public schools and I am proud that the County has fully funded CMS' request for the last three consecutive years. That was achieved via a high-functioning collaboration between the County Manager and the CMS Superintendent and our respective Board Chairs all of whom I salute. That must always continue. Together we must present a united front to the General Assembly and demand that it meet its financial obligation to public schools. As much as we all want to, County taxpayers cannot fill the enormous funding hole caused by Raleigh's failure to fund education by hundreds of millions of dollars -- on a yearly basis.
Since November 2024, we recruited 4,100 new jobs to Mecklenburg County with an average salary of $111,000. This is incredible economic opportunity I fought to bring to our residents. Equally important, I will continue to support excellent infrastructure such as strong public schools, a modern transit system which truly moves people, and expansion of parks and greenways - as just a few examples. These infrastructure investments are critical to creating a flourishing economy.
We have charged the new County Manager with increasing metrics to evaluate County programs with a scorecard. It is not enough for a program or investment to have a laudable goal. It must have demonstrable impact which moves the needle to improve outcomes. Especially around social services and with a new leadership in place, I think the time has come to perform a deep- dive review of the County's social services policies and programs to ensure we are maximizing the good for residents with limited County dollarsfor these needs.
My work as an attorney for seniors and adults with disabilities brought me into nursing facilities across Mecklenburg County.
Later, as a staff attorney at the Council for Children’s Rights, I visited homes and schools in every corner of our community. What I saw troubled me deeply: families struggling to make ends meet, unable to access pathways to upward mobility, endangered by unsafe conditions, and facing barriers to basic health, housing, and food security.
Mecklenburg County Government’s chief responsibility is health and human services. I ran for office because I had seen these needs firsthand -- affecting everyone from infants to the elderly -- and I wanted to do everything in my power to make the system work better for people.
It’s my honor to serve residents both on major policy issues and one-on-one through direct constituent services, daily helping people navigate systems of local government. This work is why I’m here, and I approach it with urgency every single day.
Position/philosophy statement
Leadership begins with listening and is proven by results.
Current Occupation
RETIRED, Senior Vice President, McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY
Age (optional)
77
Campaign Phone
980-272-0410
I bring a lifetime of service, leadership, and real-world experience to this role. I am a retired Lieutenant Colonel(USAR) and Vietnam Veteran, retired Senior Vice President at McGraw-Hill Education, former Chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, former Chair of the Black Political Caucus, and current Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Mecklenburg County Commission. I have overseen large budgets and complex systems. Growing up in segregated Charlotte and being displaced by urban renewal shaped my commitment to equity, accountability, and fairness. I understand how policy affects daily lives and bring disciplined, collaborative leadership focused on measurable results.
The pressing issue facing Mecklenburg County is a shrinking middle class, a widening gap affecting housing stability, health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic opportunity. Rising housing costs, persistent poverty, workforce shortages, development of local expertise, and unmet health needs strain families and public systems. The Commission must use every tool available to ensure responsible growth while protecting vulnerable residents by investing in affordable housing, strengthening child welfare and health services, aligning education with college and career readiness, and using public dollars more effectively. How we address these connected challenges will determine whether opportunity remains accessible to residents.
Although the County does not operate schools, we play a critical role in supporting student success. Our current Mecklenburg County Commission Budget Priority states, "Education: Promote healthy early childhood development and education from ages birth to five while aligning investments to improve college and career readiness outcomes for all students." I support targeted investments consistent with our Board priority focused on college and career readiness as required by the NC Supreme Court in Leandro. I support funding and investments in early childhood development with the express goal of having children demonstrate kindergarten readiness upon entry into the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system.
I successfully proposed changes to the County’s Business Investment Program (BIP) Grant Agreement to intentionally prioritize, to the extent possible, the hiring of Mecklenburg County residents. I continue to advocate making local hiring a firm requirement of BIP grants. From the beginning, my focus has been upward mobility and workforce development. While Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte have been successful in attracting new businesses, local residents have too often been left unprepared to access living-wage jobs. To address this gap, I supported the County hiring an assistant county manager dedicated to aligning workforce training and living wage opportunities with local talent.
I will continue advocating for strong frontline staffing, improved coordination across departments, and greater transparency in service delivery. I support using data to measure outcomes, not just spending, and strengthening partnerships with community-based and faith-based organizations. As Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, I am proud that for the first time in county history, Mecklenburg County will publish a Health Impact Scorecard in March 2026, so residents can see clearly and transparently how well our health investments are improving outcomes. These efforts expand access, improve quality, and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
My life journey- From growing up in segregated Charlotte to serving in the military, working in corporate America, longtime public servant and now as a County Commissioner, I have learned the value of listening, accountability, and showing up authentically for the community we serve. I believe government must be accessible, fiscally responsible, and focused on improving real outcomes. My goal is to help build a Mecklenburg County where opportunity is not determined by race, income, or zip code, but where every resident has the chance to succeed and thrive.
Position/philosophy statement
I am a servant-leader with empathy as a super-power. It is my goal to serve the community of Mecklenburg County with my Es, Empathy; Excellence; Experience; and Equity!
Current Occupation
Small Business Consultant and non-profit advisor
Age (optional)
55
Campaign Phone
7045762645
I've discovered during this election cycle that there are several things that separate me from my newest opponents. I call myself the candidate/elected official with Empathy as a superpower. I have the unique ability to address concerns of the community and affect policy based on my lived experiences as well as my education and business acumen. I don't know of many elected officials that have the experience of standing in line at Crisis Assistance Ministry; asking for help to pay a mortgage, or waiting for weeks to get a check from the broken unemployment system. There is a reason why I am so passionate about so many issues. It's because I am humbled and blessed to have lived through it.
I believe the two most important issues the countty commission will have to address during the next two years is how to pay for services to residents with a funding gap from the state that exceeds $400 million annually. Additionally, the two most critical services will be housing security and food security.
The most effective role the BOCC can play in improving local schools is understanding unique funding needs and ensuring those needs are distributed equitably and partnering to provide vital wrap around services to families, like food security, housing and mental health services for wellness.
I will propose policies that align with the BOCC's identified priorities, guided by my lived experiences, business experience, education, and community input.
That question is too large to answer in 750 characters. It is, in fact, the very essence of what a county commissioner does on a daily basis. I will always propose policies that most equitably distribute precious resources to our most vulnerable communities so that they can achieve upward mobility.
It has been my pleasure to serve Mecklenburg County in various ways since I moved here from WV almost 30 years ago. It was my pleasure and honor to serve as an at-large commissioner during the past year and I ask for your support and vote to serve another term on the BOCC.
