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Alderman have many responsibilities. They work together to set policy and approve the city budget. Aldermen are only responsible for hiring and firing one person: the city manager. Therefore, the BMA must work closely with the city manager and have a great line of communication with him/her.

The Board of Mayor and Alderman are the face of the city. They are elected to represent the city so they need to be accessible to hear concerns from community members. They need to be present to celebrate successes like grand openings and new milestones.

The BMA meets on scheduled basis (and occasionally in an emergency) in order to insure elected officials attend the meetings (it is their job) and so citizens know when to attend to voice concerns

Being a board of education member for 5 years. I have learned how to deal with large budgets and understand not all wishes can be granted in any given year. I know the importance of responding to people who reach out.

I have a chemistry degree from Ohio State University which led me to Kingsport to work with Eastman. With Eastman, I was fortunate to live in Chicago for 8 years and travel the globe to either broaden my knowledge or help customers. It truly has given me a different perspective and makes me appreciate the community spirit of Kingsport.

I have been active in the community and have held district and council leadership positions with Boy Scouts of America.

Business and nonprofit experience make me qualified

Kingsport has been home for Phil and I for 25years. Because our three children were raised here, I have coached football and basketball for Parks and Rec and Boys and Girls Club. I have been a scout leader for 15 years. I have been involved in many boards such as First Book, Waverly Road ChildCare, Kingsport Child Development, and various committees with United Way. These experiences have enhanced my passion for giving back and helping others. Being BOE, I see the needs in our community. Daily we deal with student homelessness, guardian substance abuse, mental health issues, hunger,and more.These are the same issues for Kingsport. We also see positives with work base learning and helping local businesses meetneeds for economic development.

As an Alderman you need to have the ability to help in many different areas and on things you maybe had never thought about until a citizen brings it up. I take the responsibility of being a sounding board for citizens very seriously. The city and the way it’s run can be very complicated and I want to be able to get answers for citizens or cut through any red tape that prevents a commonsense solution.

My campaign slogan is “keep pushing Kingsport forward” and that’s what I want to. Not just for the near future but for the long term. I can promise that I will work tirelessly to make sure Kingsport remains the place we love but also pushes forward the right way.

In 2019 when I was elected to the BMA I ran because I felt like I was in the position to give more to the community that has given me so much. That is my purpose for running for re-election this year. I love this city and want to continue to work with our citizens to make it even better.

I believe the last 4+ years have seen many good things happen in Kingsport but the fruit of a lot of that labor is just beginning to show. There are multiple major projects getting ready to start that I have helped with, and I want to see those through.

I am a small business owner and it is crucial to have that type of representation on a governing body. We are the people that manage every aspect of the business including balancing the checkbook. And at the end of the day the city is a business that works for and with the citizens.

I have also served on many board in the city giving me a view at how best the city can work with its citizens and its local partners to make Kingsport better.