The city is governed by a seven-member City Commission, elected to four-year terms by the residents of East Grand Rapids. The mayor is elected at-large from the entire city, while two Commissioners are elected from each of the city’s three wards.The City Commission sets policies, approves purchases and contracts for services, and enacts ordinances.
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Age
40
Occupation / Current Position
Government Relations/Partner
Education
B.A. Political Science; M.S. Political Science
Experience & Qualifications
EGR Parks Commission 2020-2024; EGR City Commission 2024-present
Campaign Phone
740-398-3758
City Commissioners need a pulse on the community, thoughtfulness, and diligence. I love East Grand Rapids – like many, I’m raising my family here because I value our walkable, safe community, and I believe in our schools. I’m active in the community with our kids – you can find me at the pool with Waves and on the sidelines for East FC. I’ve served residents since 2020 – first as a member of the Parks Commission, then its Chair; and since 2024 as a member of City Commission. When our parks were crumbling, I led the successful campaign to invest in them. Now, the playgrounds shared by the city and schools are vastly improved and Manhattan Park just re-opened after a complete refresh. I bring that same innovative thinking to all city issues.
I’m dedicated to making the changes we need: increased pedestrian safety, enhanced sustainability across the city, and community-focused improvements downtown. Our city budget is healthy. We can afford to keep our community safe by fully funding our public safety department, adding pedestrian safety lights at dangerous crossings, and replacing sidewalk plow equipment to better manage ice. Let’s implement our Climate Action Plan and limit emissions from city operations by electrifying our fleet where possible and improving building efficiency. And let’s require that Gaslight Village improvements reflect our EGR values of community and walkability by including gathering space and providing safe paths through the development.
In East Grand Rapids, we know what makes our community strong: walkability, connection, and great schools. As plans to update Gaslight Village move forward, it’s vital that they reflect these core values. Gaslight is more than just a business district — it’s the heart of our community. Any investment must strengthen the walkable character, support our families, and keep East Grand Rapids a place where community comes first. My role as a City Commissioner is to advocate for these values and move the development in a direction that reflects them. We need less surface parking, safe traffic flows, a public plaza where families and neighbors come together, and a clear usage agreement for events before any proposal is complete.
Home values in East Grand Rapids have never been higher – a great benefit for residents, and a huge barrier to entry for new families. The city is as strong as East Grand Rapids Public Schools. Building additional housing and increasing density in Gaslight Village is essential to ensure we draw new students into our school system. Our schools draw us together; community and neighborliness are core to who we are. We must create great spaces to gather in Gaslight Village and the next phase of Waterfront Park to stay connected and ensure our local restaurants and retailers have plenty of foot traffic. Let’s support festivals, events, and other creative opportunities to bring the community together.
