Campaign Phone
727-336-2860
Education
Mechanical Engineering, English Literature
Professional Experience
Aviation Engineering, US Navy Pilot, Southwest Airlines Pilot, Founder Florida Adventure Vacations
Public Service
Founder and Executive Director of Maryland Science Olympiad, Board of Adjustments St. Pete Beach
I earned a Mechanical Engineering degree and worked as an engineer and served on numerous design teams. I will make better decisions to guide our infrastructure spending. As a military veteran and retired Southwest Airlines pilot, I have a proven history of good decisions balancing safety and customer service. My service on the St. Pete Beach Board of Adjustments alongside a long history of public fundraising and team building provide further experience to serve.
The top two challenges for our community for the next 5 years are infrastructure and funding. We have 40 miles of sewer lines that my opponent has allowed to go unserviced. We now have excessive salt water intrusion with numerous sink holes forming around the city. We must ensure that proper repairs are funded through grants, bonds, and county assistance. Our city still does not have a grant writer, and I will ensure that we prioritize new funding.
Hurricanes have highlighted the challenge of balancing permitting and customer service.
My opponent has not achieved an acceptable level of customer service. I will ensure that we win this struggle through hiring, training, and rewarding customer service. We can do this by adopting policies for permit handling and timing that are better than the established requirements.
Our city code needs simplification compared to other beach towns, and I am currently compiling detailed changes that demonstrate empathy for our community.
We will develop our storm SOP and codes to maximize recovery and timely response to future hurricanes.
If the homesteaded property tax exemption passes, our city revenue will drop 30%. Underfunded, we need drastic action now to be prepared. We must reprioritize spending, as well as establish new revenue streams. I will not allow infrastructure improvements to be cut. Tourist based tax revenues should be pursued by lobbying the county Tourist Development Council.
Does the state meet the needs of local governments? No. For example, SD180 ties the city’s hands. Our city’s ability to make responsible changes to address hurricane recovery and infrastructure shortfalls is hobbled by SD180. Home rule is always preferred to centralized rule, because informed citizens understand local issues. I will spend the time each week with “office hours” in our district to ensure we stay informed and thereby make good decisions to guide our city. I will collaborate with county, state, and federal representatives to guide our decision making.
I believe affordable housing relative to our community can be found within five miles. Saint Petersburg offers a more diverse range of housing, given the availability of public transportation. I believe that barrier island property with high prices and flooding is difficult for use as affordable housing. I would like to subsidize in-city housing for city employees once our infrastructure challenges are met. Short term rentals should be carefully considered.
Senate bill 180 must be honored, but through building cooperation, we will repair existing infrastructure. Appropriate maintenance and lining of our wastewater pipes will prevent saltwater intrusion, infiltration, sink holes in our city. It is in the interest of all members of our community to contribute to recovery expenses.
Campaign Phone
7273343838
Education
B.S., Marine Biology with additional studies in Chemistry and Art; M.Ed., Master’s in Education; M.S., Master’s in Leadership; Gold Certificate for Elected Municipal Officials (2025) Florida League of Cities
Professional Experience
Marine biologist and environmental advocate; Teacher and school principal; Juvenile justice leader (20+ years); Social services and nonprofit leadership, including United Way; City Commissioner, District 3, focused on infrastructure, resiliency, and transparency
Public Service
City Commissioner, District 3; Neighborhood Association President; School Advisory Council Chair; Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor (long term); Dive Instructor with the Florida Aquarium; Volunteer with Sea Turtle Trackers and coastal stewardship programs; Leader in community cleanups and youth advocacy; Member, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
I bring proven experience as your commissioner, backed by decades in public service and strong academic training. I hold advanced degrees, earned the Florida League of Cities Gold Certificate, and serve on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. My work in education, juvenile justice, social services, and community leadership gives me the expertise to continue strengthening St. Pete Beach.
Our top challenges are aging infrastructure and coastal resiliency. We must modernize sewer, stormwater, and roadway systems, improve coordination with county and state partners, and provide transparent project tracking so residents can follow progress. To strengthen resiliency, I support expanding mitigation projects, updating drainage and building standards, investing in flood‑reduction infrastructure, and creating long‑term plans that protect homes, businesses, and our coastline.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton showed the need for stronger storm readiness and faster recovery. I support expanding mitigation projects, hardening critical infrastructure, and improving communication so residents receive timely, accurate updates. To speed rebuilding, we must streamline permit reviews, increase staffing during peak demand, and provide clearer guidance on FEMA’s 49/50% rule so homeowners understand their options. Strengthening partnerships with county, state, and federal agencies will improve coordination, speed rebuilding, and ensure residents get the support they need. Creating a more transparent, resident‑focused process will help our community recover faster and build back stronger.
Property taxes fund essential services like police, fire, EMS, public services, and infrastructure. Eliminating or reducing them without a replacement revenue source would force cuts to core services or delay critical projects. Any state changes must include stable, predictable funding and protect municipal home rule so cities can assess properties for the services residents rely on. I will advocate with our lobbyists to protect all current services. Locally, I support long‑term financial planning and responsible revenue strategies to maintain safety, infrastructure, and quality of life.
Florida’s balance of power has shifted too far toward the state, limiting local governments’ ability to address community‑specific needs. Home rule is essential because cities are closest to the people and best understand local challenges. I believe the relationship should be rebalanced to restore municipal authority, allowing cities to make decisions on zoning, infrastructure, resiliency, and services without unnecessary preemption. Strengthening home rule ensures responsive, accountable, resident‑focused governance.
Affordable and workforce housing remains a challenge, especially for the people who work in our community. I support partnering with nonprofits and county agencies to expand options for renters and homeowners, using tools like mixed‑income development, accessory dwelling units, and targeted assistance programs. We must also protect existing workforce housing and encourage responsible redevelopment. I’m committed to exploring a Community Redevelopment District to support long‑term housing solutions and ensure zoning and incentives help maintain a balanced, year‑round community.
Reducing chloride levels is essential to maintaining our reclaimed‑water partnership with St. Pete. The city is currently assessing all sewer pipes to identify leaks, saltwater intrusion, and needed repairs. I support accelerating smoke testing, repairing lateral leaks, and replacing aging clay pipes. I will continue advocating for full project transparency so residents can track repair status and costs. Senate Bill 180 may limit local flexibility, so strong partnerships and clear communication are critical to ensuring we can respond effectively and protect our reclaimed‑water system.
