Campaign Phone
7274224607
Professional Experience
Marketing Consultant
I've been serving the city as Commissioner since 2022. I became the Mayor in 2024. I helped to originate the STR Ordinance in 2023 to support regulation for short term rentals. It was a tough time getting all of the rules put together and agreed upon as a commission, but we got it done. That's why I believe I'm your best candidate. I never quit during Form 6. I have never sued the city. And I never missed a meeting after a breast cancer diagnosis shortly after joining the city. I get it done.
Division and disinformation. It is my goal to use citizen advisory boards, community involvement and our excellent non-profit organizations to bridge these differences and come together as a community. Our biggest threat is ourselves when it comes to maintaining the peace, calm, charm and beauty in our little city. We can shine a light on our issues and resolve them in the very best way we can together. We may not always be able to rid ourselves of every single problem, but I know it's possible to learn how to evolve as the lovely beach community that we are. Just like the tide, we live in a state of perpetual change.
First, we need a SWOT analysis of how we handled the storms. To prepare for the next storm, we need to expand the city's capacity before the storm with staff, infrastructure and planning. Invest in resilient infrastructure by hardening facilities, improving drainage, and protecting homes. Next, we need to modernize our emergency operations and communications. Create a resident-centered recovery center then track those efforts so residents see progress. Provide early damage assessments to avoid surprises. Define a city-level recovery ombudsman to help homeowners navigate FEMA, insurance and permitting. We need to fix our broken processes and advocate for residents turning chaos into coordination and help homeowners rebuild faster.
Many city services could be put at risk in the case of reduced property taxes. Our core services such as police, fire and emergency services would likely be protected. Infrastructure maintenance, drainage and road repairs as well as parks, recreation and community services could be scheduled as the budget permits. Our city may have to make tough decisions about higher fees and assessments on residents and businesses and/or cuts to staffing if we are unable to meet our city's needs.
Property taxes are the backbone of municipal services in Florida. If they are significantly reduced or eliminated, the impact on cities will be immediate and unavoidable unless replacement revenue is provided.
Our Home Rule is definitely weakened and we have lost the flexibility to manage growth and make decisions. Oftentimes, local leaders are blamed for outcomes they cannot control. Especially when it comes to short term rentals. The balance of power isn't working. Local problems deserve local solutions.
I believe Florida works best when:
- The state sets the guardrails
- Local governments drive local solutions
- Collaboration replaces one-size-fits-all mandates
I would advocate for policies that respect home rule, protect local decision-making, and ensure our community has the tools it needs to solve its own problems—while still operating within a consistent statewide framework.
Because we are a beach community, our home values and vacation properties likely prohibit low income housing availability. The one way to expand availability is with ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units) added to existing properties. Supporting mixed-use developments in designated areas.
But as residents are already struggling with residential short-term rentals, this could cause new pushback. So I don't sense that Indian Rocks Beach, a Florida vacation and beach destination, is the best location for affordable housing.
We were so fortunate in the last beach replenishment in 2025, Pinellas County decided to take on the project as we did not have all easement signatures in place for the Corps of Engineers to complete. The City, the County and local organizations look after the beaches in keeping them free of debris while protecting the wildlife.
I would suggest that we invite Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary to present ideas at our city meeting on how we can best support local wildlife and take better care of our beaches.
Campaign Phone
727-228-0006
Education
BBA Marketing & Accounting - Middle Tennessee State University
Professional Experience
Director of Sales & Marketing - RAV Enterprises Llc.,
Public Service
Former City Commissioner, with firsthand experience in local governance, budgeting, accountability, and constituent engagement Board Member, IRB Action 2000 Oktoberfest Chair, leading one of the city’s largest community fundraisers Volunteer, IRB Home President, Homes Not Hotels, Inc. Executive Board Member & Finance Chair, Children’s Cancer Center
I bring a proven, results-driven business mindset shaped by my experience as a VP of Sales and Marketing, grounded in common sense and fiscal responsibility. My leadership is built on disciplined stewardship and measurable results. As a Board Member with IRB Action 2000, Oktoberfest Chair, active volunteer with IRB Home, and former City Commissioner, I unite business acumen with hands-on community leadership focused on accountability, collaboration, and integrity.
Preserving IRB’s small-town, family-friendly character and vibe is essential to maintaining a balanced beach community; not becoming a resort city. Visitors are welcome in properly zoned areas, but our neighborhoods must remain places to live, not commercial lodging districts. Short-term rentals in single-family areas bring constant turnover, noise, parking issues, and rising housing costs and must be enforced.
IRB faces rising costs from storms, erosion, and the need to invest in infrastructure and public safety. These costs should not fall only on residents. A fair pay-to-play approach like paid parking and user fees ensures visitors help fund what they use while prioritizing local needs.
The hurricanes exposed the need for stronger strategic planning, preparedness, and partnerships. Drawing on my experience as a former City Commissioner and managing complex budgets, teams, and projects, I would focus on proactive planning before storms. This includes hardening infrastructure, strengthening stormwater systems, and expanding mutual aid with dedicated funding for surge staffing. Post-storm recovery must include clear timelines, streamlined permitting, and coordinated inspections so residents can rebuild faster and with less stress. We must also advocate for practical flexibility in regulations, provide clear guidance, and offer local support. The goal is a prepared city with a faster recovery that puts residents first.
We owe it to residents to provide high-quality services, well-maintained infrastructure, and strong public safety at the lowest responsible cost without compromising core priorities. Any reduction in property taxes should begin with a careful budget review and be phased in over time to allow adjustments, not sudden cuts. Public safety and essential services must always come first. I support setting ambitious goals, including a long-term plan to reduce the city millage rate for residents, ultimately working toward zero. Any changes must be thoughtful, transparent, and shaped through open public discussion. Revenue losses can be offset through paid parking and reasonable user fees for activities and courts, consistent with neighboring cities.
Florida’s balance between state and local government is off and needs realignment. While the Florida Constitution presumes local authority first under Article VIII, Section 2(b), state overreach through preemption has steadily weakened home rule. The Florida League of Cities reports that in the past three years alone, more than 100 bills were filed to override local decision-making. An example of a one-size-fits-all overreach is FS 509 and short-term rental preemption, where cities lost control over zoning, safety, and neighborhood impacts. The balance Must Be Restored: the state sets minimum standards, but cities must retain authority to address local issues transparently and accountably.
Affordable and workforce housing in IRB has been directly impacted by the unchecked growth of short-term rentals. When investors can earn 3 to 4 times more from nightly rentals than from long-term leases, homes are removed from the residential market, driving up prices and rents for families and local workers. Extending mortgage terms, lowering rates, or building “affordable” units will not solve the problem if investor-driven STRs continue operating as businesses in single-family neighborhoods. Short-term rentals do not belong in residential zones and must be properly regulated and enforced. Restoring housing affordability starts with protecting homes intended for residents, not converting neighborhoods into commercial lodging districts.
The difficulty completing beach replenishment came to a breakdown in trust caused by federal requirements for private easements that were not required in the past. This has stalled projects critical to public safety, environmental protection, and storm resilience. To move forward, I support creating a citizen advisory board working with city leaders to explore lawful alternatives, including access through navigable waterways and the public trust doctrine. When erosion threatens public infrastructure permits should allow projects to proceed if deemed a public necessity. Clean, resilient beaches are a shared public interest, and working with our citizens is paramount.
