Professional Experience
Polk County School Board Member, District 5, 2002 to present; President and CEO, Girls Inc. of Lakeland 1983 to present
Educational Qualifications
BS Degree in English/Secondary Education, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS
Campaign Phone
8636864066
I want to continue to be a strong voice for students and employees; continue to advocate for our parents and the communities that our schools serve; and continue improving the quality of education delivered through all our schools.
My Top Priorities are:
1. Strengthening academic achievement
2. Supporting teachers and staff
3. Ensuring safe and nurturing schools
I have served on the school board for 23 plus years and have the experience and historical knowledge needed to be an effective board member. I have been intimately involved in Polk County for over 45 years serving on numerous boards and committees and have established relationships that can help me better understand the needs of our school district and community.
My professional experience as the President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Lakeland, an afterschool and summer program for girls in grade K-12, has provided me the opportunity to see first-hand the needs of many of our students and families. It has provided me with insight into the shifting needs of our youth and families and what is needed to assist with their academic success.
We can never truly compensate educators for all they do for our children and families, but it is our responsibility as school board members to ensure that salaries and benefits are as competitive as possible. Our teachers deserve to know that Polk County values their expertise, their commitment, and the impact they make every day. Strengthening our compensation and benefits package (especially in comparison to neighboring districts) is essential to attracting and retaining the high-quality educators our students depend on.
We can also be more creative in new recruitment by providing incentives such as student loan reimbursement, incentives for housing or developing a housing partnership with local builders.
The reduction in revenue impacts public schools adversely since the public school system must serve all students. Those students who are facing the greatest challenges socio-economically will need more from their respective school today if we are going to be able to adequately prepare them to be a productive participant in America’s workforce tomorrow.
I believe that the same standards measuring outcomes should be applied to all schools that receive tax dollars. Doing so calls for all schools being held accountable to the same standards. Private and charter schools are afforded autonomy and flexibility public schools do not receive. However, America’s need for productive participants in its workforce of tomorrow should be an important factor in how we look at academic performance and accountability.
Professional Experience
Tech Entrepreneur
Educational Qualifications
M.S in Computer Science & Math
Campaign Phone
(863)346-7252
I am running for Polk County School Board District 5 because I believe every child deserves a strong education that prepares them for success. As an immigrant who rose from poverty through quality schooling, I want to ensure all students in our district have the same opportunity.
My top three priorities:
Empower parents as key partners in their children’s education with greater transparency and involvement.
Focus on academic excellence in reading, math, and essential skills to build a strong foundation for future success.
Ensure safe schools and responsible use of taxpayer dollars to support effective teaching and learning.
I bring over 25 years of proven leadership as a successful technology entrepreneur and CEO. I founded and grew multiple companies that earned national recognition on the Inc. 5000 and Deloitte Fast 500 lists.
As a current Trustee on the Florida Polytechnic University Board, I work on STEM education, workforce development, and preparing students for high-skill careers.
Raised in poverty, I succeeded through strong academics and character education. As a father and husband, I understand what families truly need.
I will bring results-driven focus, fiscal discipline, and a deep commitment to academic excellence and parental partnership to the Polk County School Board.
Recruiting and retaining excellent teachers is critical for student success. To address competitive salaries in neighboring counties, I support a balanced approach:
Offering competitive compensation packages that reward performance and experience.
Reducing administrative burdens so teachers can focus on instruction.
Ensuring safe, orderly learning environments that support effective teaching.
Providing targeted professional development in core academics.
Building strong partnerships with local businesses and higher education institutions like Florida Poly for additional resources and incentives.
By valuing our educators and using taxpayer funds wisely, we can attract and keep the high-quality teachers our students deserve.
The use of public tax dollars for vouchers to private schools gives parents more choices, which is important. However, it can reduce funding for traditional public schools, potentially affecting class sizes, programs, and teacher resources.
My priority is strengthening all schools: public, charter, and private, by focusing on academic excellence, safety, and wise use of taxpayer funds. Healthy competition can encourage improvement while ensuring traditional public schools remain strong and fully supported.
I will work to expand opportunities for every Polk County student without weakening our neighborhood schools.
Accountability protects taxpayers and ensures every child gets a quality education.
Yes. Any school receiving public tax dollars, whether public, charter, or private, must meet strong standards of accountability.
This includes certified teachers where required, rigorous financial oversight, transparency in spending, and academic performance reporting. Parents deserve confidence that their tax dollars are used effectively.
However, we should avoid excessive bureaucracy that raises costs without improving outcomes. The focus must be on student results, safety, learning, and excellence, while respecting the unique missions of different school types.
