Campaign Phone
8433012748
Qualifications
24 year resident of Hilton Head Plantation. Experience in major community improvement projects. Have worked with multiple government entities; local, state, and federal level. Knowledge in public facility design/construction. Extensive background with institutional budgeting, bond issuances, and organizational growth.
Education
University of Kentucky, Old Dominion University, Case Western Reserve University - Weatherhead School of Management, University of Colorado, Harvard Univeristy Graduate School of Business
If re-elected my focus will be on completing essential infrastructure projects approved during my first term:
1. Expanding PSD's Reverse Osmosis Plant (RO) from 4mgd (million gallons/day) to 6mgd. Finish 600' well to support RO expansion.
2. Complete a 2nd Aquifer Storage and Recovery Well which will store 260 million gallons of treated water underground for use during peak usage months.
Additional Focus:
- Potential relocation of wholesale drinking water main under Inter-coastal Waterway due to US278 Corridor/Bridges Project.
- Initiate talks with regional PSDs on creative recycling of bio-solid wastes.
- Sewer main connections for properties seeking access.
- Finalize wholesale water contract with Beaufort Jasper Water Authority.
1.Maintain and replace aging infrastructure- Use Asset Management Software to track and monitor critical assets. Develop a strategic replacement/repair plan.
2.Cybersecurity Threats- Maintain inventory of all assets, identify vulnerabilities, monitor assets daily, develop response action plans, utilize advanced software systems.
3.Managing inflationary costs- Partner with other PSDs to share in cost saving measures.
4.Maintain/enhance water resiliency- Identify on-island drinking water sources via RO plant expansions, and aquifer storage systems.
5.Protect the integrity of the water main buried under Inter-coastal Waterway- Offer pipeline relocation alternatives.
6. Emergency Preparedness (EP)- Update/review EP Plan on annual basis.
HHI PSD focuses on the use of proven, advanced technologies to be more self reliant. Such efforts keep customer rates affordable.
1.Reverse Osmosis treatment utilizing on-Island wells. Results in cheaper drinking water production expenses.
2.Aquifer Storage and Recovery Wells. Allows the PSD to purchase treated drinking water at a reduced rate and store it on Island for use during peak season usage.
3.Cutting edge practices for treating waste water. These processes allow the PSD to sell recycled wastewater to Island golf course for use in irrigation.
4.When investment in infrastructure is need, the PSD aggressively seeks outside funding opportunities.
5.Education on native plant landscaping will reduce customer costs for irrigation.
The HHI PSD uses a cost-of-service based rate structure which includes consideration of inflationary costs, affordability, rates charged by surrounding PSDs, and comparisons with national water/sewer utility rates.
I favor funding purposes and affordable rate increases that ensure water resiliency, sustainability, and projects that offer long term cost savings for customers.
Qualifications
Civil Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the water/sewer industry including private consulting, public agency service, university teaching, and board director at water agencies.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering; Master of Science - Civil Engineering
As Commissioner at the Hilton Head Public Service District, I would utilize my 30 years of experience as a Civil Engineer in the water/sewer industry to make informed decisions on policy and the budget to represent my constituents.
My goals include:
- Providing reliable, high-quality water
- Predictable low water/sewer rates
- Transparency in operations
- Prioritize public health initiatives
- Community engagement
I would be honored to have your vote.
There are several pressing challenges facing the Public Service District including:
1) Replacement of the water pipeline associated with the Highway 278 Bridge Replacement (Eastbound) project to Hilton Head Island
2) Development of additional well capacity to provide lower cost local water
3) Maintaining infrastructure
4) Compliance with existing and new regulations
As a Commissioner, I would provide significant expertise in design, management, and leadership in water/sewer facilities as a Licensed Civil Engineer to provide informed suggestions to staff, policy development, and oversight of the budget. I would provide unique insights and proactive problem solving and cost-saving ideas to management to help address these challenges.
The overall water and sewer system demands are increasing with new commercial and residential development and aging infrastructure needs to be maintained and replaced. A thoughtful, planned Capital Improvement Plan is used to plan these projects over a 10-year period along with the operations plan and Annual Budget to provide consistent budgeting and rate review. Requiring new development to pay for infrastructure will reduce costs for existing customers. As Commissioner, I will ensure these strategies are utilized along with prioritizing cost saving measures and State and Federal funding to minimize rate increases to a level at or below annual inflation.
As Commissioner, I believe there are essential services that the Hilton Head Public Service District provides such as clean, reliable water that meets all public safety requirements along with maintaining public water/sewer infrastructure that will require regular rate increases. Challenging projects, such as the waterline replacement associated with the Highway 278 Bridge project and regulatory upgrades to water/sewer treatment, can be funded by State and Federal agencies thereby protecting customers from rate increases. Careful planning of essential services and development of cost-saving measures will allow predictable funding requirements and smooth rate increases at a level below inflation.
