VOTE411 Voter Guide

Dedicated public service leader with over 26 years of experience in the Orange County Register of Deeds office. Proven expertise in records management, statutory compliance, financial oversight, and customer service excellence. Skilled in Recording, Indexing, and maintaining public and vital records in compliance with NC GS. Preparing and managing office budget. Handling confidential, legal, and sensitive records with accuracy and attention to detail. Providing accurate, professional customer service to the public, attorneys and real estate professionals. I have extensive knowledge in conservation of historical records. I created a passport acceptance facility and have managed that and the agents since 2017.

Title Fraud is a growing concern for all counties. While our staff are trained to look for title fraud, it can be hard to detect. We have installed a fraud alert notification system that property owners can sign up for. It sends an email to the customer when a document is recorded in their name, but I feel there needs to be additional steps by our legislatures to completely resolve this issue.

I firmly believe the Register of Deeds is operating at maximum efficiency because we have modernized our software system, we offer eRecording for faster processing, all of our records have been digitized, we offer online getcertificatenow for certified copies of vital records, fraud notification, all of our records are digitized, staff are cross trained, and we provide exceptional customer service and passport services. Our office serves a huge Hispanic population and could use additional bilingual speaking staff.

I have always been committed to finding collaborative solutions for the public and the county departments who depend on the Register of Deeds office. Over 26 years, I have established a remarkable working relationship with staff, attorney's, county manager, commissioners, human resources, finance, land records, and tax. It is extremely important that the register of Deeds maintain these relationships. I would be grateful to the voters in keeping the Register of Deeds a customer friendly office where employees love to work.

I am a long-time public official in Orange County with extensive local government service. Over 2 1/2 decades in various leadership positions, I have found the balance needed to be strong, supportive and successful. I believe a true leader must challenge themself to listen, learn, respect and build bridges to make our community a place for everyone to have a meaningful life. I am committed to making the ROD office a comfortable environment for our deputies, attorneys, real estate agents, title search agents and pro-se residents searching for important public documents.

Technology-Now that almost all record keeping is E-Filed, the ROD office has to outsource its technology to outside vendors. This can make the user frustrated as filing can be challenging and in some cases rejected. Communication-The web site is not good. Broken links and outdated information. The website is often the first place residents go for information, this needs to be fixed. AI-As AI shifts from experimental to a standard tool, the deeds office has to follow suit to improve daily operations; enhance accuracy, security and public accessibility.

I think I will need to examine the work flow and collaborate with the current staff to look for enhancements to enrich the end users experience while working within our annual budget. The staff is the front line and should always be respected and included in important changes, decisions, and improvements. It is important to listen to the regular users of the office, attorneys, real estate agents, title search agents, surveyors, as well as the public to incorporate suggestions into our operations. A few things I have learned from ROD’s across the state is that we can be more active with the Register of Deeds Association and participate and share ideas across counties.

Leadership roles; Assistant Clerk of Superior Court and Judge of Probate, Estates Division 2022-Present Orange County Commissioner 2012 – 2020 (Vice Chair 2017-2018, Chair 2019-2020) Chapel Hill Town Council 2009-2012 OWASA Board of Directors 2001-2007, 2003-2005 Secretary-Treasurer, 2005-2006 Vice Chair. Advanced Leadership Corp- UNC School of Government -Class 3, awarded Ambassorship 2015 Kenan Scholar Mentor (Luther Hodges Scholars) – UNC Kenan Scholars at Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, 2018-Present Education; New York University, New York, New York, MA -Communication Technology/Business Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, BFA Concentration in Lithography, Advertising and Communications. Continued Education; UNC School of Government - Guardianships and Less Restrictive Alternatives 2025. Communication and Conflict Resolution – Dispute Settlement Center, March 2015. Dismantling Racism – January 2012, January 2016, January 2018.