VOTE411 Voter Guide

I grew up in Emerald Isle and returned over a decade ago with my husband to raise our family, giving me both deep roots and a current, practical perspective on our town. I serve as General Manager of Spinnaker’s Reach Realty, where I’ve built skills in responsiveness, transparency, and promoting Emerald Isle in ways that benefit residents and visitors. I currently serve on the Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority, the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Bogue Banks Beach Commission. These roles provide insight into coastal protection, regional growth, and community needs. Combined with my personal connection to Emerald Isle, I bring steady, approachable leadership that listens, connects, and is forward thinking.

The top three issues I will focus on as Mayor are: Balanced Growth, ensuring that increased day-trip visitation and regional growth don’t overwhelm our town services, infrastructure, or beach access; Community Connection, staying engaged with residents in real time so we can address concerns early and include full-time residents in shaping Emerald Isle’s future; and Accessible Leadership, providing visible, approachable leadership so residents always have someone they can contact directly, while also representing our community with pride and respect. Together, these priorities reflect both the challenges we face and the values that make Emerald Isle a special place to call home.

The top issue I see for Emerald Isle is ensuring stronger community connection through accessible leadership. As Mayor, I will make it a priority to stay engaged with residents in real time so concerns are addressed before they grow into larger issues. Full-time residents should have a meaningful voice in shaping our town’s future, and that starts with open, approachable leadership. I will be visible in the community, provide clear communication, and make myself available as a direct point of contact, so residents feel heard and represented. By leading with respect, transparency, and consistency, we can build trust and strengthen the sense of community that makes Emerald Isle such a special place.

Serving as Mayor of Emerald Isle is about more than policy—it’s about being a steady, visible presence for the community I’ve called home since childhood. I know what makes this town special, and I want to ensure those same experiences—neighbors looking out for one another, children growing up safely, families enjoying our coast—remain at the heart of Emerald Isle. With professionalism, respect, and a true love for this place, I am ready to serve as Mayor and represent our community with pride.

We moved here full time in 2011. Our youngest child Jesse is a junior at Croatan High School and our oldest daughter Brianna joined us here full-time and started her own business, Bogue Breeze Pet Services. We own U Dream It Builders Inc where “You dream it we build it” and I’m a CPA with Peters, Thompson & Christian PA in Cedar Point.

I have dealt with many types of storms and I’m very familiar with how difficult times can affect a family, a community and its residents. I consider Emerald Isle my home and the residents here my family. I will continue to work hard for this town just like I do for my family. Our hearts and family are vested in this town, we love our neighbors and want to continue to grow our friends and family.

I would say the budget & fiscal responsibility would be my main concern and I would use my knowledge as a CPA to review and make recommendations when needed to enhance or reduce line items that need attention.

Weekend Traffic congestion is a huge problem. I would like to work with our police department, town manager and other municipalities to come up with a workable plan to make the traffic flow on & off the island a little less stressful for all travelers.

Above all I would like to use my voice and guidance to assist our elected officials to further to goals of our town with open communication between it’s residents and town employees & elected officials.

I hope to use my accounting and life experiences to work together with others to continue to grow and keep Emerald Isle the best beach on our beautiful coastline.

My family & I purchased our first home in Emerald Isle in March 1999 just before Hurricanes Dennis & Floyd. It was a scary time I was about to be 33 years old, single and thought I might end up with a mortgage on sand with no house if the hurricanes did any real damage. Fortunately for us, our house was fine, but Kinston suffered severe flooding. We went forever without power but were surrounded by family & friends.

Friends and family got us through again when hurricane Florence paid us a visit back in 2018. My husband, Mike, and his employees jumped in along with all our island friends and family to assist neighbors with clearing debris from homes and streets, tarping roofs and whatever else needed to be done during the day. All the while, I was at home cooking so that I could feed everyone. I believe I fed at least 20-30 people every night for a week just so everyone would have a good meal before going to bed so they could start again the next day.

God, Family & Country!!!