Current Occupation
Lawyer
Age (optional)
60
I have practiced law for more than 30 years in the District and Superior Courts in multiple counties of Northwest North Carolina. I spent 8 years on the Watauga County Board of Elections. I am an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army, having served with the 3rd Infantry Division in Western Europe as an M-1 Abrams tank mechanic. I am a graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law, Appalachian State University, and Watauga High School. I am a husband, a parent, and a small business owner who knows what it is like to struggle through tough times and celebrate through joyful ones. I have deep roots in this community and a genuine understanding of the people I will serve.
My loyalty is to the Constitution and the law. The politics of the parties in Court should not affect the way the law is applied to their case or the way they are treated by the Court.
I have practiced law for more than 30 years. From the outset, my work has centered on courtroom advocacy, including advocacy across a wide range of District Court matters. Over the decades, I’ve handled nearly every type of case heard in District Court, including civil disputes (such as contracts, debtor-creditor issues, and consumer law issues), family law (divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, domestic violence, and child custody), landlord-tenant matters (evictions), juvenile delinquency in DJJ proceedings, and abuse/neglect/dependency cases in DSS matters—representing parents, the Guardian ad Litem, and the Department of Social Services. For the past 12 years, my practice has focused primarily on criminal defense.
In my decades of practice, I have watched people face their darkest days in District Court: suffering heartbreak, loss, broken homes, and fear for the future. I have seen how compassionate, thoughtful rulings can bring healing, restore hope, and rebuild lives. Sadly, I have also seen how arbitrary, unfair rulings deepen wounds that never fully heal and generate resentment toward other parties, the law, and the justice system itself. An effective District Court Judge listens to all parties, applies the law fairly without fear or favor, and issues the sort of compassionate, thoughtful rulings that allow people to heal and give them confidence in their justice system. I will be a District Court Judge who strives to achieve those goals.
Position/philosophy statement
A judge’s job is not to “take sides” or “make policy.” It is to listen carefully, apply the law faithfully, and decide cases on the facts and admissible evidence.
Current Occupation
Attorney/Entreprenuer
Age (optional)
45
I have spent my career developing the habits that matter most on the bench: preparation, consistency, and sound judgment. In practice, I routinely analyze statutes and controlling case law, evaluate evidence, prepare witnesses, and make strategic decisions under real deadlines and high stakes. I also lead and supervise teams handling complex civil matters, which requires disciplined case management, clear communication, and calm decision-making when emotions and consequences are high. In addition to my legal work, I have been an entrepreneur and business owner in this community. Building and operating a business teaches practical problem-solving, accountability, and respect for the time and resources of citizens and staff.
Here in the 35th District, people don’t all vote the same way. But they do expect the courthouse to be the one place where everyone gets a fair shake. That’s why the platform of any political party should play no role in how a judge does the job.
Party platforms are for lawmakers who write policy. A judge’s role is different: to apply the Constitution, North Carolina law, and binding precedent to the facts proven in court—no matter who the parties are, what neighborhood they’re from, or what letter is beside their name on election day.
In our district, where people know each other, work hard, and depend on the system to function, confidence in the courts matters. My commitment is to leave politics at the courthouse door.
I bring hands-on experience with the real-world issues District Court sees every day. I have represented parents in custody, support, and protective-order matters, and I have also represented children—serving as a Guardian ad Litem for many juveniles—which required careful investigation, collaboration with DSS, schools, and providers, and clear recommendations focused on safety and stability. As a parent myself, I understand how profoundly these cases affect families. I have worked with the District Attorney’s Office and, in private practice, defended misdemeanor criminal charges, giving me practical familiarity with courtroom procedure, evidentiary issues, and the consequences that even minor offenses can have in people’s lives.
Success would be a court that is prepared, consistent, and respectful. This means we have a court where every person is heard, the law is applied evenly, and rulings are clear and timely. It also means maintaining impartiality and judicial temperament, running an efficient calendar, and ensuring that litigants, especially those without counsel, understand the process. I would view success as improving predictability and professionalism in the courtroom so lawyers can advise their clients accurately, parties can plan their lives, and court staff can operate without unnecessary friction. Above all, success is preserving public confidence that decisions are based on facts, evidence, and law, not politics or personalities.
