Campaign Phone
5203667112
Public Policy Priorities
Affordability, Safety, and Quality of Life
Qualifications and Experience
8 years on the City Council, Vice Mayor for the past 4 years, Chair of the Sierra Vista Metropolitan Planning Organization, Council Liaison to the Planning & Zoning Commission, Neighborhoods Commission, Arts, Humanities, and Cultural Diversity Commission, Industrial Development Authority, Tourism Commission, Vice Chair of the Upper San Pedro Partnership, and Board Member of SouthEastern Arizona Governments Association (SEAGO)
Memberships & Affiliations
Lifetime VFW Auxiliary Member, Citizen Police Academy Associates
Endorsements
Former Mayor, Tom Hessler
Community Service
Rotary
Education
Cochise College, Business Administration Degree
Economic development and sustainability have to go hand in hand, especially here in Sierra Vista.
As mayor, I would support economic opportunities that strengthen and diversify our economy while also making sure they are a good fit for our community and our long term resources.
Water has to be part of that conversation. We live in the desert, we depend on our groundwater, and the health of our aquifer is important not only to our residents and the San Pedro River, but also to the long term sustainability of Fort Huachuca.
That does not mean saying no to growth. It means being smart in how we grow. Sierra Vista has already demonstrated that economic growth and environmental stewardship can coexist. So making sure while we attract people, support new businesses, we have to continue investing in conservation, recharge, and water reuse, and encourage new development to incorporate water efficient practices.
My top budget priority is maintaining a financially responsible city government that delivers the core services our residents rely on while continuing to invest in Sierra Vista’s long term future.
Public safety must remain a priority. Residents deserve well staffed, well trained police and fire departments with the equipment and resources necessary to respond effectively.
Roads, drainage, sewer systems, transportation infrastructure, public facilities, and other City assets require consistent investment. I believe we should prioritize preventative maintenance, plan capital projects strategically, and aggressively pursue state and federal grants and appropriations so local dollars can go further. And I've already been doing that.
My goal would be to protect the services Sierra Vistans depend on today while making the investments necessary to keep our community safe, affordable, economically competitive, and financially sustainable for the future.
Transparency and public trust are essential to good government. As Mayor, I would continue to support open meetings, accessible public records, clear communication, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Residents should be able to understand how decisions are made, how their money is being spent, and who is accountable.
Ethical governance also means asking questions, following established processes, avoiding conflicts of interest, and holding ourselves to the same standards we expect from City employees.
Meaningful public participation requires more than allowing five minutes at a microphone. I believe in engaging residents early, listening to different perspectives, meeting people where they are, making information accessible, and creating opportunities for people to participate before major decisions are made. Leadership should be transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people we serve.
Many of the challenges facing Sierra Vista do not stop at our city limits. As Mayor, I will continue building strong relationships with residents, neighboring communities, Cochise County, Fort Huachuca, and our state and federal partners.
I believe effective leadership starts with listening to residents and ensuring their priorities are represented when decisions are made. Regionally, collaboration is essential on issues such as transportation, water, economic development, public safety, and protecting Fort Huachuca.
Throughout my time on Council, I have worked with regional, state, and federal partners to advocate for Sierra Vista and secure resources for our community. As Mayor, I will continue bringing people to the table, finding common ground, and pursuing grants, appropriations, and partnerships that help local taxpayer dollars go further.
Sierra Vista is strongest when we work together and when we have a strong voice beyond City Hall.
Some important issues facing Sierra Vista are revenue, affordability, infrastructure, public safety, and protecting the long term strength of Fort Huachuca.
As Mayor, I would focus on attracting and retaining businesses, supporting our existing employers and small businesses, strengthening workforce development, and creating opportunities that allow our young people to build their futures here.
I would continue pursuing outside funding for infrastructure and community improvements so we can make needed investments while protecting local taxpayers. I would prioritize well staffed and well equipped police and fire departments and responsible planning that considers housing, water, infrastructure, and affordability.
Finally, I would continue strengthening our partnership with Fort Huachuca and advocating for missions and investments that support both the installation and our community. Addressing these challenges requires experience, collaboration, and consistent follow through.
Campaign Phone
5203945891
Sierra Vista thrives when we put hardworking families first with real solutions that respect your rights and wallet. I’ll broaden Opportunity Zones to attract defense technology, drone systems, and cyber defense jobs tied to Fort Huachuca’s strengths driven by private innovation, not government overreach. From my Lowe’s experience, I’ll slash bureaucratic hurdles and partner with builders for attainable housing, targeting hundreds of new units for working families so young people can put down roots. We’ll cut property taxes and keep costs low. On water and sustainability, I’ll lock in funding for water replenishment and fire prevention to protect our shared resources and the San Pedro aquifer, ensuring growth that is smart, market-driven, and lasting without squeezing residents dry. This is about genuine expansion where self-starters prosper.
My top priorities are fiscal responsibility, efficiency, and delivering more for less so families keep more of their money. I’ll launch a thorough review of all city services to eliminate waste, pursue grants, and demand full transparency on every dollar especially after recent sewer and refuse rate hikes that hit household budgets. Public safety comes first: advanced training and gear to shorten response times while respecting personal rights. Infrastructure follows targeting critical road and sidewalk repairs through a full city assessment. Housing gets market driven support by cutting red tape for private builders, not mandates. Community programs, especially for retirees and veterans, will use private partnerships for better healthcare and recreation with cost saving energy improvements. No bloated budgets just smart allocation that prioritizes taxpayer value and essential services.
Residents deserve government that works for them, not the other way around. I will demand full transparency on every dollar spent, aggressive efficiency reviews, and long-term planning so we stop surprise rate shocks. Open forums with residents and local leaders will shape our economic and service plans my interrogation and training background taught me how to gather real insights and build trust. I’ll launch a Student Shadow Program inviting high school and college students to observe the mayor and council, learn decision-making, and share ideas on jobs, housing, and the future. Resident-input efforts will guide public safety and other priorities. Ethical governance means limited government, no overreach, and putting people over politics. Every household should see results, not rhetoric.
As a 20-year resident and former Army instructor, I know strong partnerships deliver results. I’ll form a Joint Coordination Committee with Fort Huachuca that meets quarterly to align on job training, resources, and economic development targeting hundreds of veterans yearly into civilian careers and expanding Electronic Proving Ground opportunities. I’ll network aggressively at the state and federal levels to attract investment and advocate for Sierra Vista’s interests, including relocating the county seat here to save taxpayer money and consolidate resources. With residents, open forums and the Student Shadow Program will keep voices front and center. Regional partners will help on water stewardship, infrastructure, and shared growth. My approach is straightforward: build alliances, cut red tape, and fight for what benefits every household.
The biggest issues are affordability, job growth, housing for young families, strong Fort Huachuca ties, and efficient core services. Young people are leaving because of high housing costs and limited opportunity. I’ll slash bureaucratic hurdles, expand Opportunity Zones, and partner with private builders for hundreds of attainable units while cutting property taxes. Attract defense, cyber, and drone jobs linked to the Fort. On day one, declare Sierra Vista America’s first Veteran City and expand healthcare and career programs. Review all services for efficiency, fix critical roads, and ensure transparency so rate hikes don’t keep shocking families. Address panhandling with reasonable time and place rules that protect safety while directing people to real help. Straight talk and results freedom, prosperity, and opportunity for all.
Campaign Phone
520-394-5390
Public Policy Priorities
Small Business Support, Public Safety Support, Veteran Support, Responsible Growth, Economic Development/Diversification and Youth Engagement
Qualifications and Experience
5 years as a City Councilman, 21 years as an Active Duty Soldier with years of leadership positions to include 2 combat deployments and 9 years as a government contractor, 25 years as a Dad
Memberships & Affiliations
National League of Cities, VFW Post 9972, American Legion Post 52, Huachuca Museum Society, Cochise Serving Veterans, Huachuca Cavalry Association
Endorsements
Professional Firefighters of Sierra Vista L4492, Rural Arizona Action
Community Service
Smoke Detector Check Program with Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services, Sierra Vista Youth Council, Thunderbolt Youth Triathlon, Sierra Vista United School District, Team Red, White & Blue- Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista, Avengers Inclusion Organization
I will always market our city as somewhere businesses of all sizes can thrive. But I will never put profit/revenue over our valuable local resources such as water and open skies. I believe that responsible growth is good, but to ensure our overall sustainability, our focus should be revitalization vs outward expansion. We need to continue partnerships with Cochise County, Bureau of Land Management and Fort Huachuca to ensure that we are good stewards of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA).
My top budget priorities will be to ensure that our city employees who are a huge part of why our city is successful and safe, are properly compensated and afforded the benefits that support their families in the best way possible so that they want to remain here in our city. Other priorities will be the upgrades and maintenance needed to city roads, city infrastructure and vehicles to ensure that the citizens of our city continue to receive high-quality services and support. Finally, quality of life and sports tourism often share the same space in our city, so it is important that we continue to maintain those areas throughout our city as well as continue to make them more energy efficient.
To ensure transparency, I will continue to do my best to keep our community informed on decisions being made at council meetings or public comment opportunities so that they always know that they have a say in the process and an opportunity to be part of democracy at work. Not having a dedicated news channel or daily newspaper can be a challenge in a community our size, but I will continue to meet the people wherever they are, whether that be out in public, at council meetings, virtual meetings or on social media so that they remain informed.
I will continue to respond directly to our residents via phone, email or visiting them at their residences to ensure that I fully understand any challenges they may be facing. I will also continue to take a regional approach and partner with neighboring cities and towns because we should never be in competition with them but rather collaborate with them as a team. I will continue to follow and stay abreast of decisions our County Board of Supervisors are making, especially when their decisions directly affect our city.
I think one of the most important issues facing our community is economic growth and stability during a time when the prices of everything continue to rise with no end in sight. Fiscal environments such as that, affect both businesses and consumers and both are trying to save money where they can. As a city we cannot support this issue directly with taxpayer money, but we can ensure that we are waiving fees where we can, being as flexible as possible in terms of billing or lending, and as Mayor I will make sure those things happen. Another important issue facing our community is economic development in terms of small businesses being taken advantage of by absentee landlords who do not live in our community and prefer the tax break of an empty building over supporting a small business. As Mayor I will explore every avenue possible to make it less comfortable for those land/building owners who have taken advantage of our community for far too long.
