I’m a proud US Army Veteran, serving in the Gulf War where I earned the Liberation of Kuwait medal. After the military I earned my Associates degree in Civil Engineering and then moved to South Carolina where I met my wife, Judy. I’m the father of three and we’ve called the Lowcountry home for almost 30 years now, living in Summerville for over 20 years. We love it’s natural beauty and lack of urban sprawl of other Lowcountry counties.
While working full time at Blackbaud I earned a B.A. in Computer Science from the College of Charleston and an M.B.A. from The Citadel. I consider myself fortunate to work for a company whose customers are all nonprofit organizations, knowing that my work contributes to their being able to help countless people and causes. I’ve personally volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Lowcountry Food Bank, Patriot Villas, Charleston Animal Society, Katie’s Krops, and multiple local schools. Leading by example is the best way to instill the value of volunteerism and activism in our children. If you can’t roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, then you can’t expect others to do it for you.
WHY I’M RUNNING
At work I always say that new employees are the best ones to identify problems and offer new solutions. They aren’t yet tainted by the traditions of their new job. Their fresh set of eyes allow them to question the “it’s always been done that way” processes tenured employees are blind to. I hope to bring a fresh set of eyes to Dorchester County Council as someone who has no connections to the development or housing industries, someone with no financial ties or obligations beyond my own household.
I promise to listen to everyone who wants to be heard. Not every problem can be easily resolved, sometimes not at all. But if something cannot be fixed I will let you know why and at least explain the process, because nothing is worse than being left in the dark. People are much more understanding if you simply allow them to be heard and treat them as equals. Explanations are better than excuses.