My Platform.

It’s not just about the issues, but how we tackle each issue.  I recognize that the City Council works as a body to move each challenge forward.

Leadership.

Like many of you, I wear a lot of different hats as a husband, father, homeowner, business owner, coach, and Pastor. I understand that supporting those who keep our communities safe is a top priority.

Public safety, public education and public health are all vital to our communities. Together we are facing challenges that require civility and collaboration to move things forward.

Community.

My Great Grandmother told me when I was young, “good manners and respect will always take you further than money.” She is the inspiration that continues to guide me everyday. I built our family business and my life in Virginia Beach around the principles she taught me, one of the most valuable is civility.

I believe civility leads with a respect and regard for others. Local government may be a place to fight for good ideas, but it is not a battleground, it is a place where we reach toward shared goals.  Civility is a commitment and it is one I make to our families and to our city.

Integrity.

We often hear, “there is no I in TEAM, however, there is an I in WIN.” I learned you need a team to win and collaboration is the best way to make that happen.

Collaboration is not always easy or popular, in fact in a time of partisanship it is often the first casualty. We must renew and expand our city’s legacy of teamwork for our families and those who seek us out. I believe this, and I commit to it personally and politically. Collaboration will be my method on city council for the good of all the people of Virginia Beach.

My Issues.

These are the issues I want to address.  As a leader, I understand that it is my job to focus on the what is most important to the people, and empower the City Council so they have the information they need to make decisions.

Small Business / Economic Development

  • Provide more resources for start-ups and entrepreneurs

  • Lower the tax burden on business owners

  • Identify resources and tools to assist business owners who want to expand their companies in the region

  • Create workshops for residents interested in starting a local business

  • Help existing job creators grow and expand in the city

Education

  • Support for pre-school and after-school programming

  • Work with parents to identify additional resources to better aid their children

  • Support an extension of global academic programs for students

  • Advocate and support our teachers. Recognize them for their outstanding efforts

  • Work to create district-wide mentoring programs

  • Offer more apprenticeships and work force development programs

Public Safety

  • Work to support Police, Fire and EMT across the district

  • Advocate for increased funding to hire, train, and retain top talent for these departments

  • Create lines of communication for better collaboration

  • Address bay front concerns

Mental Health Reform

  • Support programs to identify and treat mental health concerns in public schools

  • Improve access and delivery of mental health services

  • Increase public awareness to help end the stigma surrounding mental health

Environment & Sustainability

  • Work on sand and beach replenishment projects

  • Support funding for both short-term strategies and long-term plans

  • Work with state and federal officials to address coastal flooding and sea level rise

  • Increase public knowledge of the flood mitigation plans and goals

  • Work with the community to preserve our historic trees and living shorelines

We are here to help.

Contact

Phone: (757) 675-1524