Title: City Council Member

Municipality: Laurinburg

Positions Interested In: District #7 Representative; At Large - Elected Officials

Q&A's:

TELL US WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION AT THE LEAGUE. IN PARTICULAR, SPECIFY GOALS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH AS AN OFFICER OR BOARD MEMBER AND INDICATE HOW, IF ATTAINED, THEY WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE VISION 2030 – THE LEAGUE’S FUTURE VISION OF HOW CITIES AND TOWNS WILL OPERATE IN 2030?

I am seeking a second term representing District 7 on the NCLM Board of Directors. I understand the challenges municipalities continue to face with changing demographics, aging/deteriorating infrastructure needs, and uncertain politics. The General Assembly’s actions regarding housing and land use and property tax reform will impact all cities, regardless of size. I understand that we must all work together, locally, regionally, statewide, and even on the national level to address these challenges. My goals are to continue to be an ambassador for the resources and opportunities the League provides including technical and financial management assistance for smaller municipalities, to support our policy agenda and legislative agenda, and to support the efforts of all cities to get closer to the achievement of Vision 2030. I would also like to continue to be a part of the discussion/decision-making for the future of the property the League owns in downtown Raleigh.

I am proud of the leadership role the League assumed in Western NC immediately after Hurricane Helene, working with the Association of County Commissioners, the Regional Councils, and the Governor to ensure that relief and recovery efforts were coordinated and happened as quickly as possible. The League’s ability to provide such swift assistance in a totally unexpected natural disaster is a testament to the importance of the League’s Vision 2030 and using it as a blueprint for strengthening cities. The appointment of our executive director to a seat on the board of the Governor’s Resiliency Office in Western North Carolina is another example of the significance of the efforts of the League.

The privilege of serving on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board of Directors for the past two years has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I have seen firsthand the support the League provides to all municipalities. Additionally, serving on the Finance Committee provided me with the opportunity to become more engaged with my fellow board members while learning more about our financial position, our sources of revenue/expenses, Risk Management, ARP funding, and investments.

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL. YOU MAY WANT TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON YOUR SERVICE ON THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNING BODY, OTHER RELATED BOARDS AND SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST?

I was elected to the Laurinburg City Council in November 2011 and am currently serving in my fourth term. I represented Laurinburg as Mayor Pro Tem from 2015-2019. Council appointed me to represent the City on the Laurinburg Maxton Airport Commission in 2015 and the Lumber River Council of Government (LRCOG) in 2016.

As chairman of the LRCOG, I led the development of the COG’s first strategic plan and the construction of a low-income housing complex during the COVID 19 pandemic. I continue to serve on the LRCOG as a member of the executive committee and NC Association of Regional Councils of Government FORUM alternate member. The Scotland County Commissioners appointed me to the Lumber River RPO Transportation Advisory Committee as the representative for the municipalities in our county. I continue to serve on the COG and the RPO Transportation Advisory Committee. Of major importance to the City of Laurinburg is the planning for future Interstate 74, which will bring more economic development opportunities to our city, county, and region.

The Laurinburg Maxton Airport Commission was dissolved by legislation in December 2020. The Mayor of Laurinburg appointed me to the newly created Southeastern Regional Airport Authority. I have served as Vice-Chairman and currently serve as Secretary, co-leading the Authority through a variety of challenges including the hiring of an executive director, the acquisition of the Fixed Base Operations, the planning for a 2,000 square foot runway extension, taxiway improvements, water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, and improving the customer experience at the airport. This process involved working closely (and continuing to work closely) with our state legislators, DOT, Division of Aviation, and local governments. Our new terminal, T-hangers, and corporate hangers are projected to be completed by the end of 2026. The airport has become a major driver for economic development in our region.

My interest as a member of Council has always been for the city to provide quality services for our citizens, engage our citizens in our community challenges and successes, while trying to maintain an affordable tax rate. During my tenure as a council member, Laurinburg has become an award-winning member of the Main Street program, retail development has exploded, we have supported recruiting and retaining quality employees, and prioritized aging water/wastewater/electrical infrastructure improvement projects.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, AND/OR COMMUNITY OR CIVIC ACTIVITIES?

I received a BS degree from East Carolina University, a Master of Education from Campbell University, and additional certifications in Administration, Supervision, and Curriculum at UNC-Pembroke. My career includes serving as a Juvenile Court Counselor, elementary and middle school Guidance Counselor, elementary, middle, and high school Assistant Principal, elementary Principal, and high school Dean of Students.

Throughout my career and during my tenure on council, I have participated in courses, workshops, and conferences to further my knowledge and understanding, and to increase my ability to make informed decisions. I believe that working together and building partnerships locally, regionally, and statewide is the best way to provide resources and opportunities for our citizens.

My community/civic experience includes volunteering with Hospice, Rotary Club, the Scotland Family Counseling Center fundraising committee, and the Scotland County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. I serve as President of the Scotland Stadium Civic Center Board of Directors and am a past member of the Richmond Community College Board of Trustees.

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HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING NCLM EVENTS OR COMMITTEES?

• CityVision Annual Conference
• Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
• NCLM Board of Directors Finance Committee

PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER?

Thank you for the opportunity to submit my nomination to continue to represent District 7 on the Board of Directors of the League of Municipalities. Please review my resume and consider my letters of support.