Title: Mayor

Municipality: Southern Pines

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?

In 2021, as a newly elected Council Member, I quickly realized how much I had to learn to effectively serve my community. The NC League of Municipalities is an invaluable resource that I wish I had become more involved in as soon as I was elected. I have focused on local involvement with the benefit of training through the League & UNC School of Gov.

Over the past five years, I’ve benefited from the League’s advocacy, educational opportunities, and network of experienced local leaders. Those experiences have not only strengthened my ability to lead locally but have also deepened my appreciation for the importance of collaboration across municipalities.

I would welcome the opportunity to give back by contributing my perspective, supporting other emerging leaders, and helping strengthen the League’s impact and influence in advocating for municipalities across North Carolina.

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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?

In my time as an elected official, I have discovered a strong passion for policy and governance, along with the importance of building relationships to effectively serve my community. I have developed strong connections with neighboring mayors and took the initiative to establish a quarterly Mayor/Manager meeting in Moore County, creating a collaborative space to share challenges, align efforts, and strengthen regional cooperation. I served as chair of our Municipal Planning Organization for two years including its founding year. Working alongside town & county leaders, establishing founding documents and a voting structure that is fair and proportionate to various town sizes was challenging but our board has since moved into a "norming" phase where we all work well together for the benefit of Southern Moore County. Last year, I discovered the NC Mayors Association, which I have found to be such a supportive group for my role as Mayor.

Since I have been Mayor, our council has completed numerous items which my campaigns promised: we eliminated the wasteful primary election, updating our Comprehensive Land Use Plan, continue to implement our Unified Development Ordinances to reflect community values, updating our national historic register with under-represented communities grant (finally marking some of our historic building in West Southern Pines) and recently purchased our first official Town Hall.
I have also built and maintained meaningful relationships with state and federal leaders, including former Rep. Jamie Boles, Rep. Ben Moss, Rep. Neal Jackson, Sen. Tom McInnis, and Congressman Richard Hudson. These relationships have allowed me to confidently engage with state and national leadership on behalf of my community.

My professional background as a financial planner, combined with extensive experience serving on nonprofit boards, has enabled me to quickly build local influence and contribute meaningfully to community initiatives. At the same time, I have come to recognize that effectively supporting municipalities requires strong leadership at the state level. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my experience, collaborative mindset, and commitment to service to support other municipalities through a leadership role with the NCLM.

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

I consider myself a lifetime learner so my education and experiences are constantly evolving along with my work and interests. I have both an Associates and Master's degree in Business Administration, a Certification as a Financial Advisor (and Yoga Instructor). I have served on boards throughout Moore County, including the Boys and Girls Club, as a founding member of a local charter school and now on a historic theater preservation group. My board work is often in a financial role though it has evolved to include more governance. I recently applied and was accepted to the Campaign School at Yale because my heart is in public service and I want to prepare myself for the campaigns required to continue that work. I will attend their Summer 2026 session in New Haven, Conn this June.

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

• NC Mayor Meeting

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

I have three sons and help my husband run a small, but nationally recognized boutique guitar store and teaching studio. I left my career, after 10 years in finance, in 2015 to focus on family and help start our family business, Casino Guitars. I continue to work as a mostly silent partner but it is my husband's passion and our sales and respect among peers reflect that. 

We live above our business in the heart of Southern Pines. We were featured on a local special on PBS (It's a Beautiful Day in Pinehurst) in June 2024 highlighting the diversity of the communities around Pinehurst. I think Southern Pines reflects many qualities of NC as a whole. We are a tiny metropolitan area in the heart of a rural county, politically we are a purple town, and we have a wonderful mix of retirees, golf enthusiasts, military families, musicians and horse people integrated into our local community. I have recently been offered an opportunity to return to my career in finance, in a capacity which prioritizes family and my obligations as Mayor. My schedule is busy, but I think that is true for all elected officials. My goal is to fill my days with the things that bring me joy and I think leadership with the League would do that. I have an interest in running for higher office but not until my children are older (my youngest turns 8 in May.)

Interviews on Thursday: I have a tour of the White House scheduled at 8am. For our country's 250th anniversary, I decided to take my kids to DC for Spring Break. If I am selected for a video call on Thursday, I will be calling from there. Any advance notice on the time of call would help me to be in an office or at least stationary rather than walking around the Mall or a museum. Cheers, Taylor.