Title: Mayor

Municipality: Magnolia

Position Interested In: Second Vice President

Position Interested In: At Large - Elected Official

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 have learned much about the workings of municipal government since responding to that nudge from God to run for Mayor in 2023. Included in that new knowledge is the vital role the North Carolina League of Municipalities plays in its service to municipalities for both guidance and advocacy.

I have seen a number of the key challenges initially identified in the 2030 vision played out in my own small town of Magnolia. It has been my experience since becoming mayor that citizens do not understand the roles and responsibilities of municipalities, expect more for less, and are reluctant to support increased taxes and fees. I understand this mentality, though, as prior to becoming mayor, I had only ever been a consumer. We have made a concerted effort since my tenure began to educate our residents more about what is required to provide the services they expect but do not really understand. Our town is also struggling through a significant change in the demographics of our population. This has led to considerable division amongst our people. The town Board, staff and I are working diligently to find ways to bridge this divide. Magnolia was once a thriving town, but its rural nature and aging infrastructure and population has led to a downturn that has devastated it economically. These are just a few of the challenges we are working to overcome, and I know we are not alone.

Having had the opportunity to serve on the Legislative Policy Committee last year, I was able to learn first-hand the value of like-minded individuals gathering together to collaborate for the benefit of one and all. I have also experienced this in the various League-sponsored events I have had the benefit of attending. I can see the progress that has been made in the implementation of the five planning pillars by those that have gone before me, while at the same time, recognizing we have work still to do. I would consider it a great honor to be afforded the opportunity to serve on the Board as it continues to lead in accomplishing our shared vision.

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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 sworn in as Mayor of Magnolia in December 2023. I often get asked what life has been like since becoming mayor, and my answer is always, “It has been an education.” This is my first foray into municipal government, but I firmly believe everything I have done prior to answering the call to step into this arena has prepared me for such a time as this (see Esther 4:14).

It has been challenging, but in the best possible way. I have learned, and am still learning, so much. There have been good moments, and there have been bad moments, but, by far, the good outweighs the bad.

At the prompting of the former town manager, one of the first things I did after taking office, was to form a Mayor’s Advisory Council (MAC) for the purpose of disseminating information. To both receive it from the residents and, in turn, have it flow out to aid in being as transparent as possible.

We are also working to create unity amongst our residents where there has been division. This began with a rebranding of the town by creating a new town seal and logo. The magnolia flower symbolizes everlasting connections. People are often united when they come together for the purpose of realizing shared goals about which they are passionate, hence, the new tag line: Magnolia: Town of Everlasting Connections—People, Passion, Purpose.

Another endeavor has been addressing food insecurity. It began last summer after learning of children who were literally going hungry because they were no longer in school and had no access to food. I had known on a periphery level about this being an issue. However, being faced with it happening in my very own town to the children and families I have been called to represent created an urgency in my spirit that galvanized me into action. I do not take credit for the initiative, though, as it was brought to my attention by a local business owner who first learned of it. Together, we got the word out, and it was a community of volunteers working together, coupled with forming a partnership with our county’s summer feeding program, that led to our town becoming a local site for food distribution. That program actually ended up serving our elderly population as well in that our police chief would deliver meals we had left over each day to those on our wellness checklist. The town has plans to again partner with our county for the summer feeding program. Out of this initiative, I have also joined the Mayor’s Alliance to End Childhood Hunger.

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Tell us about your educational background, professional experience, and/or community or civic activities?

I do not have a college degree. I began attending community college after graduation from high school. I was studying paralegal technology with the intention of one day moving on to being an attorney. As life often does, my path took a different turn. I was offered an internship after completing my first year of school that turned into a full-time position. It was at that job that I met my husband. I worked in that field for a few years. Upon moving back to North Carolina, I secured a job working at IBM as an assistant to a finance officer.

When my husband and I decided to start a family, I transitioned into being a stay-at-home wife and mother. I was blessed to be able to volunteer in our daughter’s school throughout her tenure as a student.

For her first four years of elementary school, I volunteered in the classroom by reading to her class once per week. I also volunteered as a tutor to students who needed assistance with reading. I served on the PTA Board’s Cultural Arts Committee for those first four years as well. In middle school, I served on the PTA Board as VP of Communications for two years and President for one year.

Out of my daughter’s experiences with bullying, I helped to establish the first anti-bullying initiative for the school. This work led to my service on the Wake County Health and Wellness Committee for one year. It also led to working with the then mayor of Holly Springs to establish the Mayor’s Anti-Bullying Campaign, of which I served as co-chair for two years. We took this initiative into our local Holly Springs schools, served at local events and worked with other towns to help them take the program into their own schools.

Also in middle school, I served with my church’s middle school outreach that brought together approximately 400 middle schoolers weekly during the school year for the purpose of sharing God’s love with them.

During my daughter’s high school years, I served as president of the theatre company for three years.

I served on my church’s worship team for many years and also facilitated women’s small groups.

Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees? 

• CityVision Annual Conference

• Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days

• Legislative Goals Planning Events or Process

• Legislative Policy Committee

• North Carolina Mayor's Association

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Please provide any other information you would like the Nominations Committee to consider.

As a follower of Christ, I believe we are called to a life of service. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. I have endeavored to live my life that way and will bring that same philosophy to service on the Board if chosen to do so. I would consider it an honor and privilege.