Title: Mayor

Municipality: Canton

Position Interested In: District Representative, District #12

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 would like to serve in a leadership position for the league to continue to advocate for North Carolina’s small towns, especially in the face of the multiple crises we are facing. Specifically affordability, hurricane recovery, managed growth, and infrastructure. To be blunt, if our towns are not growing economically the North Carolina of 2030 will be weaker.

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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?

Over the course of the last year, as a citizen and as Mayor, I have been part of a leadership team in Canton and Western North Carolina, that has guided us through numerous crisis which include Covid, Tropical Storm Fred, the closing of our largest manufacturer, and now Hurricane Helene. Though the challenges have been tremendous, we have survived by bringing people together, accountability, and doing it all in a bipartisan manner.

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

I am a proud graduate of Pisgah High school, Duke University, and Carolina Law. I was elected as an alderman in 2013 and as mayor in 2017. I am up for reelection this year. I have continually be engaged in all forms of civic activities and engagement. I’m also active in the American Flood Coalition that has played a major role in law being for resources in Washington and flood recovery.

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Have You Participated in Any NCLM Events or Committees? 

• CityVision Annual Conference

• Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days

• Regional Meetings

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

In my opinion, the two forces that will continue to shape the majority of our communities is affordability and flood recovery. The decisions we make, the strategies we pursue, and the manner in which we do it, will determine if we create a North Carolina that is stronger or weaker than the one we have now. I remain steadfast in my belief that one of the greatest strengths of this state is the League. I would love the opportunity to continue my service while I balance other responsibilities.