I’ve been a Carolinian all my life — it just took me 55 years to figure it out. This community is where I feel most at home, and it’s the place that shaped my values: hard work, responsibility, and showing up for the people around me.

My path has taken me from earning a chemical engineering degree at the University of Michigan to completing my MBA at the University of Chicago. That mix of technical training and business experience shaped the way I solve problems and make decisions. Over the years, I’ve worked on projects that demanded both creativity and discipline — including earning a patent for fat-free mayonnaise and leading the construction of a resin plant in High Point, North Carolina. Those experiences taught me how to innovate, manage complex operations, and deliver results that matter in the real world.

One of my earliest research assignments at Kraft Foods was developing a reverse osmosis system to separate protein from the cheese-making waste stream, whey. That technology is still relevant today — it remains one of the most effective tools for addressing water contamination, including the challenges our own region is facing. Understanding these systems firsthand gives me a practical perspective on environmental and infrastructure issues affecting our communities.

I retired at 60 due to health concerns, and I was fortunate to be diagnosed with heart issues before serious damage occurred. After successful surgery, I felt thirty years younger. Not long after, I bought an electric vehicle and decided to spend my time driving for Uber. It turned out to be a life-changing experience. Before rideshare driving, I was very introverted. But meeting people across Columbus, Brunswick, and New Hanover counties taught me how to truly talk with people — and more importantly, how to listen. It gave me a new way to serve the community and opened my eyes to how essential reliable transportation is for everyday life. Technology is changing fast, and our counties need to be ready to adopt the tools that will keep our communities connected and moving forward.

I’m the proud father of three adult sons, all successful in their own lives and spread out across the country. Watching them grow into the men they are today has been one of my greatest joys and a constant reminder of why strong communities and real opportunities matter.

I’m running because I believe our district deserves steady, practical leadership — someone who listens, someone who works, and someone who understands that good decisions come from clear thinking and genuine connection to the people you serve. This is my home, and I’m committed to helping it thrive.

I am not a career politician. I don’t believe our republic was ever meant to be run by career politicians. We need civil servants with real-world experience who can solve problems one at a time. I’m running as a Democrat, but I want to be clear: I will not be beholden to the Raleigh Republicans — and I will not be beholden to the Raleigh Democrats either. A republic works best when representatives listen to the people who sent them there and focus on making their communities better. We are losing that system to national interests, and I intend to push back and fight for our community.