Voters deserve to know the process and values of the people they’re electing to represent them.

My process as your Councilmember will be thoughtful and inclusive. That means listening carefully to constituents, consulting with city staff and experts, meeting with stakeholders, and researching every issue thoroughly. This is how we will solve hard problems together, and how good leaders ensure they are doing the right thing for their community. In a time when too many forces try to divide us, this process ensures every voice is heard for the benefit of all of Lakewood.

My values are shaped by my service in the United States Air Force: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Integrity First means doing the right thing, even when it’s hard or no one is watching. It’s about honesty, transparency, and making decisions rooted in fairness rather than politics or personal gain.  Service Before Self is the belief that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege. I’m committed to putting the needs of our community ahead of my own, listening before speaking, and working tirelessly to ensure Lakewood remains a place where families thrive.  Excellence in All We Do reflects my dedication to thoughtful, careful leadership. I will approach every issue with rigor, respect for diverse perspectives, and a determination to find real solutions that work for our community not just today, but for the long term.  These are the values I carry into every room, every conversation, and every decision.

Homelessness is not just about housing. It’s about rebuilding lives.

Some will tell you there’s a simple answer to homelessness. There isn’t. And if we treat homelessness as a one-dimensional problem, we’ll continue to try one-dimensional solutions that don’t work. Instead, we must take a holistic approach that pays attention to the many deeper, core issues fueling the homelessness crisis: mental health crises, substance abuse, economic instability, and a shortage of truly affordable housing. We can’t solve one without addressing the others. 

Here are some specific approaches I will take as your next Councilmember:

• • Where appropriate, I will advocate for Community Courts that show compassion while also requiring accountability. In short, community courts offer treatment and service options in lieu of incarceration. They are not appropriate in all cases, but I saw the power of these courts while working at the Tacoma Prosecutor’s Office and will be a strong proponent of them on the Lakewood City Council.

• • I will vote to fund and support Behavioral Health Contact Teams that pair police officers with mental health professionals, connecting people in crisis to services instead of cycling them through jail or the ER.

• • I will vote not just to build more affordable housing, but to make housing more affordable to build. Development is often prohibitively expensive, but our city needs lots of it.  As a Regional Growth Center, Lakewood must add 9,378 new housing units by 2044, including at least 574 emergency housing units. The city is currently partnering with LASA to build 25 new affordable homes at a cost of $13 million, but that does not make a meaningful dent in the supply we need. We must create a more attractive development environment that encourages building all housing types—not just apartments.

When we focus on restoring lives, providing comprehensive behavioral health support, and creating housing more affordably as outlined above, we create real pathways out of crisis—not just for today, but for generations to come.

Public safety is the first promise of local government. Families can’t thrive, businesses can’t grow, and neighborhoods can’t flourish if people don’t feel secure in their homes, on their streets, and in their parks.

In Lakewood, crime is down 19% year over year, but many of our residents don’t feel safe. Our police force is working hard, but public safety isn’t just about policing—it’s about building a community where neighbors look out for one another, where kids have safe places to play, and where opportunity replaces desperation. It means investing in the things that prevent crime in the first place like youth programs, third spaces, and strong community partnerships. I will be a strong proponent of such initiatives, including a multigenerational center and recreational space in the Colonial Center, and advocating for better and more access to Fort Steilacoom Park.

In short, as your Councilmember, I’ll work to ensure Lakewood remains a place where every resident feels safe—not just some of the time, but all of the time; not just in some neighborhoods, but in every neighborhood. Because safety isn’t about politics; it’s about people. It’s about protecting who and what we love, together.

When I walk through our neighborhoods, I see families working hard to build a future. I see veterans and seniors who have given their best years to this community and want nothing more than to stay close to the people and places they love. And I see young people just starting out, eager for a chance to plant roots of their own.

I also see the strain. A family saving for a home that keeps slipping out of reach. A neighbor forced to leave the house they’ve lived in for decades because it no longer fits their needs. A young worker who wants to stay in the city where they grew up but can’t find a place they can afford. These are not just personal struggles; they are signs of a community out of balance.

That’s why Lakewood must embrace multi-modal housing that all stages of life. This isn’t about buildings—it’s about belonging. It’s about making sure the teacher who serves our kids can live near her classroom, the firefighter who protects our families can raise his own family here, and the grandparent who built this community can remain part of it. As the former CEO of a real estate consulting firm, I look forward to working with you to make this dream a reality.

Multi-modal housing is the way we keep Lakewood strong. More than that, though, it sends a message about who we are: that in this city, we don’t turn our backs on each other. Here, there is a place for everyone.