Difficult times require leaders to think differently; to approach things with heart and conviction, not just focus on the bottom line.

As a child, I was raised impoverished by a single mother with five siblings. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a local small business owner. I have experienced my fair share difficult times over the years as I built my business from the ground up with my brother. Finally, I am father who most recently lost my 17-year-old daughter in a tragic car accident. These hard times continue to shape who I am as a person and greatly affect who I am as a leader.

I am sensitive to the issues and struggles my community and neighbors face. I care about the single mother whose water bill weighs heavy on her mind every month. I care about the families working hard to provide for their children every day, waking up early to shower, brush their teeth and get out the door for work and school. At the end of those faucets, these are real people.