Hometown

I grew up in Sandhurst in West Ashley.

Professional background (including any former elected office)

I have never served in nor run for an elected office. After graduating from law school, I worked in both the state and federal court systems, helping judges solve complex legal issues. After that, I worked for several years with one of South Carolina’s largest law firms on nationwide litigation. Now, I own a small business in West Ashley, where I focus my legal practice on other small businesses and individuals, assisting them in business, personal injury, contract, and real estate disputes. I have advocated for hundreds of clients over the years, and I want to advocate for the residents and small businesses of District 9 and West Ashley on Charleston City Council.

What do you feel are the most important issues West Ashley is facing?

The most important issues facing West Ashley are population growth, aging infrastructure, and the loss of a sense of community.

How would you address those issues?

The City Council must be proactive and thoughtful about development, infrastructure, and revitalizing the sense of community the people who have lived in Charleston for many decades remember fondly. As a member of Charleston City Council, I will use my lifetime of experience in the West Ashley community to work productively with other members to craft solutions to these problems. First, focusing on putting mixed-use properties in the appropriate areas is critical. The blighted commercial property along Sam Rittenberg Boulevard is ideal for repurposing and revitalization. Imagine an area where people can walk to work or to the store and not have to sit in traffic. In order to facilitate this, the City must address bottlenecks in its review processes and engage property owners cooperatively about upgrading needed infrastructure, including streetscaping and stormwater infrastructure. Second, City Council must prioritize community-building in West Ashley. The City must focus on providing meaningful resources to revamp West Ashley’s parks, revitalize and strengthen the City’s recreational services, and further empower neighborhood associations.

How do you feel about development plans for the former Piggly Wiggly site?

The Piggly Wiggly site is a community resource, and as somebody who is within walking distance from it, I want a usable public space to take my family and meet with my neighbors on a beautiful day. I’ve talked to hundreds of people in District 9 about this site. Everybody is tired of looking at the eyesore that sits there now and is frustrated by how long it’s taken the City to put together a plan. The overwhelming sentiment is that people do not want a gas station or even a park–especially when the City struggles to maintain the many parks that already exist in the area. People want access to restaurants and community. They remember Piggly Wiggly as the place that employed their children and where they saw their neighbors. I will support the plan that best restores this in the shortest period of time.

Why did you decide to run for council?

I decided to run for City Council because I am witnessing the part of West Ashley I've lived in my whole life backslide compared to the Charleston region. With so much focus on Downtown, we’re seeing new restaurants and businesses open across the Ashley River, and vacant storefronts and empty parking lots in the heart of our community. This is personal for me. I want my two boys to enjoy the same sense of community that I grew up in. We can achieve that. District 9 and West Ashley need a leader with the necessary vision, creativity, tenacity, and interest. I believe I have the necessary experience and background to advocate for the residents of District 9.