A piece of artwork once distributed during a Maplewood City Council campaign was originally created years earlier, at age 17, while serving as Student Council President at Arlington High School. Though created long ago, many of the ideas captured in that piece remain deeply connected to the values that continue to guide me today. What began as an early interest in service quietly became a lifelong commitment to community.
 

Across a variety of professional paths, one constant has remained—a pull toward what my wife often calls “free work.” No matter the role, there has always been a sense of responsibility to contribute to something larger than oneself, rooted in care for family, friends, and community. The late Paul Wellstone, once said, “we all do better when we all do better.” That belief has shaped years of public service in Maplewood and continues to inform a leadership approach grounded in collaboration, shared progress, and accountability.
 

This work is guided by a belief in working alongside people, listening first, and valuing differences in perspective and lived experience. Progress comes from finding common ground and focusing on the core values that guide decisions and actions.
 

The work ahead is about partnership—with residents and businesses alike—to ensure Maplewood continues to flourish in the years to come. The goal is a city that people choose for its opportunity, its sense of belonging, and its quality of life. The commitment remains clear: putting people before politics and choosing what is right, even when it is not easy.