About
Hard Work. Grit. Resilience.
Many people ask if I am originally from Tucker because of my dedication to our community. While it is true that I’ve lived more than half my life here, I was born at NAS Millington to a young, enlisted Marine from Connecticut and a mother from Tennessee who worked at a local clothing store. We moved to my dad’s childhood home where we lived with my grandparents in what would now be called a multi-generational home.
My father became a Connecticut State Trooper and overtime was promoted through the ranks of the Army Reserves to retire as a colonel. He served in the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. My mother worked as a secretary and volunteered with our school PTA and with the youth education classes at our Church.
I share all of this, so you know that how I was raised has shaped who I am today. I learned to have grit and be resilient in the face of adversity from watching my parents. They made sacrifices so my younger sister, a Tucker veterinarian and business owner, and I could have advantages in life that they did not. We were taught to work hard and serve others before ourselves. You can see those principles weaved throughout my life whether in my 28 years of calling Tucker home or in my professional career.
When my husband Ted and I moved to the Winding Woods neighborhood, little did we know the people of Tucker would become our family. Like many of you, we moved here because it was a place we could afford, it was accessible to our jobs and not too far outside the Perimeter. It quickly became so much more. You’ve supported me when my mother passed away right when the city was getting started and through Ted’s journey with his vision loss. That’s the Tucker Way – putting aside our differences for the good of the community and supporting each other!
Public and Professional Experience
I think it’s important for you to see what I bring to the table and for you to know I am ready to serve as Tucker’s mayor on Day One.
Key role during Tucker’s cityhood movement and set-up
Tucker City Council, elected two terms (term-limited)
Mayor Pro Tem and Council Rep to the Development Authority
DeKalb Planning Commissioner and Community Council Member
Leadership DeKalb ‘14/Served as Board Member
Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute (RLI) Graduate
Georgia Economic Development Association Member
Communities in Schools Atlanta/Served as Board Member
DeKalb County Women’s Commission Stakeholder Committee
Tucker-Northlake CID Master Plan Steering Committee
Tucker Civic Association/Served as Board Member
DeKalb County Neighborhood Watch for the Winding Woods neighborhood
Winding Woods Garden Club/Served as Board Member
Tucker Optimist Club
American Legion Auxiliary Member Tucker’s Joe Pritchett Post #207
Northlake Community Alliance / Served as Board Member
Friend of the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District (CID) Award
DeKalb County Commission District One Trailblazer Award
DeKalb County Commission District Seven Hidden Figures Award
Career
I’m currently the public affairs director for one of Tucker’s largest employers working with elected officials and communities across the state.
Previously I was a communications and issues management strategist working with clients across a broad range of sectors including government, transportation, economic development, real estate, education and non-profit organizations. I’ve also worked behind the scenes as a trusted adviser for many metro Atlanta regional milestones and crises.
Earlier in my career I spent a decade at Stone Mountain Middle School teaching English, Social Studies and life-long lessons, as well as being department chair. I was named Teacher of the Year and remain a mentor to several of my former students.
I’m also a proud University of Georgia (ABJ) and Mercer University (M.Ed.) graduate.