Accomplishments
Proven Record. Collaborative Approach.
Commonsense Solutions.
I am proud of a resume that includes Stone Mountain Middle School Teacher of the Year, leadership roles on various county commissions and community volunteer organizations, a key role in the Tucker Cityhood initiative, plus two terms on Tucker’s City Council. I have a proven record of bringing people together to get things done with commonsense solutions—no matter my title or role. The highlights below are a partial list that reflects both my focused leadership and the power of working closely with others to support our entire City.
Community Safety
- Strengthened city ordinances to protect Tucker from nuisance businesses, properties, and signage. Listening to commercial property owners and gaining consensus for unanimous council approval on many measures.
- Instituted restrictions on linear lighting, feather flags, parking lot drop boxes, massage establishments, and coin-operated amusement devices to clean up our community and to protect legitimate businesses from the harmful impacts of those attracting illegal activity.
- Partnered with city staff, police and neighbors to eliminate criminal activity in neighborhoods across Tucker, including from homes being used as boarding houses and Airbnb party houses.
- Helped facilitate removal and redevelopment of extended stay motel with unsafe living conditions while also making sure resources were available to place people in more stable housing.
Housing & Redevelopment
- Approved two affordable senior independent living communities and other housing options for seniors and differently abled adults.
- Consistently brought neighbors and developers together to address specific concerns and establish clear conditions on redevelopment projects.
- Established design standards for new residential and commercial projects as conditions on rezonings to reflect community priorities.
- Negotiated workforce housing requirements for new multifamily residences.
- Supported Tucker Downtown Master Plan, Tucker Northlake Livable Centers Initiative, Lawrenceville Highway Revitalization Ordinance, Mountain Industrial Corridor Study, Housing Studies and other key plans shaping citywide revitalization and lifelong community growth.
Infrastructure Improvements
- Invested in additional funding, beyond SPLOST dollars, for consistent road resurfacing with systematic and fair prioritization process.
- Advocated for completion of Henderson Road sidewalks and downtown Tucker sidewalks, legacy DeKalb County projects that experienced long delays.
- Pushed for focus on pedestrian and bike safety, as well as roadway safety, in all transportation related plans.
- Prioritized sidewalks, especially in areas where residents/employees must walk out of necessity and sidewalk gaps along connector roads and commercial corridors.
- Helped lead effort to establish Tucker’s Public Works Department to enhance service levels and prioritize critical improvements especially related to stormwater issues.
- Secured money from DeKalb County in support of the Lake Erin Dam Rehabilitation project, traffic light at Smoke Rise Elementary School/Hugh Howell and work completed by the city to replace a damaged waterline in the same area.
Community Engagement
- Led two years of community outreach for Tucker Cityhood, culminating in a referendum with over 73% approval.
- Directed Public Works and Stormwater referendum engagement, resulting in 75% voter approval.
- Created idea for Tucker University of Government Affairs to educate and empower our citizens.
- Created idea for City Council 101 videos to provide for a quick overview of upcoming council meetings.
- As a public affairs director, I conduct public meetings in communities across the state. I’ll bring my experience and best practices to enhance and expand Tucker’s community engagement to ensure a consistent process no matter the topic or project.
Supporting Youth & Schools
- As a former teacher, I met families where they lived, providing support including temporary housing solutions when needed.
- Advocated for and supported new sidewalks, traffic signals and safety improvements around our schools.
- Participated in Scout merit badge interviews, Eagle Scout projects, youth city budget workshop, career days, classroom activities and PTO initiatives.
- Sponsor of Tucker High School Foundation, Tucker youth sports and the DeKalb County Police Athletic League.
Parks & The Arts
- Early donor and volunteer with Friends of Tucker Parks.
- Helped acquire additional park land, including expansions to Tucker Nature Preserve (bee habitat) and Henderson Park, a pocket park in the Westwood Neighborhood, and Fitzgerald Field.
- Supported citywide park renovations, including playground replacements and facility upgrades.
- Main Street Theatre donor since inception and advocated for Tucker Rec Center improvements to support productions.
- Promoted public art integration in redevelopment and public spaces, including along the Tucker Trail.