My Platform

Who are you?

I'm a lifelong Hartsvillian and fourth-generation entrepreneur who believes deeply in our community's potential. Before becoming mayor, I spent nearly a decade as a research chemist at Sonoco, co-founded Wild Heart Brewing—our city's first craft brewery—and started Bear Squared, an IT consulting firm helping local small businesses modernize their operations.

I didn't come from a political background, but I did come from a place of service. I served as chair of our Planning Commission and on boards for other organizations because I saw challenges that needed addressing and opportunities to be an even better city.

My platform is straightforward: unify Hartsville and invest fairly to improve the quality of life for every citizen. When I was elected in 2021, I said it plainly—Hartsville is still socially, economically, and racially divided, and I was elected to work on closing that gap earnestly.

Everything we do in this administration is guided by that mission. Whether it's infrastructure improvements, economic development, or public safety initiatives, we're working to ensure that growth and opportunity reach every neighborhood and every family in our city.

What are some of Hartsville’s biggest challenges and how have you addressed them?

As I said, our biggest issue is the divide within our own community—economic disparity, neglected neighborhoods, and the reality that opportunity hasn't been distributed equally across Hartsville. This isn't just a moral issue; it's a practical one. A city can't reach its full potential when entire corridors are left behind.

We're addressing this through our 2025 Master Plan, which was built on extensive public input from every corner of Hartsville. Our approach has three key components:

First, targeted neighborhood revitalization—we're investing in historically neglected areas with infrastructure improvements, supporting business development in underserved corridors, and creating safe, walkable connections between all parts of our city.

Second, equitable economic development—we're ensuring new jobs and business opportunities benefit the whole community. That means supporting small businesses citywide, improving access to entrepreneurship resources, and recruiting employers who offer pathways to the middle class.

Third, collaborative problem-solving—from joining the county's youth task force to partnering with organizations fighting childhood hunger, we're bringing people together across lines that have historically divided us. Real unity comes from working side-by-side on shared challenges.

Hartsville’s Master Plan 2025 noted how important the economy and bringing new jobs to the city is. What is your strategy to bring more businesses and jobs to the area?

My strategy draws directly from my experience as both a Sonoco employee and a small business owner—I understand what employers need and what makes a community attractive for investment.

First, we're creating the foundation businesses need to succeed: quality infrastructure, streamlined permitting processes, and diverse housing options for their workforce. You can't attract good employers without the basics in place.

Second, we're leveraging our unique assets: Hartsville is home to Sonoco's headquarters, the SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, and Coker University, and several other medium-sized companies with high-tech processes. We have an educated, skilled workforce and a strong manufacturing heritage, but we need it to be bigger. We're marketing these advantages aggressively while highlighting our quality of life—our downtown revitalization, our growing cultural amenities, and our small-city charm.

Third, we're supporting homegrown entrepreneurship: Some of our best jobs will come from businesses that start here. Through façade grants, downtown development incentives, and business support services, we're making it easier for local entrepreneurs to launch and grow. I've walked that path myself with my businesses—I know firsthand the challenges and what local government can do to help.

Finally, we're strategic about recruitment: We're working with our economic development partners to target industries that align with our workforce strengths and offer genuine career pathways—advanced manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and logistics. We're not just chasing any jobs; we're pursuing employers who will pay competitive wages and invest in our community long-term.

The City’s master plan also touches on affordable housing. If you’re elected mayor, how will you bring more affordable housing to the city of Hartsville?

Affordable housing is essential to both our economic future and our goal of unity. We can't attract workers for good jobs if they can't afford to live here, and we can't claim to serve all citizens if housing costs price families out of stability.

Our approach includes several strategies:

Expanding housing diversity citywide: We need more housing options at multiple price points—not just luxury developments or subsidized housing, but workforce housing that serves teachers, healthcare workers, retail employees, and other essential members of our community. Our master plan supports zoning flexibility and incentives for developers who include affordable units in their projects.

Revitalizing existing housing stock: Many of our older neighborhoods have good bones but need investment. We're exploring programs for home repair assistance, working with nonprofits on rehabilitation projects, and addressing blight that depresses property values and livability in certain areas.

Public-private partnerships: The city can't solve this alone. We're fostering partnerships with developers, nonprofits, and housing authorities to leverage resources and expertise. This includes exploring funding sources for mixed-income developments and supporting community land trusts that can preserve long-term affordability.

Removing barriers: We're reviewing our entire book of codes and processes to streamline development while maintaining quality standards. Sometimes affordable housing struggles because the approval process is too slow or requirements are too rigid.

Strategic location: Affordable housing should be integrated throughout Hartsville, near jobs, schools, and services—not concentrated in one area. This supports both our housing goals and our broader vision of a unified, accessible city.

South Hartsville faces high crime rates and poverty issues. How do you plan to help revitalize South Hartsville and decrease crime in that area of the city?

South Hartsville and other economically depressed parts of town deserve the same investment, safety, and opportunity as every other part of our city. This requires both immediate action on public safety and long-term commitment to addressing root causes.

On public safety, we've taken a zero-tolerance approach to violent crime while strengthening law enforcement partnerships at local, state, and federal levels. Our Crime Reduction Unit targets high-concern areas, and we've worked to ensure our police have the resources and support they need. But enforcement alone isn't enough.

To address root causes, we're taking a comprehensive approach:

Youth investment: We joined the county task force on at-risk juveniles because we must intervene before young people turn to crime. We're developing mentorship programs, character-building initiatives, and positive pathways for youth. I've also worked to strengthen partnerships between schools, community organizations, and families to wrap support around our children.

Economic opportunity: Crime often flourishes where legitimate opportunity is scarce. We're working to bring businesses and jobs to South Hartsville, supporting local entrepreneurs, and ensuring workforce development programs reach residents who need them most.

Infrastructure and amenities: We're pursuing the same quality infrastructure for South Hartsville that other areas enjoy—better sidewalks for safe walking, improved lighting, connected pathways that increase mobility and visibility. The Washington Street path, for example, will better connect East and West Hartsville, creating safer routes and spurring investment.

Fighting hunger and poverty: Through the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger and working with organizations like Carolina's Kids, we're ensuring no child goes hungry. We're also addressing systemic barriers that trap families in poverty—access to healthcare, transportation, job training, and basic services.

Community engagement: Revitalization can't be done to South Hartsville; it must be done with South Hartsville. We're listening to residents, supporting community-led initiatives, and ensuring that people who live there have voice and ownership in the changes we're making.

This is exactly the kind of challenge I was elected to tackle—closing the gaps that divide our city and ensuring every neighborhood thrives.

Only when all of Hartsville looks like the best of Hartsville, can our city realize its truest, fullest potential.

This text was adapted from a candidate questionair prepared by WMBF News.