Where I’m From & How I Got Here

I was born in Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona and moved to Tucson in 2011 to attend graduate school at the University of Arizona (UA) after serving for two years with the Peace Corps in Ukraine as an Education Volunteer. I earned my B.A. in English from Northern Illinois University and my Master of Public Administration degree and Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from UA in 2013. I’ve worked in a variety of roles at UA and currently run the Peace Corps Prep program – encouraging students to pursue careers in public service. I met his wife Lexie – a native Tucsonan – during our service in the Peace Corps. She’s a UA, Pima Community College and Northern Arizona University alumna and works as a nurse. We have two amazing children together: an eight-year-old daughter and a five-year-old son.  

My experience

Throughout my life I have been committed to public service and servant leadership and have worked with the Tucson community in a variety of ways since moving here. I served as a board member with Tucson Young Professionals for several years and with SARSEF for a year. I’ve worked closely with the local startup community for years and understand the passion and energy that goes into trying to build something from nothing. I also learned firsthand the importance of learning from your successes and especially your failures. I was recently elected to my third term as President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Southern Arizona (aka the Desert Doves) – a local nonprofit membership organization supporting RPCVs in our area.

Over the past few years, building community and trying to bring people together has been a focus for me and something I want to prioritize as a council member. I am interested in exploring ways to get Tucsonans more involved in local government through participatory budgeting and forms of digital democracy. I want to ensure that the city is responsive to the needs of its residents, that people feel like they are being heard, and that local government is working in the best interests of our community.

What Drives Me

I recognize that Tucson faces many challenges going forward including housing affordability and accessibility, upgrading public infrastructure, ensuring adequate funding for city services and public safety, and making sure our community is resilient and adaptable to climate change. Like many Americans, I have watched the actions of the Trump administration with growing alarm. Standing up to the unconstitutional, destructive, and corrupt practices of this administration will require true public servants at every level of our government who are willing to be honest about what is happening and make rational, evidence-based decisions in the face of the many challenges we will face in the coming years.

At my core, I am a progressive and I seek to build a just and equitable future for our families, community, and country. I believes in ideas like universal health care, a living wage, strong unions, small businesses, and free public education. I believe strongly in the public sector as citizens’ best protection against corporate power. I seek to find innovative ways to invest in public institutions and leverage technology, so they are effective and serve the public’s interests.

My love for Tucson

I have fallen in love with Tucson, a place where I’ve now lived longer than any other. Tucson is my home. I love the region’s deep history and rich cultural heritage. I love Tucson’s amazing creative energy, from its food and festivals to its music and art that bring our community together. I love our community’s commitment to local and independent media with radio stations like KXCI and our many independent local news organizations. For those reasons, and many more, I look forward to serving Tucson and the residents of Ward 5.