I currently serve on the Matthews Planning Board and on the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee. As a result, I have seen up-close the issues facing Matthews, from commercial and residential development to affordable housing to traffic and transportation.
In the six years I served as mayor of Elmira, N.Y., I developed a strong understanding of government operations and economic development. I worked with state and local officials to win $4 million in grants that turned downtown spaces into viable storefronts and apartments, $500,000 in grants to rejuvenate façades, and a $1.25 million federal grant to transform a tired train viaduct into a beautiful promenade. I also served on the governor’s Southern Tier Regional Economic Council for Economic Development.
Since leaving office, I’ve continued my work in public service as chairman of a Central New York planning board while also volunteering as a museum tour guide and, currently, as a technology tutor for the Matthews Library. I’ve been married to my wife, Gina, for nearly 14 years and have two wonderful stepchildren, one a fifth-grade teacher, the other a senior in college.
I earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, and have worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, a web developer, an IT director, a technical marketing professional and as mayor. I am now a full-time writer and my third book – about public service – is due out in March 2026.
I’m a strong leader and problem-solver who places open communication at the heart of all I do. To me, communication is the key to successful collaboration and public service. I work hard to build trust by engaging stakeholders, promoting their ideas and successes, and helping to bridge gaps in understanding. That requires real empathy and a cross-disciplinary approach, which I will bring to the Matthews Board of Commissioners.
As a Matthews resident, I understand its historic past, the issues facing the town and how they play out in all our neighborhoods. My work experience is diverse, and has a central theme: openness. As a former newspaper reporter and editor who covered city and county government, I understand the business of government has no room for grand-standing. As a former web developer and technology professional, I understand how innovation and risk-taking can pay off. As a manager for Corning Inc., Gannett, Accenture and Cornell University, I learned how to lead, innovate, and inspire.
I hope you’ll support me, incumbent Mayor John Higdon, incumbent Commissioner John Urban and Susan Chambers in the town’s non-partisan election Nov. 4, 2025.