nice to meet you

I’m running for County Council because I believe the place we call home deserves smart stewardship, radical transparency, and accountable governance. With decades of professional experience, a lifetime of problem-solving, and a genuine commitment to this community, I’m ready to serve Beaufort County with honesty, skill, and unwavering dedication.

Like so many of you, my wife, Janis, and I fell in love with Hilton Head the very first time we visited. What started as a family getaway quickly became something much deeper — a place where we could see our future.

On one of those trips — after a couple of end-of-day cocktails — Janis and I wandered into Indigo Run, spotted a quiet lot surrounded by nature, and instantly felt a connection. It was just us and a neighboring owl’s nest back then. Over the years, we’ve watched Hilton Head and Beaufort County evolve and grow into the amazing place it is today.

Janis and I have now been married for 35 years. We met in our apartment building in Montclair, New Jersey, back when I moved in carrying a pile of Scandinavian furniture a friend had given me at a discount — given that she’s Scandinavian, my inadvertent furniture selection immediately caught her attention. Our first date was at an Ethiopian restaurant where we ate with our hands and talked about everything under the sun. That spirit of curiosity and adventure has shaped our marriage ever since.

Before I ever became a lawyer, I worked my way through real life — as a truck driver, bartender, and carpenter — after earning a degree in literature and linguistics. Law school wasn’t part of my original plan, but once I got there, I found my stride and fell in love with the Constitution. A ballet of balance between the rights of the states and the federal government, and believing both are meant to serve and to be subordinate to its citizens, I frequently found myself debating my professors on such topics.

I became a commercial litigator and trial attorney, representing organizations rather than individuals. That meant I had to truly understand the businesses I worked with, which pushed me to become fluent in public bidding, government contracting, surety bonds, and infrastructure projects. That knowledge ended up defining much of my career.

Over the years, I’ve worked on more than twenty major bridge and infrastructure projects across the Northeast, along with numerous large-scale rehabilitations and replacements. That experience taught me how to break down complex problems quickly, identify what’s really at stake, and protect my clients’ interests with clarity and precision. Those are the same skills I want to bring to you as your Beaufort County councilman.