What is your professional experience?

2003-2006 work at Lowes in Indianapolis.

2006-2008 worked for Patriot Engineering as an inspector of concrete pours, as well as structural steel welded and bolted connections.

2008- current City of Noblesville to be a firefighter. I currently hold the rank of Lieutenant.

2018-2019 Communications director with IAFF Local 4416.

What is your public office experience?

have never run for office before

If applicable, please list offices you have run for or held.

N/A

What are the specific skills that you bring to the position for which you are running?

In my current role as a Lieutenant, I am responsible for the training and well-being of my crew, as well as the maintenance of our station and apparatuses. I also instruct our department’s Rapid Intervention Team (R.I.T.), specialized in high-stakes rescue operations. These responsibilities require me to maintain strict organization, manage scheduling, and at times oversee supply ordering for the department.

My experience also includes:

- Infrastructure Inspection: I was responsible for inspecting structural steel welded and bolted connections during the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium, specifically focusing on the adjustable roof and windows.

- Budgeting and Administration: Through my work within a government entity, I have gained a foundational understanding of how department budgets are structured and how they interrelate.

- Communications and Fundraising: As the communications director for my union, I managed budgeting and developed creative solutions to fund a hardship program for members in need.

- Conflict Resolution: My leadership role requires me to resolve internal conflicts and maintain positive public relations during high-stress situations.

What are your top 3 priorities if you are elected?

1. Budgetary Efficiency and Economic Viability: We must work within current budget restrictions to provide maximum resources for both county residents and employees, while prioritizing long-term economic stability.

2. Public Safety and Rehabilitation: It is essential to fund public safety properly to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. This initiative includes providing resources for incarceration prevention as well as support services for those re-entering the community.

3. Revenue Generation and Collaboration: I am committed to finding creative ways to increase county income beyond traditional tax increases. To achieve this, I will collaborate with leaders across local government and the business sector to identify new opportunities for community wealth generation.

How do your values motivate your run for office?

I believe Delaware County is full of potential. We have the assets and tools that other communities are spending millions to construct, and there is no reason we cannot be as successful as any other county in the state. To improve our economic prosperity, we must move beyond austerity and begin investing in our people and businesses. We need to support growth across the county and more effectively promote our community's most attractive attributes. Achieving this will require cooperation and dialogue across all levels of local government and all political backgrounds. Only through this collective effort can the best and most creative ideas rise to the top to benefit our entire community.

Key Issues

Please share with us your position on a number of issues that are key for Muncie Resists and describe what actions you would take with regard to them. We recognize that some elected positions may not have a direct role in addressing some of these issues, but if you had an opportunity to have an impact, what would you want that to be?

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support the rights of

a. LGBTQ+ individuals?

LGBTQ+ people seek the same basic rights and dignity as everyone else, and every person deserves to live authentically without fear or the need to hide their identity. As someone with friends and family members in the LGBTQ+ community, I am deeply concerned by the way they are often vilified. False accusations of heinous activities are frequently used as political tools to create division. These are tactics that have historically been used against minorities to distract from the actual challenges we face daily. I believe it is important to recognize these patterns and work toward a more inclusive environment for everyone.

b. people with disabilities?

During a recent meeting regarding neighborhood ditch concerns, I observed a residence with an aluminum ramp and a deteriorating driveway. I shared photos of this property with the county commissioners to highlight a critical safety issue: if the driveway continues to decline, emergency medical services may be unable to safely access or transport the resident. This situation underscores the importance of distributing resources based on the greatest need rather than convenience. By prioritizing these essential infrastructure improvements, we can create a safer, more accessible, and more welcoming environment for all residents and visitors in Delaware County.

c. people experiencing poverty?

I currently volunteer on Wednesday mornings at the Muncie Soup Kitchen and have been attending informational meetings to better understand the scale of homelessness in Delaware County. Given the local challenges with food insecurity and food deserts, I am interested in exploring effective methods to combat these issues. I believe that by investing in the growth of our diverse communities, we can make Delaware County a more attractive location for higher paying jobs and increase the overall average household income.

d. immigrants?

Immigrants are an essential part of our society and among the most hardworking, law-abiding residents in our country. They often contribute more to our social safety net programs through taxes than they will ever receive in benefits. Similar to the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants are often used as political targets through cherry-picked information to distract from the real issues affecting people's daily lives. For our communities to grow and remain healthy, we must embrace cultural differences and welcome diversity.

e. people who are racial or ethnic minorities/minoritized individuals?

Like immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals, racial and ethnic minorities are often targeted for blame when challenges arise. We must make a concerted effort to ensure these groups are included wherever decisions are being made. Historically, practices such as redlining have created separations that disproportionately disadvantage those with fewer resources. One of Delaware County’s primary strengths, particularly in Muncie, is its diverse population. We can leverage this diversity to encourage the growth of locally owned businesses, such as restaurants and specialty stores, which foster character and cultural pride within our neighborhoods. By embracing our differences, we build a multicultural community that works together toward improvement. This inclusivity attracts new residents, expands the tax base, and ultimately allows local governments to fund more amenities for the public good.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support voter access? (This might include your position on vote centers, polling hours, voter IDs, signature matching, the SAVE act, etc.)

To ensure maximum participation in our democracy, citizens should be automatically registered to vote upon turning 18. I am concerned that claims regarding voter fraud are often overstated to justify regulations that make voting unnecessarily difficult. Many restrictive measures currently being suggested or implemented, such as stricter ID requirements and limits on early voting, mirror tactics used during the Jim Crow era to suppress specific populations. I advocate for more access to the ballot and view the implementation of voting centers as a positive step forward. I hope we can continue to find ways to create greater access for all eligible voters.

In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the power of local and state governments. In what contexts would you support resistance by local officials?

One issue that immediately comes to mind is the ICE raids occurring throughout the country. In my opinion, the agency has overstepped its intended purpose. I believe the existence of ICE is unnecessary as it is a duplicative department; the DHS is already responsible for ensuring border security. ICE represents a waste of budgetary funds that could be used more effectively to help people. At this point, the agency primarily creates fear for those already living in high-stress situations. Furthermore, I firmly support the authority of local police to arrest ICE employees if they are seen committing crimes during raids. Being a government employee does not grant immunity from laws and regulations.

In recent months, federal agencies have overstepped the constitutional rights of the people. How would you protect and defend our constitutional rights?

See above answer.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support healthcare access for all?

As a firefighter and EMT, I regularly encounter patients who refuse necessary hospital transport due to the anticipated cost of ambulance services and medical bills. Unfortunately, we often see these individuals again when their health has declined, resulting in emergency situations that are both more serious and more expensive. This experience is why I support Medicare for All. While I recognize this policy cannot be enacted at the county level, I believe its implementation would result in significant healthcare savings. Locally, such a system would reduce the time and resources currently spent managing insurance plans and costs, while providing broader community health benefits.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to address affordability of

housing costs?

I am currently working with the towns in my district to discuss local housing needs. The feedback I have received indicates a strong preference for more housing that is affordable and located in walkable neighborhoods near shops, parks and other amenities. It is clear that the traditional model of single-family neighborhoods with cul-de-sacs is no longer sufficient to fund necessary infrastructure maintenance. To address this, we need a healthier mix of multi-use and multi-family housing alongside single-family homes. Additionally, in areas that remain primarily single-family, adapting regulations to allow for smaller, unattached housing units on larger lots would help increase availability.

food costs?

While food costs cannot be solved entirely at the county level, we can take local action to expand food shopping options. Currently, the county heavily restricts where and by whom livestock can be raised. Loosening these restrictions would provide several benefits. First, it would allow local farmers to diversify their income, reducing their total reliance on corn and soy crops. It would also create a more accessible pathway for youth to enter farming through the 4-H livestock program. Additionally, this change would enable farmers to sell products directly to the community, providing residents with access to reliable, locally sourced food.

healthcare costs?

See above answer pertaining to healthcare.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support discussion about science, history, and gender as necessary parts of educating children in our schools?

As a father of two children currently enrolled in the local school system, with a third starting next year, I am concerned about the curriculum changes happening around the country. My wife and I stay closely informed about our children’s education and are concerned about the prospects of revisionist history, book bans, and the introduction of religious materials that may exclude others or conflict with peer-reviewed science. Strong public school systems are essential for Delaware County to attract new families and maintain community growth. These concerns need to be taken into consideration to ensure our schools remain inclusive and academically rigorous.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to support public education?

I feel strongly that supporting public education is the most effective tool for fostering generational upward mobility and providing equal opportunity for all community members. Strong public school systems benefit our entire region by attracting businesses and residents, creating a more educated workforce, and reducing the long-term need for social programs. I believe we must remain committed to investing in and protecting our local public schools to ensure the best educational environment for all students. Diverting public funds to private educational entities limits the reach of quality education for those who need it most. When Jennifer McCormick ran for governor, she proposed a plan to end the voucher program to address these concerns. We should not allow funding to leave our schools to enrich private industries at the expense of our taxpayers. I prioritize the protection of public education funding to ensure it remains available to every student in our community.

What do you think should be Indiana’s priority in terms of the electrical grid and energy generation sources? What have you done and/or what do you commit to do regarding a clean energy economy?

While coal remains a primary energy source for our state, 2024 marked the first time wind and solar production surpassed coal production nationwide. I believe diversifying our energy portfolio is essential—not only to provide environmentally friendly options but to increase overall capacity and lower electricity costs for everyday users.

Expanding renewable energy would create new revenue streams for locals as well. Encouraging energy production on commercial and residential properties would also reduce the load on the utility grid, benefiting the state as a whole.

What have you done and/or what do you commit to doing to make your specific area of government more transparent to your constituents?

When talking to people, I have been doing my best to communicate that I am open to talk about almost anything. I also do my best to communicate that I don't always have all the answers, but I will do my best to get into contact with those that might be able to get those answers. I encourage people to call or text me, and I will do my best to set up an in person meeting if necessary. If elected, I will continue to be as open as I can. I am a firm believer that being open reduces the number of rumors and falsehoods that get spread.

Do you have any questions? Is there anything else you would like to share?

Delaware County, like many other areas, is currently facing a significant homelessness crisis. This is a multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive solution. Unfortunately, some state-level recommendations suggest criminalizing and jailing the homeless, an approach I believe is fundamentally wrong. While I do not have all the answers, I have been attending events hosted by organizations such as the League of Women Voters to better understand the issue and the grassroots solutions being attempted in our community. I believe we must focus on preventative measures, such as ensuring solid educational opportunities, attracting diverse businesses to strengthen our local economy, investing in affordable housing, and fostering community pride where neighbors look out for one another. It is vital to remember that people experiencing homelessness deserve a warm, clean, and safe place to stay. I am certain there are successful models elsewhere in the world that we could adapt locally to provide the safe environment these people deserve. I am committed to doing what I can to help find and implement effective solutions for those in need.