FAQS (frequently asked questions)

Why are you running for Mayor?

My decision is motivated by a higher power. A few years ago I chose to stop working so hard trying to do what I wanted to do and start working on what I believe I was born to do.  My life has subsequently been happier by this change in goal.  My purpose in life is to serve my community.  I've done this through my volunteer work with the Chamber of Commerce, Planning and Zoning Commission, and with the local non-profit, iCreate, Inc.  The Mayor position is the natural next step in me fulfilling God's work.

With that said, I know there's a lot of work involved and virtually no pay (you get $150/meeting.)  So why else would I run for Mayor?  It boils down to "who else is best qualified"?  As long as I've lived here, I don't think I've seen a person who is well-rounded enough to be in the position.  Usually they lack the understanding of how to get things done.  But in other cases, they believe they represent those who voted them in, but not those who DIDN'T for them.  Therefore, it's been one sided, and many of us get the short end of the stick.  And ultimately, they're unprofessional in their conduct. What is the net result?  No paved roads, pot holes, problems with our gas company budget, problems with our employees being rude and inconsiderate to our citizens, lack of follow-through on projects, and ultimately, no faith in our town administration.  And at the top of our problem is the lack of respect we get from the county and state level government.  Without respect, we don't get funding.

Beyond the personal faith-based motive, I'm running for Mayor because I believe in just management. This means I will listen and hear EVERY CITIZEN, not just those who voted for me.  I believe that we, the administration and the employees, are public servants, and as such we work for YOU.  I believe that the problems we've had for decades is based on no one thinking outside the box.  We're stuck in this "good ole boy" system where they work only as hard as to make a personal profit, and the citizens are screwed.  I'm here to end it.

What are your qualifications to be our Mayor?

I've been the Vice-Chair of the Mountainair Planning and Zoning Commission and the Treasurer of the Mountainair Chamber of Commerce for 3 years.  And I've been the President of iCreate, Inc., a non-profit based in Mountainair for a year and a half.

I have a Bachelors degree in Management. And I've completed most of my coursework in a Masters in Public Administration as well as Community Planning.  My graduate coursework is focused on building community in the citizens and managing towns and cities.

You have a lot of education but what experience do you have?

I've studied the philosophies of history's greatest leaders and one of the underlying themes is that a leaders don't lead based solely on their experience.  They tend to surround themselves with intelligent and experienced people to inform them of the various factors that affect a decision.  One of Mountainair's stumbling blocks is that most of the local leadership practice a different perspective.  They often act as sole decision makers and rarely take into consideration the advice of those around them.

For many years now, I have been building a group of advisors, a cabinet, if you will, that are very experienced in the workings of the public sector.  They advise me on the legal procedures and ramifications of my decisions.  Furthermore, they also hold me accountable for my actions and decisions.  Beyond that, every citizen is part of my greater cabinet.  It is the people that I ask to advise me and to hold me accountable for my actions.

In short, my experience is derived from the experience of every citizen in our community. It is an ongoing learning process and will never end.