Leadership & Governance: Set the Tone, Do the Work
With nearly 20 years of public and civic service to Kodiak, I’ve served as an educator, organizer, nonprofit leader, multi-champion volunteer coach, board chair, and elected official. My philosophy of leadership is simple: show up, listen well, follow through, and maintain high expectations of myself and my peers. I believe local government should be respectful, accountable, and efficient—not driven by ego or ideology, but by a deep commitment to my neighbors. My approach is grounded in a classical Christian understanding of service: leadership should not be about power, but about humility, stewardship, and putting others first. As mayor, I will bring steady, transparent, and professional leadership to the Borough, focused on real solutions that reflect the values and needs of the people who live here.
Support Clear and Focused Leadership Roles
- Effective leadership requires clarity of responsibility. As mayor, I will commit to work with others to ensure that all elected officials can serve without overlapping duties that might limit responsiveness or slow down Borough operations.
Strengthen Morale through Collaborative Leadership
- Borough (and city and KIBSD) employees are the backbone of our local government. I will work to build a culture of mutual respect, open communication, and accountability where staff feel heard, valued, and supported in their work on behalf of the public.
Transparency and Community Communication
- Open, honest communication builds trust. And trust is the foundation of good local government. As mayor, I will create regular and accessible opportunities for residents to stay informed, ask questions, and share concerns. That means more than just livestreams and meeting minutes. It means being present, responsive, and accountable in ways that meet people where they are. This includes:
- Regular newspaper columns and posts: to share updates, explain decisions, and highlight community efforts so residents aren’t left wondering what’s happening at the Borough.
- Annual “Mayor’s Religious and Cultural Service Forum”: A gathering of religious, cultural, and spiritual leaders to discuss the struggles residents are facing—from housing insecurity to addiction to social isolation and how local government can better understand and support those needs. This is not a religious event, but a listening session rooted in respect and community values.
Working with the Assembly:
Guide the Process, Earn the Trust
- Kodiak’s “weak mayor” system isn’t about power; it’s about process. As mayor, my role will be to help the Assembly function at its best by facilitating discussion, supporting good governance, and building public trust. With nearly 20 years of civic service, I believe in a model of leadership rooted in deliberative democracy: the idea that communities make their best decisions when people listen carefully, share openly, and reason together with mutual respect. I’ll bring steady, transparent leadership that models professionalism, encourages thoughtful debate, and helps our local government serve the people. This means:
- Responding promptly to requests for information or action
- Ensuring ordinances and resolutions are advanced efficiently and in good faith
- Facilitating, not delaying, deliberation, planning, and community engagement
- Creating a culture of coordination, where staff, committees, and elected officials work together toward shared goals
