ABOUT ME
I grew up in Eastern North Carolina during a period where an indifferent government failed to serve the people it represented equally. I beared witness to an administration that used redlining, austerity and divisive policies to keep the under-served in their place. This had a major influence on who I am and what I believe in today. My parents were both public sector employees and I was taught to have a profound respect for the power that government has, and that the government can do positive things when there are people in place who care about what they are doing, and the communites that they serve.
Environmental Stewardship
In my professional career, I have worked in biodiesel research and production, renewable energy, environmental conservation, education and direct action protection, environmental monitoring, and watershed protection. Ranging from tribal governments to international conservation organizations, as well as local agricultural groups, I have a broad range of experience to understand the issues that a local government will oversee and steward with regards to environmental conservation and oversight.
Labor Relations & the Working Class
I am currently a union steward and executive committee board member for the Inlandboatmen Union. I am also a dues-paying, card carrying member of the Master Mates and Pilots, as well as the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. Having worked across the spectrum of non-profits, the private sector, and as a state employee, I believe that labor is the economy.
Government & First Response Experience
I worked with the Tlingit Haida Central Council to develop renewable energy strategies to protect tribal villages from erasure by crushing heating fuel costs. During the 2015 H5N2 Avian Flu outbreak I worked with the USDA to mitigate the nationwide threat to our food supply and critical infrastructure. During the Covid Pandemic, I worked with with the Whatcom Unified Command I to develop PPE for our first responders during the Covid crisis. I have, and will continue to put our first responders first.
