Why I’m Running For Town Council

 

As a long-time resident with a good understanding of Broadway’s unique needs and a proven track record of leadership and service, I’m confident in my ability to make significant contributions to Broadway’s future.

My roots in this community run deep.

Except for three years living in Ohio, I have been a resident of Broadway since 1988 and have strong ties to Rockingham County prior to that.

My family has a long history in the area, and I’m committed to preserving and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

My family and many friends and acquaintances work here, live here and are an active part of this community – attending schools here, contributing to civic groups and going to the town’s churches. 

I know a lot of Broadway residents and value the relationships I’ve built over the years.   

I pride myself on being approachable and personable and I would bring those skills with me as a town council member because I believe one of the most important qualities a council member can have is a genuine openness to town residents.   

I’ve served on the Plains District Board of Zoning Appeals since 2018 and on the Broadway Board of Zoning Appeals since 2023.  This experience has provided me with valuable insights into the complexities of land use, development and the delicate balance between progress and preservation.

During this time, I’ve consistently demonstrated a commitment to fair and impartial decision-making, while always keeping the best interests of our residents and the town at the forefront.

I know that past and current council members are local business owners and I respect the insights that brings.

However, I believe that my extensive professional experience in strategic planning, continuous improvement, and change management has equipped me with the skills necessary to tackle the challenges facing our town.

I’d like to highlight some of my past professional experiences and skills and align with how I might leverage those skills and experiences as a town council member.

As a Strategic Planning & Analytics Manager at Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative, I successfully led cross-functional teams to develop and implement the coop’s first formal strategic plan.   

Working across departments and units, understanding the push and pull and realizing common ground and building on that common ground was a success.

I believe the same type of understanding – realizing common ground and building on common ground would also be important in a town government environment.

My experience with yearly budget processes and overseeing projected vs. actual spend underscores my ability to navigate complex financial matters, build consensus and drive strategic initiatives forward.

This was achieved through meticulous planning, thorough narratives that addressed potential concerns proactively, and effective communication, ultimately resulting in a seamless process.

I currently vet and apply for federal and state grants on behalf of the cooperative.  Aligning projects with funding opportunities.  This experience would, I believe be helpful in a town government environment.

Prior to my current role, as Director of Customer Service and Production Control, I transformed an under performing department into a model of efficiency and customer satisfaction.

By overhauling processes, implementing a data-driven customer evaluation model, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, I was able to reduce errors by 32% and increase NPS scores significantly.

This experience taught me the importance of listening to constituents, utilizing data to make informed decisions, and continuously seeking ways to improve service all of which are essential for effective governance on the Town Council.

Similarly, during my tenure at LSC Communications (formerly RR Donnelley), I consistently managed process improvements and cost savings, even amidst a challenging industry downturn.

My ability to analyze complex data, identify inefficiencies, and develop innovative solutions resulted in significant financial savings for the company.

I believe this analytical mindset and focus on results would be an asset in managing the town’s budget and resources effectively.

In addition to my professional and volunteer experience, my educational background, including an MBA and Six Sigma Certification, has provided me with a strong foundation in business, leadership, and process improvement.

I am confident that my diverse skill set and experience would make me an asset to the Town Council, contributing to most any of our town’s committees.