My love affair with Austin began in the 1970s when my parents took me and my two brothers from our hometown of Dallas to enjoy a long weekend seeing the State Capitol, UT, and the area’s beautiful lakes and hill country. When I was ready to go to college UT was the only school on my list. When it came time to begin my career, launch a business, buy a home, and start a family, Austin was always the only city on my list.
In the more than 18 years that I’ve lived here, I have loved Austin and have worked hard to actively participate. I have succeeded in business, government and as an executive in the nonprofit sector. I have experienced Austin as a student, as a government employee, and as an entrepreneur, in good times and in bad. Regardless of the circumstances, I have consistently supported causes and organizations throughout our community, dedicating whatever resources I could – sometimes as a grassroots volunteer and other times as a donor or board member. Other than during the four years that I attended UT, I have lived in the Clarksville neighborhood; however, I have worked and volunteered in all parts of our community.
Most recently, I have spent the last year and a half at home being a full-time mom, which in many ways has been the most challenging job I’ve had to date. My partner Kayla and I feel incredibly blessed to have our son Ethan, and being parents has given us an even stronger desire to ensure Austin is the best it can be.
Running for City Council, and especially challenging an incumbent, is a huge step. I am doing it because like you I am concerned about the direction our City is going. Over the years I’ve watched a lot of Channel 6, read the local newspapers, and discussed and debated the issues of the day with friends and associates. No one issue was the “tipping point” for me, but this past fall I decided to really enter the fray – to get off the couch and quit being a frustrated spectator. I decided to run and to challenge Jennifer Kim because I am more qualified than she is, and I can do the job the way it ought to be done.
Simply stated, I am running for Austin City Council because I care and because I can (with your help).