I am not a politician. My involvement in city politics began when I decided to speak out against Mayor Stoney’s Coliseum replacement proposal. After reviewing the proposal’s financial projections and saw that the public was not being told the truth, I created NoColiseum.com and provided thorough analysis that helped to defeat the plan. I did so because I care about Richmond and couldn’t sit by as the city I love walked blindly into another big-shiny-project that would lead to disaster.

That led to me researching and writing on other topics of Richmond City Government that were then published in Style Weekly, which can be read here. Ultimately, I was included in the Top 40 Under 40 list for Richmond.

I was born in Nashville,TN where I attended city public schools. I attended a high school with students from over 60 different countries, making it one of the most diverse in the country. I am thankful for that experience. I have a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in economics from the University of Tennessee. I moved to Richmond to attend the University of Richmond School of Law.

I have worked ever since I was 16 (which is also when I opened my first retirement account). I have had a wide variety of work experience, from becoming a manager at a Quiznos at 17 years old, to working 12-hour shifts in a 28 degree environment at a Tyson Foods plant, to working for all three branches of the Virginia state government in economic development, reviewing proposed regulations, and in IT. Now I have my own business helping others start businesses.

I volunteer with the high school youth group at Richmond’s First Baptist Church, draft pro-bono wills for those diagnosed with cancer through the non-profit Legal Information Network for Cancer, have taught personal finance classes for single moms, and got black and white churches to come together for an event we called the “Christian Family Reunion.”

I am married to an amazing woman, Alexandra, who is smart, caring, strong, and beautiful. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without her.

In my spare time, I enjoy exploring Richmond with her, working on projects outside or on my car, and I have been bowling my whole life.

Why I Love Richmond and Chose to Live Here

The city played a big part in my choice to attend the University of Richmond School of Law but once I lived here, I fell in love. That is why my wife and I chose to make our home here instead of returning to our childhood homes. It is also why I chose to start my law practice here.

I love the abundance of art in Richmond, whether it be murals on buildings or tattoos on skin.

I love that everything in Richmond has character. It is full of old, unique buildings and everywhere you turn there are local small businesses.

I love that Richmond has a diverse people who are all putting themselves to work serving their fellow Richmonders. If you desire to get plugged in helping others, there are organizations and people all over the place where you can do just that.

What I don’t love is that these Richmonders are doing all of these amazing things while having to carry the weight of a dysfunctional city government on their shoulders.

While our elected officials focus on mega-deals that ultimately always fall flat, our schools have the lowest graduation rate in the state, and they operate in buildings that are falling apart from lack of maintenance. On top of that, we have terribly maintained roads and a city hall that is run inefficiently, wasting money at every turn.

This city and its people have the potential to be an example to the world but only if we have the right priorities.

That is why I am running for mayor because it is way beyond time we focus on making the best Richmond we possibly can for the people of Richmond.