Many times events happen that change our life’s direction and so it happened in my life. As a young teenager driver, I had a chance encounter with Trooper J. R. Reid on the way to a church softball game. That single traffic ticket turned my life around and put me on the path of a lifetime of public service. I joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in 1987 and served throughout this region for most of my career. In January of 2015 I retired after serving the citizens of this State for twenty-seven years, rising to the rank of Captain.

As a young leader, it was apparent I needed to improve my own leadership knowledge through education. Going back to school as an adult is never easy, but with time, and the support of my family, I completed several degrees, culminating in a Masters in Public Administration from UNCP.

Since retirement, I have operated my own consulting business traveling across the United States, teaching leadership techniques to law enforcement leaders. During my travels, I have been able to visit many small towns just like Kings Mountain. Many of these cities are using innovative strategies, while some were struggling to face the challenges of the twenty-first century. This opportunity to travel has allowed me to see many problems first hand and discuss the solutions other cities have found.