Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I have 22 years of retail experience which includes store management, store development, and corporate purchasing.  While in management, I was responsible for the day to day operations which included financials, personnel, and customer service.  Today, I am a self-employed multi-line Insurance agent for a North Carolina company.  I would definitely say that the most important part of my job is taking care of my customers. Customers are the focus of everything that I do.  I live in Granite Falls, NC and I am married to Ellen LaBrose. We have three daughters Jessica, Jennifer, and Jana. I have served on the Caldwell County Board of Education for 14 years.

During these 14 years on the Board of Education, I have served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. As a school system we have experienced tremendous student academic growth which I attribute to our superior staff of teachers, associate staff, and administration. During my tenure on the board I have dealt with financial budgets, personnel issues, student issues, and community issues. In every instance, I relied on my experience and based my decisions from listening and learning from our staff, students, and community.

I am seeking this office in order to bring a fresh approach and leadership style to County government. The focus of my approach for our struggling economy is how to deliver the best county services without raising the burden on our citizens. This includes a renewed focus on being prepared for new business in our county. If we are to climb out of this economic mess, we must be ready and willing to go after those businesses and industries that will provide meaningful and lasting jobs for each and every citizen in our county.

My leadership style is one of Listening, Learning, and Leading.  I will listen to all citizens, I will seek out and learn about every issue, and I will lead by treating citizens fairly with honesty and integrity.

However, I realize that I cannot do it by myself. It will take the leadership of County government, City and Municipal government, County service department leadership, Economic Development Leadership, Community College leadership, County School Board Leadership, and the citizens of the county. As a county commissioner I will be one of the leaders that will begin and maintain the dialogue and communication needed to find the solutions to our challenges.  Everyone must have a seat at the table and be heard.  We cannot leave anyone behind for if we do our recovery will be more difficult and take too much time.