Leadership

Growing up, my parents and church taught me a simple concept that has anchored both my professional career and volunteer service: servant leadership. In short, that a leader works for the good of others, not himself. On City Council, this means doing what’s best for the whole community—not personal accolades or political agendas. It means weighing all sides of the issues and engaging citizens across our diverse spectrum of perspectives, priorities, and personalities. Here are a few examples of these principles in action during my time on City Council and beyond.

On City Council

  • Mayor Pro Tem, 2020 – 2021
  • Acting Mayor, November – December 2020
  • Chair, Community Partnership Committee (decides funding for events like Art & Jazz Festival, Denton Black Film Festival)
  • Chair, Downtown Economic Development Committee
  • Chair, Development Code Review Committee (proposes code amendments that protect neighborhoods and encourage responsible development, led creation of a permanent committee)
  • Led Council in hiring an additional fire fighter crew (successful mid-year budget amendment)
  • Led Council in purchasing the new Denton Community Shelter
  • Proposed original Non-Discrimination Ordinance
  • Led Council in requiring new houses be set back 500 feet from gas wells
  • Working to re-locate downtown concrete plant
  • Called for city-wide speed study and lower speed limits
  • Spearheaded creation of grant for fire sprinklers in historic buildings
  • Led creation of Economic Development Catalyst Fund
  • Led city’s participation in public art honoring barrier breakers Abner Haynes and “Mean” Joe Greene
  • Called for much-needed improvements at Joe Skiles Park
  • Member, Texas Municipal Power Agency board of directors
  • Member, Economic Development Partnership Board
  • Member, Discover Denton Advisory Board

In My Profession

  • Chief Felony Domestic Violence Prosecutor for Denton County
  • Former Chief Prosecutor, 211th Judicial District Court
  • Former Chief Prosecutor, County Criminal Courts #1 & #2
  • Former Deputy Chief Misdemeanor Prosecutor
  • Founding Prosecutor, Denton County Mental Health Court
  • Former Prosecutor for Denton County DWI Court

In the Community

  • Chair, North Texas Children’s Choirs & Festivals
  • Past President, Denton Evening Rotary Club
  • Founding Chair, Denton Board of Ethics
  • Chair, St. David’s Episcopal Church Building Committee (and $3 million Capital Campaign Committee)
  • Former Chair, St. David’s Episcopal Church Vestry (church board)
  • Led West Denton neighborhood in defeating a drive-thru fast food development
  • Former Member, Denton County Historical Commission
  • Active Cub Scout Den Leader
  • Eagle Scout

In Academia

  • UNT Student Body President, 2003 – 2004 (distributed $9 million in student funding, commissioned “Sustaining Arch” sculpture, renamed Union Circle)
  • Executive Editor, Baylor Law Review
  • Founding Chair, UNT Distinguished Lecture Series
  • Founding President, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Kappa Gamma Chapter
  • Speaker, UNT Student Senate
  • Chapter Author, “Reinventing the Right,” (ed. Wheeler & Amble, 2010)