Hello

My husband and I have been married for over 39 years, during which we raised four amazing children who have grown into remarkable adults, two retired military veterans and one active-duty U.S. Army service member.  Our family has blossomed into something extraordinary with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who continue to fill our hearts with pride and joy.
 

I was born in Fort Lewis, Washington and was raised in a proud military family as a United States Army brat.  My father retired from the U.S. Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey after 28 years of service to the country. His dedication and discipline shaped not only my childhood, but the values my family and I carry with to this day.  I spent the majority of my life in New Jersey before retiring to the great state of North Carolina.  I am a graduate of Burlington County College, where I earned an Associate of Science Degree.  I subsequently completed my Bachelor of Science Degree from Rutger's University.
 

I've always felt a deep calling to advocate for those in unique circumstances and support individuals in need. That passion led me to my first role serving clients with special needs for the State of New Jersey. From there, I moved on to the regulatory side, working for the Casino Control Commission where I spent over 25 years ensuring casinos adhered to state laws and regulations. More importantly, I served as a resource for the public, I was someone they could turn to if they felt mistreated or overlooked by the casino industry. For 25 years I heard a lot of complaints and suggestions, but the bottom line is that I wanted to help and to listen, especially if you felt like no one else would.  I then transitioned into the legal side of the industry working under the NJ State Attorney's Office. My responsibilities included conducting inspections and issuing fines to casinos that failed to comply with regulations, all in the pursuit of fairness and integrity within the industry.  Since 2022, I've been volunteering at Novant Regional Hospital, continuing my lifelong commitment to being a voice for those who feel unheard and serving people in need.
 

Now, in retirement, I’ve found peace and purpose in our beautiful town of Leland. It’s here that I’ve been able to reflect on the blessings of our journey.  I've watched the growth of this town, good and bad, mostly good. Leland holds a special place in my heart, and this has inspired me to be a civil servant to the residents of our community. At every stage of my career and life, my mission has remained the same: to stand up for people and ensure they know someone is always in their corner. I'm just wanting to do what I can to make it better, more efficient, and safer for all of us.  I hope we can make this mission/vision come to fruition for all of us.