Biography
Folks in the Pikes Peak region are most likely to recognize me from my 12-year tenure – six of those as mayor – on the Manitou Springs City Council, from which I retired in January 2016. It was certainly an extraordinary time to be at the helm as we faced catastrophic fires and floods, a recession, and numerous other landmark changes to our institutions and infrastructure. Fortunately, I was surrounded by a lot of smart people and I was able to apply the skills, connections, and experience I’ve honed over my diverse 30-year-career. Together, we were able to secure grants for flood damage and mitigation that will protect Manitou for generations, which makes me very proud. Marijuana dispensaries now contribute over $1 million every year to the city’s coffers, a revenue stream that is literally helping to pave the way toward all sorts of local improvements. And, we expanded open space to Iron Mountain and the Manitou Incline which provide unique recreational opportunities to our citizens and visitors.
By profession, I am an attorney. My practice is in wills, trusts, and estates law, specializing in helping families with adults or children who have disabilities. This area of law has been my focus since I opened the doors to my practice on West Colorado Avenue in 1995 and fulfills a long-held desire I have always had to protect and defend the rights of citizens with special needs.
I obtained my law degree from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia in 1987. I began my legal career as an attorney for a title services company in Rockville, Maryland. During that time, my future-wife, Kelly, and I met on a co-ed softball team in a rec league at the National Institutes of Health, where Kelly was working as a paralegal and I was brought in as a “ringer” to help a struggling team. We eventually became engaged and began a search to find the perfect location to start a family and be closer to her western-based roots. As we toured the region, , we fell in love with Manitou Springs … its natural beauty, close-knit community and proximity to Colorado Springs, where I could hang out my shingle and open my law practice.
Kelly and I were married in El Paso, Texas on March 19, 1995 and began our life together in Colorado shortly thereafter. I launched my law practice and Kelly became a homemaker, super volunteer and community activist. We have two wonderful daughters who were raised in Manitou Springs and are currently attending college.
But my professional life is only a part of my story, because I have always had a keen interest in community issues and have worked tirelessly throughout my adult life in roles that allow me to participate in making the world around me better. I was elected city-wide five times in Manitou Springs: twice as an at-large city councilor and three times as Mayor.
Over the past two decades, I have served as a leader and a member of more than a dozen county and regional entities working to improve local transportation, health, economic development, building, sustainability, urban renewal, restorative justice, and military care.
I am a person who serves with joy — the joy of working with incredible people, the joy of building an even stronger and more vibrant community, the joy of knowing that in some small way, I’m helping leave a better world for my children and the generations to come. I am eager to apply my knowledge and background in a new role as your state representative. We’ve come a long way together since 1995, but there’s so much left to do. Please join me as I continue to work to make our community the very best it can be.
Qualifications
PUBLIC SERVICE
2019-Today: State House Representative, House District 18. First elected November 2018; Re-elected November 2020. Member of the Legal Services Committee, House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, and Vice chair of the House Finance Committee.
2010- 2016: Mayor, City of Manitou Springs, Colorado. First elected November 2009; Re-elected (unopposed) November 2011 and November 2013.
2004- 2010: City Council-member at-large (city wide), City of Manitou Springs, Colorado. First elected November 2003; re-elected 2007.
2001-2002: Chair, Save Open Space Issue Committee. Author and campaign chair for successful ballot measure to extend City’s open space sales and property taxes.
2000- 2003: Planning Commissioner, City of Manitou Springs, Colorado.
1997 -2000: Chair, Open Space Advisory Committee, City of Manitou Springs, Colorado.
REGIONAL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
2004- 2016: Board Member Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority.
2004- 2016: Board Member, Pikes Peak Council of Governments. Elected Board Chair for 2015.
2009- 2011: Board Member, El Paso County Board of Health, El Paso County Colorado; Representing the small Cities and Towns of El Paso County.
2006- 2010: Board Member, Pikes Peak Regional Building Commission; Representing the small Cities and Towns. Elected Chair 2008- 2010.
2004- 2006: Manitou Springs Representative, Pikes Peak Regional Building Advisory Board.
2010- 2011: Chair, Future of Regional Transit Steering Committee.
2010- 2011: Member, Pikes Peak Sustainability Consensus Committee.
2009- 2012: Board Member, Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Corporation.
2007- Present: Board Member, Manitou Springs Urban Renewal Authority. Currently serving as Vice-Chair.
2009- Present: Board Member, Pikes Peak Restorative Justice Council.
2004- 2009: Board Member, Manitou Springs Restorative Justice Council
2016- Present: Restorative Justice Representative to the Peak Military Care Network.
1990- 1994: Board Member, Habitat for Humanity of Prince George’s County, Maryland. Served as Board Chair 1992-1994.
WORK HISTORY
1995- Present: Attorney, Solo Practitioner practicing Wills Trusts and Estates Law specializing in helping families with adults and children with disabilities, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
1987- 1994: Settlement/Closing Attorney, Courtstreet Title Services, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.
1990-1994: Vice President, Courtstreet Title Services, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.
EDUCATION
Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia- J.D. Law Degree awarded in August in 1987.
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia- B.A. Degree in Political Science awarded in June, 1982.
Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia-B.A. Degree in Economics awarded in June, 1982.
AWARDS
2002: Manitou Springs Open Space Citizen of the Year.
2016: Manni award for Public Service.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Georgia Bar Association- Admitted in 1989.
Colorado Bar Association- Admitted in 1995.