Grateful for the Opportunity: A New Beginning in Columbia

Monday night, I had the honor of being officially sworn in as your new At-Large Councilman.

It’s hard to put into words what that moment meant to me. Standing there, hand raised, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, responsibility, and hope. Gratitude for the people who believed in me. Responsibility for the work ahead. And hope for what I know we can accomplish together.

I have been blessed.

I have a village.

And I have had so many people pour into me along the way.

It is why I am here today. And it’s why I want to begin by giving thanks.

First and foremost, I want to thank God.

I want to thank my incredible wife, Ashley. Not only is she is an amazing mother to our daughters, Kennedy and Olivia, she is also a brilliant lawyer, who, from time to time, gives me the kind of counsel that keeps me humble, grounded, and honest.

I want to thank my father. And in her absence, I want to thank my mother.

To my campaign team and volunteers, you poured your hearts into this work, and I will always be grateful.

And, to the friends, supporters, and neighbors across this city who knocked doors, made calls, shared encouragement, and trusted me with this responsibility, thank you.

Monday night was, in fact, humbling and I do not take this responsibility lightly. This moment was never about a title or a seat. It has always been about service.

I chose to stay in Columbia because of my village. Because of the support, the belief, and the sense of belonging I have here. Now, I have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to help ensure that same sense of community exists for everyone who wants to call Columbia home.

From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been simple: It’s About You.

Our neighborhoods.
Your safety.
Your families.
Your voices.
Our shared future.

That principle mattered during the campaign, and it matters even more now.

I ran for City Council because I believe deeply in this city and in what’s possible when we work together. In many ways, Columbia is a reflection of our country. I don’t know of a city that embodies the idea of E Pluribus Unum more than Columbia. Out of many, one.

Columbia does not lack talent.
We do not lack ideas.
And we certainly do not lack heart.

What we need, and what I am committed to bringing, is collaboration that helps us get even more done.

But, this spirit of collaboration cannot stop at City Hall. Our challenges – housing, public safety, infrastructure, and opportunity – do not stop at jurisdictional lines. And neither should our solutions.

Right now, Columbia is experiencing real momentum across our region, and we can see it taking shape all around us.

A new Publix grocery store is coming to the BullStreet District, helping address food access and an improved quality of life.

We are beginning to see the long envisioned development of our riverfront, creating bicycle and pedestrian connectivity so people can leave their homes, ditch their cars, and enjoy what makes Columbia special.

In North Columbia, we are witnessing the renaissance of Columbia College under Dr. John Dozier’s leadership. And through the power of intergovernmental collaboration, we are seeing lives changed through home renovations, new housing opportunities, and real pathways to homeownership.

And to my new Richland County colleagues, whether through Scout, the Columbia Area Development Partnership, or the way we run the score up with public-private partnerships, I want you to know this: I am excited to work with you.

These wins did not happen overnight. They are the result of years of partnership, planning, and people choosing collaboration over competition. I am proud to have played a role in some of that work, and even more proud of what it tells us about where Columbia is headed.

But progress is not something we admire from a distance.

It is something we steward.

As a member of City Council, I am focused on building this momentum in a way that is inclusive, thoughtful, and grounded in the everyday realities of our residents.

Growth must reach every neighborhood. Opportunity cannot be limited by ZIP code. And development must always be paired with listening.

I come to this role ready to support my fellow Council members, to learn from them, and to work alongside them. And to my forever colleagues, the City of Columbia staff, I’m excited to rejoin you! Progress does not happen in silos. It happens when we show up, when we listen, and when we all pull in the same direction.

Our neighborhoods are the crown jewels of Columbia. Every single one of them. From North Columbia to Heathwood, from Eau Claire and Greenview to Shandon, the people and communities that make up this city are its greatest strength. Investing in them, empowering them, and lifting them up is how we honor who we are. It is how we expand access, make smarter investments, and continue to build hope.

Before I close, I want to speak from the heart.

To my daughters, Kennedy and Olivia, being your father is the greatest honor of my life. Kennedy, you will be old enough to remember watching your dad serve this city. And I hope what you remember most is not the position, but the purpose behind it.

Columbia, I promise to listen.

I promise to collaborate.

I promise to show up and do the work with integrity and the utmost care.

And I promise to never forget who this role is for.

It is not about me.

It is INDEED about you.

Thank you.