ABOUT

THE STORY

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): I live in Flatonia with my wife, Kelly (Siegel), and two children, Elliott and Hollis. I am a US Army Veteran, an entrepreneur, a City Councilman, and a conservative.

The story of this campaign began long before the day we filed, and long before my life as a civilian in this county. The origin of this endeavor occurred when I was a young boy.

I was raised in a military family and learned early on what it meant to serve. I saw my father deploy overseas, and my parents sacrifice for something greater, for a higher cause that I couldn't quite comprehend, but that was soon to change. As a 5th grader, I witnessed the events of September 11th, 2001, and the trajectory of my life was forever altered. It was my first encounter with evil, and communicated a message loud and clear– this world is not paradise, and my comfortable life as I knew it was not the whole story of life on this earth. An inevitability was created that day, and a burden was placed on my heart that would grow for years. This burden demanded action; it dictated that I do something with my life to counter the evil I saw on 9/11. I was on a collision course with service.

I signed my first contract with the US Army after high school, graduated with a B.A. from the University of Dayton, and was commissioned as an active-duty Aviation Officer. After helicopter flight school, I served as a pilot in various leadership roles across duty stations, deployed to Afghanistan and Korea, and completed 10 years of active-duty service. During that time, I commanded a forward-deployed unit of almost 300 Soldiers, where I was responsible for the leadership, administration, welfare, good order and discipline, and mission success of the entire organization. Leading these men and women was the honor of my life and an experience I will never match.

If the origin of this campaign began with 9/11, then the drive that eventually set this campaign in motion started somewhere over the mountainous landscape of eastern Afghanistan. From the cockpit of a helicopter, I formed an idea and a vision of what I wanted for my life beyond the Army. I worked out a rough idea of the kind of man I needed to be for a future wife and children. I imagined the place that would be suitable for raising a family and the kind of community that would bring out the best in them. I imagined Fayette County.

So, once I was married and our family began to grow, it was time to leave military service and move home; we headed back to Fayette County. It was the perfect place to start and grow our small businesses and raise our children in a community where faith, family, hard work, and kindness still matter. I traded military service for local public service and was elected to the Flatonia City Council, where I still serve.

During those daydreams across the expanses of Afghanistan, I committed to doing the difficult things to ensure the welfare of my family and community, and to preserve the promise of a bright future that those before had secured for me. To this end, I am running for County Judge.

THE PROMISE

I will not promise what I cannot deliver. I can, however, make these promises. As Judge I will:

Preserve what makes Fayette County great.

The reality is, change is inevitable but it must be steered and directed. Balancing progress and tradition helps the county grow the right way without losing what makes it special. New jobs, housing, and infrastructure are important, but so are our farms, historic main streets, and community values. Thoughtful planning—like guiding growth to town centers, protecting open space, and supporting local businesses—keeps our character strong while expanding opportunity. Celebrating heritage through preservation and community events builds pride, while investing in modern services and infrastructure keeps us competitive. With open public input, we can welcome change that benefits residents today and safeguards our identity for the next generation.

Listen.

Listening is the most important part of communication and also the least commonly practiced. I will listen with respect, patience, and an open mind. I will seek out diverse voices, make it easy to share feedback, and respond in a timely, honest way. I will ask clarifying questions, reflect back what I’ve heard, and follow up so you know how your input shaped decisions. I will meet people where they are—online, in person, and in multiple formats—to reduce barriers.

Say what I mean and do what I say.

I say what I mean and do what I say. I’m clear about goals, timelines, and expectations, and I follow through. If something changes, I communicate it early and take responsibility. You can count on my word and my actions to match.

Maximize our resources.

Maximizing the county’s resources is essential for delivering reliable services, strengthening fiscal health, and building long-term resilience. By aligning budgets with clear priorities, eliminating redundancies, and leveraging data to target improvement, the county can stretch every dollar further. Strategic partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and neighboring jurisdictions can unlock shared capacity, while competitive grants and public–private financing expand funding without overburdening taxpayers. Optimizing assets—like underused facilities, land, and technology—improves service delivery and spurs economic development. Finally, transparent performance metrics ensure accountability and help redirect resources to what works, creating a virtuous cycle of efficiency, equity, and trust.

Treat everyone with respect.

I will treat everyone with respect and fairness. I’ll be courteous, listen carefully, and communicate clearly. I’ll be on time, prepared, and keep my word. I’ll judge situations by facts and actions, not assumptions. When disagreements arise, I’ll stay calm, be direct, and work toward a practical solution. There will be decorum in the court room and throughout the County government.

Bring an outside-the-courthouse perspective.

I have never worked in the county courthouse nor am I a government bureaucrat, I bring a perspective shaped by real-world experience, not courthouse routines. I will focus on how decisions affect communities, businesses, and citizens, leading to practical solutions and clear communication. I am unencumbered by existing divides, informal networks, or the status quo. I have the clear eyes of someone with an outside perspective and I will use it to your advantage.

Ensure good governance.

Ensuring good governance means making decisions that are transparent, accountable, and rooted in ethical standards. Clear roles, conflict-of-interest rules, and open data help prevent waste and build trust. Open public engagement improves policies and outcomes. Data-driven planning, independent audits, and performance metrics keep programs on track and funds well managed. Strong procurement, cybersecurity, and records practices protect the public interest. Continuous learning and regular reviews support improvement and long-term resilience.

Keep a cool head and fair hand.

Keeping a cool head and being fair were non-negotiable in the military, especially when pressure, fatigue, and conflicting information made decisions hardest. In tough moments—whether under fire, managing scarce resources, or mediating between units—you learn to slow down, stick to the facts, and apply the same standards to everyone, regardless of rank or familiarity. Clear rules of engagement, disciplined checklists, and after-action reviews reinforce that fairness isn’t softness; it’s how teams trust their leader and execute the mission. Staying calm, hearing all sides, and making measured calls keeps people safe, maintains morale, and delivers results when it counts most.

THE METHOD

I am process oriented and outcome focused. My military training and small business experience have engrained in me the necessity of having a consistent and repeatable process for decision making. As County Judge, I will evaluate every decision through three lenses: Quality of Life, Prosperity, and Good Governance. First, I’ll ask how it affects safety, roads, housing, health, and the everyday experience of residents. Second, I’ll weigh its impact on jobs, small businesses, tax base, and long-term economic growth. Third, I’ll judge whether it strengthens transparency, accountability, and efficient use of public funds. If an idea doesn’t improve at least one of these, I won't support it. This process allows for identifying conflicts and deliberately making decisions—for example: a new road may improve quality of life for residents in an area but negatively impact prosperity for business owners if the new road diverts traffic away from their businesses. In this example, the conflict is identified and the degree to which it affects quality of life and prosperity must be determined in order to make the best decision possible. This consistent framework keeps choices practical, fair, and focused on measurable results.