Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller

My leadership has been a journey of humility, learning, reflection, coaching and growth. What we do matters, but people remember how we made them feel, helped them grow and touched their lives. These experiences have shaped my five commitments: genuine leadership; building and nurturing relationships; personal and professional growth; excellence; and serving while having fun. Together, they guide my decisions and shape how I serve others. 

Leadership is not defined by a title or authority. It is a choice and an opportunity to make a lasting difference. I believe some of the strongest leadership happens quietly, from behind. One of my proudest leadership moments was watching someone gain confidence, take ownership and succeed at something they once thought was beyond them. That meant more to me than any project or technology we delivered. 

My purpose is simple: “To make a difference in life, one soul at a time.” My approach to leadership is simple: serve people, help them grow and achieve results together.

Technology advances organizations, but developing people advances humanity. 

Leadership Begins beyond the Title

You don't need a title to lead. Real influence is earned through trust, character and helping others grow. As John Maxwell reminds us, leadership happens in every direction. That influence enables us to support, inspire and develop others.

This matters even more in a world of constant change, new technologies, artificial intelligence and rising expectations. Yet technology alone does not create transformation.

Technology opens the door to transformation; people make it real.   

Time is a Non-Renewable Resource

Time is limited and cannot be recovered. The moments we give become the story of our lives. A minute spent listening, mentoring, encouraging or helping someone may be more valuable than anything we can give materially. To be a genuine leader is to make those moments count.

So much to learn, so much to do, so much to explore and so little time.   

Every Interaction is a Defining Moment

My experience serving others taught me that every interaction matters. A response to a mistake can create fear or learning. A difficult conversation can weaken or strengthen a relationship. Emotional intelligence helps a leader recognize these moments and choose a response that builds trust.

Technology advances organizations, but developing people advances humanity.

Taking the time to understand the person in front of us builds stronger, more meaningful relationships. To be a leader is to go that extra mile and create opportunities for growth.    

Trust is the Secret Sauce for Innovation 

Trust is earned one interaction at a time. I think of it as a trust bank account. Every decision and action makes a deposit or withdrawal. Trust grows from both character and competence. When trust is strong, people collaborate, speak openly, take responsibility and deliver better service.

Innovation begins with trust. When people feel safe to share ideas, learn from mistakes and take responsible risks, they grow, creativity flourishes and innovation follows. We fail forward.

Mistakes become opportunities to learn, adapt and improve.

Meet People where They Are

Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership reminds us that leadership is not one-size-fits-all. Great leaders adapt to meet people where they are.

Someone new may need direction. Someone learning may need coaching. A capable but uncertain person may need support. Someone ready to lead may need autonomy.

The goal is to cultivate self-reliance, not dependence. 

Growing People, Pursuing Excellence

Leaders are often judged by projects, systems and results. Those measures matter. But when the work is done, another question matters just as much:

How many people grew because of the work we did?

The best technology investments help people grow. And that growth is part of what creates excellence.

Excellence is not perfection. It is about becoming better, one decision, one interaction and one day at a time. Technology creates possibilities, but people create excellence through learning, growth and service. 

The Leader I Aspire to Be  

When I look back on my journey, I do not want the most important question to be, “What did I accomplish?” I want it to be, “Did I make a difference in at least one life?” 

Early in my journey, I believed leadership was about having answers. Over time, I learned it was more about asking questions, listening carefully and helping others discover their own potential. 

Before we think about the legacy we will leave, we should remember those who helped shape ours. Perhaps our greatest legacy is the people we help grow and the lives we touch.

I hope my legacy lives on through the people I helped grow and the lives I touched.

That hope brings me back to the purpose that has guided my journey:

“To make a difference in life, one soul at a time.”

That is more than a purpose. It is the leadership legacy I aspire to build.