Abbotsford has been home for most of my life.

I first moved here in the late 1990s and graduated from MEI.

Over the years, this city became much more than a place to live. It's where I met my wife, where we've been married for 19 years, where we've raised our son and daughter, found our church, built lifelong friendships, and put down roots.

No matter how much Abbotsford has grown, it has never lost its small-town heart.

What I love most about this community is its people.

Time and again, I've seen neighbours step up for one another, volunteer, support local businesses, and care deeply about making this city a better place. That's the Abbotsford I know.

For nearly two decades, I've worked in home building and renovation, serving as a project manager responsible for coordinating people, solving problems, managing budgets, and keeping projects moving forward. I am a licensed home Builder and have built over 25 custom homes. I've also had the opportunity to build and operate small businesses, with my wife Mallery we started RE:VIVE Boutique Bistro over 4 years ago. All of which has given me a firsthand understanding of the dedication, risk, and long hours that come with creating something of your own. The sacrifice it takes to get things done. And the willpower to keep going when facing opposition.

For the past three years, I've also served on the board of the Downtown Abbotsford Business Association. Through that experience, I've become even more invested in the future of our downtown and in finding ways to make it a place where people want to live, work, visit, and invest.

I've been actively involved in efforts to make downtown Abbotsford more appealing to residents, businesses, and tourists, while also working to find practical solutions to the challenges we face, including homelessness. I believe these issues are connected. A healthy downtown needs to be safe, welcoming, vibrant, and supportive of both the people who call it home and the businesses that invest in it.

I've considered public service for several years, but it wasn't until I was encouraged by Councillor Patricia Driessen earlier this year that I felt the time was right to step forward.

I believe the decisions made over the next several years will shape Abbotsford for generations, and I want to help ensure we're building a city our children will be proud to inherit.

One of my biggest concerns is the unnecessary red tape that too often slows progress. Residents and businesses deserve a city that is responsive, efficient, and focused on getting things done. I believe we can encourage responsible growth while reducing unnecessary delays and making City Hall work better for everyone.

I believe City Hall should be a partner to those who are investing in Abbotsford, not an obstacle standing in their way. When local businesses succeed, our entire community benefits.

My faith has played a significant role in my life. I'm actively involved in my church, lead a men's group, and my wife and I have the privilege of providing pre-marriage counselling for couples preparing to begin their lives together. These experiences have reinforced the values that guide me every day: honesty, integrity, hard work, and serving others.

No one lives a life without mistakes. I've certainly made mine, but each one has taught me valuable lessons. I've learned that leadership isn't about pretending to have all the answers. It's about listening, learning, taking responsibility, and continuing to grow.

Whether someone agrees with me or not, I want them to know they will always be treated with respect. I believe we can disagree without being disagreeable, find common ground where possible, and always keep the best interests of Abbotsford at the centre of every decision.

The only promise I can honestly make is this: I will approach every decision with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to making Abbotsford stronger for families today and for future generations. My goal is simple. Leave this community better than we found it so our children, and someday their children, can continue building on that foundat ion.