Leadership and Stewardship: Why It Matters for Pleasant Hill

When we talk about leadership in Pleasant Hill, it is not just about ideas or good intentions. It is about responsibility. It is about stewardship. And it is about taking care of the resources that belong to all of us.

Each year, our city manages a budget of roughly $26 million. That budget supports everything from public safety and street maintenance to parks, facilities, and city services that touch our daily lives. These are not abstract numbers. They represent real work, real people, and real outcomes for our community.

Every dollar in the city budget comes from taxpayers. That reality makes strong financial stewardship essential and reinforces the responsibility local leaders have to manage those resources carefully, transparently, and with respect for the community.

My professional background has taught me how important that responsibility is. Over my career, I have helped start, grow, and lead businesses. Today, I run a manufacturing company with more than 150 employees. In that role, I am responsible for budgets, contracts, payroll, planning, and long-term decision-making. When you manage money poorly, people feel it. When you plan carefully and act responsibly, businesses grow, jobs are protected, and futures are strengthened.

That same mindset applies to city government. Financial discipline does not mean cutting corners or ignoring needs. It means asking the right questions, planning ahead, and making sure dollars are spent where they deliver real value to the community.

I also want to be clear about something important. Pleasant Hill’s city employees and administrators have done an outstanding job with the resources they have been given. You can see it across our town. Improved parks and sports fields. Well-maintained infrastructure. Capital projects that are moving the city forward and setting the stage for an exciting 2026. These results do not happen by accident. They are the product of hardworking public servants who care deeply about this community.

Strong leadership means supporting those employees. It means giving them clear direction, stable planning, and responsible budgets so they can continue doing their jobs well. When city employees are supported, the entire community benefits.

I am not running for City Council to change what makes Pleasant Hill special. I love the small-town character of this place. I love the pride people take in their homes, their schools, and their teams. I love the sense of community that shows up on Friday nights and at local events. Those things matter, and they deserve protection.

At the same time, leadership requires preparing for the future. Infrastructure ages. Communities grow. Needs change. Thoughtful planning today helps ensure Pleasant Hill remains strong, safe, and financially stable for years to come.

Leadership and stewardship go hand in hand. They are about earning trust, honoring the work already being done, and making decisions that serve both today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities.

That is the approach I bring from my professional life, and it is the approach I want to bring to City Council. Pleasant Hill deserves leadership that respects taxpayers, supports city employees, and plans responsibly for the future we are building together.