Background

While I am originally from outside Cleveland (and for better or worse still a Cleveland sports fan), I have lived in the Chicago area for 30 years. My wife Robin, an educator, and I moved to Wilmette 20 years ago and have since added two boys (students at New Trier High School) and Shaker (our dog) to our family. We feel incredibly fortunate to live and raise our kids in this community. 

Professionally, I am a CFA charterholder and spent 20 years with Aurora Investment Management, a Chicago-based investment firm, ultimately as the Chief Investment Officer and a Managing Partner. At Aurora, I co-led the development and implementation of our due diligence and analytical process.

Beyond, and building on my career in finance, I have made an impact in the community.  I served as the Chairman of the Board for the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook. I have volunteered with the Economic Advisory Council as a lecturer on financial literacy in Chicago Public Schools. I am active with both my undergraduate university, Miami University, where I co-chaired the Business Advisory Council, as well as the University of Chicago, where I received my MBA while working full-time at Aurora.

I can often be seen jogging towards the lakefront, walking my dog, or spending time with my family.

Accomplishments

While I cannot take individual responsibility—our successes are a result of a team effort involving the Board, Appointed Commissions, and, most importantly, our dedicated staff—I am proud of the following board accomplishments over the past four years:

Fiscal Responsibility

• Limited tax levy increases to an average 1.8% annual increase for the 2022–2025 budgets, compared to a 5% average yearly CPI increase from 2021–2024.

• Maintained Wilmette’s Aaa credit rating from Moody’s.

• Held most fees steady.

Infrastructure Investment

• Averaged over three miles of road improvements per year to show continuous improvement in the overall road network.

• Phased implementation of the Active Transportation Plan (View the Master Plan) to improve the pedestrian and bicycle network.

• Implemented an alley reconstruction plan to show continuous improvement in the overall network.

• Invested in the water distribution infrastructure to ensure a safe supply of water.

Economic Development

• Invested in the vitality of downtown Wilmette through Ouilmette Way, the Veterans Park mural, and community events such as The Block Party.

• Attracted significant private capital investment and new businesses, including:

1. Wayfair’s first branded brick-and-mortar store.

2. New ownership and revitalization plans for Plaza Del Lago and Edens Plaza.

Public Safety Investments

• Worked through preliminary planning for a new police station including site selection and hiring an architect.

• Enhanced public safety through investments in:

1. Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs). At the time, I was Chair of the Public Safety committee that recommended approval.

2. A new (albeit used to save money) patrol boat to support community safety initiatives.

• Passed a board resolution advocating for gun safety reform at the state level.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Approved and laid the foundation for key plans, including:

1. The Active Transportation Plan (View the Master Plan).

2. The Sustainability Plan (View the Sustainability Plan).

• Implemented a Tree Preservation Ordinance to protect this vital resource for future generations.

• Hired a Sustainability Coordinator in partnership with the Wilmette Park District, Wilmette Library, New Trier Township, and local schools.  

• Adopted a Comprehensive Plan that includes a focus on Sustainability (View the Comprehensive Plan).

• As a member of the Administrative Committee, I helped conduct due diligence and recommended a plan—ultimately approved by the Board—to purchase 5% of the Village’s energy from renewable sources at no increased cost (Learn more about Municipal Aggregation).

Commitment to Fostering a Welcoming Community

• Strengthened the Village’s commitment to inclusion through the ongoing support of the Human Relations and Housing Commissions.

• Adopted a Comprehensive Plan that includes a section on Inclusion (View the Comprehensive Plan).

• Continued support of affordable housing through the Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH) land trust.

DCT - Diligence, Collaboration, and Transparency

When I first ran for office, I did not come with a specific agenda or cause to champion. Instead, my focus was on Diligence, Collaboration, and Transparency—and after four years I believe these focal points were right on. For example:

Diligence

At its core, diligence is what we, as Trustees, provide to our community. Wilmette operates under a Council-Manager form of government, where the Village Council—commonly referred to as the Board—is composed of six Trustees and a President, all of whom are unpaid volunteers. Together, we serve as the legislative and rule-making body, while the Village Manager, with his staff of approximately 200, executes the policies we enact.

As Trustees, we bring diverse professional and life experiences to the role, but we often lack specific domain expertise on many of the complex issues we address. Our responsibility is to become intensely informed by thoroughly researching and analyzing each topic. My professional background in investment management has equipped me well for this discipline. In my career, I specialized in distilling large amounts of complex information into actionable insights—a skill I’ve found invaluable as a Trustee.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the lifeblood of effective governance, and in Wilmette, it truly "takes a Village." As one of seven votes on the Board, my contributions rely not only on diligence but also on the ability to engage in constructive debate, present reasoned arguments, and propose creative solutions. In addition, much of the input we rely on comes from four key sources:

• Village Staff: Professionals who provide invaluable expertise and recommendations.

• Community Input: Feedback from residents, which helps us understand the diverse perspectives and needs within Wilmette.

• Village Commissions: Wilmette benefits from a robust system of commissions, staffed by community volunteers who often bring deep domain expertise. For example, the Zoning Review Board, which examines zoning cases and makes recommendations to the Board, includes members with architectural, legal, or other relevant experience.

• Board Committees: Committees staffed by subsets of Trustees provide focused analysis and guidance on specific areas.

Using this wealth of information, we ask thoughtful questions, conduct fieldwork, and engage in constructive discussions—often over multiple public meetings—before casting our votes. This process ensures that every decision is informed, thoughtful, and reflective of the best interests of our community.

Transparency

Transparency is essential to maintaining the trust of the residents we serve. This value encompasses two primary areas:

1. Compliance with the Open Meetings Act: This ensures that decisions and deliberations are made in public meetings and that residents have access to detailed Agenda Packets, often containing hundreds of pages of information. Additionally, the committees and commissions that contribute to these decisions are also public and adhere to the same transparency requirements, fostering broader community engagement.

2. Clear Communication: Beyond meeting legal obligations, I believe it is crucial to be available to our residents and to clearly explain the rationale behind our decisions. By sharing the thought process, research, and discussions that inform our choices, we help residents understand how decisions are made—even if they may not always agree with the outcomes. Transparency builds trust, fosters understanding, and strengthens the connection between residents and their local government.