Position for which you are a candidate: Village of Carpentersville President

For the past eight years, I’ve had the honor of serving as Village President, driven by a vision to improve efficiency and accountability in local government. When I first ran, our government wasn’t effectively serving all of its residents. Over my tenure, we’ve worked to change that—prioritizing community investments, revitalizing neglected infrastructure, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. Carpentersville is stronger than ever, and I remain committed to building on this momentum. My vision for Carpentersville includes improving aging infrastructure, driving economic development, and enhancing public safety. I actively engage with residents, ensuring their voices are heard, building consensus, and promoting government transparency. I am dedicated to advocating for and representing all residents, ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping the future of our community.
For the past eight years, every decision I’ve made as Village President has been fact-based and data-driven. I trust our dedicated village staff to convey residents’ needs, ensuring projects are completed in the community’s best interest. Above all, I pride myself on integrity, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. I am committed to ethical governance and responsible financial management, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently to keep Carpentersville thriving while continuing to support all members of our community.

What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?

As a lifelong resident of Carpentersville, I have always been committed to making our village the best it can be. I proudly served over 30 years with the Carpentersville Fire Department, including the position of Fire Chief. My education includes a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership, a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science Management, a graduate of the National Fire Academy Officer Program, and experienced emergency management officer relating to public safety. Beyond my career in the fire service, I’ve been actively involved in our community over my adult life. This includes as a member of the Carpentersville Moose Lodge, Carpentersville Morning Rotary Club, a substitute teacher for District 300, and a coach for Dundee-Crown football and the Boys & Girls Club basketball program. I am the best candidate for Village President because of my lifelong commitment to Carpentersville and my record of putting residents first. With nearly 40 years of service to the Village of Carpentersville, I have extensive experience in local government, budgeting, and community planning.

What will be your highest priorities if elected?

The village is currently focusing on several critical infrastructure projects to enhance community well-being and support growth. The most important project that we are in the planning stages for is the installation of a redundant water supply system to supply our residents on the west side of the village. Currently, if there is a failure in the water system, all residents and businesses on the west side will be affected. This project is going to take a lot of time and resources to execute, but we must ensure our residents have the ability to have a safe, clean, and uninterrupted supply of drinking water throughout all areas of the village. We are currently working hard on our Old Town Area Improvement Project. This includes pavement reconstruction, new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, enhanced street lighting, and improvements to storm sewers, water mains, and sanitary systems. Finally, the L.W. Besinger Drive Reconstruction project which is funded partly by a $1.8 million federal grant, aims to resurface and reconstruct sections of L.W. Besinger Drive. Plans include new curbs, gutters, pedestrian enhancements, storm sewer improvements, and street lighting.

I will participate in the candidate meet & greet: