About Jeff

A Little About Me 

When I was 18 years old, I thought I had my career mapped out. I planned to become a firefighter/paramedic while working as a photojournalist on my days off. I volunteered with the Florence Fire Department for five years and earned my EMT certification. Although life took me in a different direction, those years taught me an important lesson: emergency responders meet people on some of the worst days of their lives.

As a member of the Florence City Council, I want to help prevent as many of those difficult days as possible. And when tragedy does occur, I want to ensure our police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and public works employees have the resources they need to respond quickly and effectively—whether it's a fire, traffic accident, crime, or water main break.

I married my wife, Vanessa, on June 13, 1992. We have three grown children and one grandchild. Vanessa has been my partner through every adventure, including a seven-year assignment in Zhangjiagang, China, where my employer asked me to oversee the construction and startup of a new chemical plant. What began as a three-year assignment became seven years, giving us the opportunity to experience different cultures throughout Asia. Through it all, Vanessa has remained my moral compass and trusted advisor.

My career ultimately led me down a path I never expected. I have spent 39 of the past 41 years with my current employer. During that time, I learned to look at problems objectively—to see things as they are, not as we wish they were. That approach has served me well throughout my career and is one I will bring to the Florence City Council.

Today, I serve as the Predictive and Preventive Maintenance Coordinator at Dow's Carrollton, Kentucky facility. Working with engineers and skilled maintenance professionals, I develop and manage the inspection and maintenance programs that help keep the plant operating safely and reliably. I also oversee the maintenance history and cost database for thousands of assets. My job requires careful planning, attention to detail, fiscal responsibility, and making decisions based on facts rather than assumptions.

Along the way, I earned a bachelor's degree in business and accounting and an associate's degree in turfgrass management. During a brief retirement from 2016 to 2018, I worked at two golf courses, including as Assistant Superintendent at World of Golf here in Florence. Those experiences reinforced my appreciation for well-maintained parks, recreational facilities, and the quality of life they provide for our community.

Having traveled throughout the United States and around the world, I've seen firsthand what happens when communities stop investing in themselves. Vacant storefronts, declining shopping centers, and abandoned businesses are reminders that no city can take its success for granted. I will work to keep Florence's retail corridors vibrant, attractive, and competitive.

Trust in government has declined across our nation. While I can't change Washington, I can help make local government more transparent and accountable. I will work to ensure city our government is open, accessible, and responsive to the people it serves. My decisions will always be guided by what is best for Florence—not by special interests or outside influence.

I don't claim to have all the answers. But I do promise this: I will seek the truth, ask thoughtful questions, carefully consider unintended consequences, and work tirelessly to find practical solutions that put Florence first.

People often ask why I want to serve on the City Council.

The answer is simple.

I want to serve my community and leave Florence even better than we found it.