Students First. Strong Schools. A Thriving Grand Rapids.
Students first. Always. These students will become our future neighbors, coworkers, parents, business leaders, and citizens. They matter to our economy and our community—but most importantly, they matter simply because they are kids, and helping them thrive is the right thing to do.
Why I’m Running
I love this city and the people who call it home. I am running because I believe Grand Rapids Public Schools is one of the most important institutions in West Michigan—and because I want to help make our community a place where every student can learn, grow, and flourish.
Grand Rapids is Home. I was born and raised in Grand Rapids. After years of education, athletics, military service, nonprofit work, and some other adventures, my family and I chose to return and build our future here.
How I’ll Serve
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Every decision should begin with a simple question: Will this help students learn, grow, and flourish?
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The challenges facing our schools are complicated. Parents, churches, educators, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders all have a role to play.
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Taxpayer dollars are a public trust. We need strong schools and responsible, transparent stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.
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Grand Rapids has tremendous people and institutions. We should build on those strengths rather than assume that our problems are too difficult to solve.
It’s not just about what we do, but how we do it. As a professional athlete, volunteer firefighter, soldier-diplomat, and humanitarian, I’ve learned that the hardest challenges are best met when people come together and work as a team.
Priorities
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Strong Academics
Every student deserves a strong educational foundation and the opportunity to graduate prepared for the next chapter.
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Supporting Teachers
Teachers are heroes and need our support so that they can fulfill their calling of shaping the next generation.
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Athletics and Activities
Sports, arts, clubs, and extracurriculars help young people discover purpose, build character, develop leadership, and find belonging.
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Student Wellbeing
As a father, I care deeply about the challenges facing today's young people—from anxiety and mental health to technology and social isolation.
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Civic Education and Service
Schools should help students understand how our country works and the responsibilities that come with citizenship, including the importance of serving others.
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Technology
We must teach students to engage with technology as a tool while setting boundaries that protect their health and formation.
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Career Connected Learning
Students must leave GRPS prepared to enter the workforce, attend higher education, or serve our country in the military.
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Fiscal Responsibility
The taxpayers of our community entrust the school system with resources that must be stewarded well.
Education is about more than test score.
A great education prepares young people for more than a test. It helps them develop academically, physically, socially, vocationally, and as citizens.
Academic
Strong reading, writing, mathematics, science, and critical thinking.
Physical
Health, athletics, activity, and lifelong habits.
Social
Strong connections with peers, families, and community members.
Well-Being
Helping young people navigate anxiety, technology, relationships, and the challenges of growing up.
Civic
Understanding our institutions, responsibilities, freedoms, and opportunities to serve.
Vocational
Preparing students for college, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, military service, and meaningful work.
The Power of Sports
I grew up around sports. My dad spent his career telling stories about athletes and teams—stories about perseverance, sacrifice, community, and people at their best.
I've experienced those lessons myself as an athlete and coach.
Sports can give young people a place to belong, something to work toward, and a community to be proud of. They build character and promote lifelong physical health.
Grand Rapids has extraordinary young athletes. I want to see GRPS take pride in athletics and provide students with opportunities to compete, lead, grow, and represent their schools with excellence.
Make an Impact Today
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We Don't Walk Away From Hard Things
The challenges are real. Today, just 23% of GRPS students are proficient in reading and 17% are proficient in math—but 14,000 students are counting on us as a community to do better for them.¹ Some are dealing with poverty, unstable housing, homelessness, family difficulties, anxiety, and circumstances that no school can solve by itself.
But that is precisely why collaboration matters. When we see something that isn't right in our community, we don't shrug and let it be.
We roll up our sleeves. We work together. We make things better.
That's what I want to be part of.
I love Grand Rapids, and I believe in its people. I want to help love this city into greatness so that every person—and every student—has the opportunity to thrive.
¹ Michigan Department of Education, Michigan School Data, Grand Rapids Public Schools, 2024–25 assessment data.