♪♪
-I have always been
both a practical person, but also an optimistic person.
♪♪
In our office,
we ensure that land use decisions,
land use policies are viewed through
an equity lens to make for a better future
for neighborhoods that is inclusive of all people,
regardless of their race or their income level.
I'm a born and raised Seattleite.
I did my undergraduate at Washington University in St Louis,
went to University of Washington, graduate school, did my thesis
on what is now the Northwest African American Museum,
and was in practice as an architect for 27 years.
Over the course of that 27 years, I was probably on 15
to 20 different boards and committees.
And then I had the opportunity to join the City of Seattle in 2021.
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My wife,
Kate and I met at a dinner, started talking about land use, policy planning
and the urban rural divide.
[laughter]
And it was love at first sight.
I'm very fortunate to have her in my life,
particularly as we take on this next journey.
♪♪
I was diagnosed with lymphoma last November.
It's it's been a... it's been a
it's been a difficult experience.
The one thing that has changed
since receiving this diagnosis has been around trust.
I have to allow other people to take charge and to get things done, which,
you know, thinking about One Seattle plan, the Comprehensive Plan for the city,
we're trying to do that as well, where we are trying to empower community
to be in charge, to tell us what it is that we need to be doing.
The most important thing for me to do is to listen.
And by listening, I learn what's important to people
and what makes them feel nurtured and feels supported.
And that's what creates community.
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