Why are you running for office?

Fraud has had a direct impact on every Minnesotan, including my family.

I have personally seen what happens when government programs fail to protect taxpayer dollars. A program overbilled the government, was ultimately shut down, and the consequences fell on my family member, who was forced back onto the streets and had to start their recovery program all over again.

This isn’t just about dollars and cents. Fraud, waste, and government mismanagement have real consequences for real people.

I’m running as an Independent because Minnesotans deserve a State Auditor who answers to the people, not a political party.

I bring a unique combination of experience as a data analyst, health informatics professional, and senior military healthcare leader. I know how to use data to identify problems, manage complex organizations, and hold systems accountable.

We can use those skills to detect fraud earlier, protect taxpayer dollars, and begin rebuilding trust in our government.

What experiences have prepared you to serve effectively in this role?

My prior experience and education include nearly 17 years of military leadership as a retired Army Major, along with a Master of Health Informatics from the University of Minnesota, with a concentration in Data Analytics and Data Visualization. I led a team that created a worldwide interactive data dashboard used by the Defense Health Agency, Pentagon, and White House. I am also trained in continuous process improvement and standardization through the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt program. Throughout my military career, I managed and led teams, departments, and divisions consisting of hundreds of civilians and Service Members from across the world on some of the largest IT projects in the history of the Military Health System.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

1. Streamline Reporting - We will work with all pertinent state agencies to implement a more streamlined reporting systems that will help local governments succeed and expedite audits

2. Real-time fraud detection - Then, from those inputs from the local governments, and others, we will leverage cutting-edge technology to detect fraud in real-time

3. Full Transparency - Lastly, that data will be fed into a fully interactive OSA website, so data is accessible to everyone. Full transparency, as the law permits. All of these priorities will protect all Minnesotans.

How do plan to address your top priorities?

Under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 6, the State Auditor has broad authority to improve the audit process, conduct investigations, and help ensure the financial integrity of our local governments. We will work directly with the Legislature to strengthen internal and structural controls that protect taxpayer dollars. Just as importantly, we will work alongside our local governments to identify their strengths, uncover potential weaknesses, and provide support where we can. The goal is not simply to find problems after they occur, but to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the people you hope to represent?

The greatest challenge facing Minnesotans will be regaining their trust. For years they have been used as pawns in a political game between the two major parties. We will bring integrity, transparency, and accountability to the OSA, not more political rhetoric. 

Public service requires collaboration. How would you work with individuals who hold different viewpoints?

As the only Independent candidate, this comes naturally to me. Throughout my nearly 17 years in the military and later as a senior leader, I learned that listening to different perspectives and encouraging respectful debate are critical to the success of an organization and its mission.

I am open to different points of view, and I believe the best decisions come from thoughtful consideration and honest debate. Under my leadership, everyone will have an opportunity to be heard, and their ideas will receive the consideration they deserve. The State Auditor’s Office will be a place where difficult decisions are sometimes necessary, but they will be made after respectful, meaningful debate and careful consideration of all perspectives.

How will you communicate with and remain accessible to your constituents? 

Communication with Minnesotans is paramount to rebuilding trust in government. We deserve transparency and candor, even when the news isn’t good.

We will make data publicly accessible through the OSA website, with clear explanations when appropriate. We will also regularly appear, virtually or in person, at local government meetings to provide updates that matter to their communities.

I also want to establish a recurring “Ask the Auditor” live series where Minnesotans can ask questions directly and get answers. I would encourage legislators to join these discussions to provide updates and help Minnesotans better understand what is happening at the Capitol.

Lastly, I would establish a direct feedback mechanism through the OSA website where Minnesotans can share concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback that our staff will monitor and respond to. Rebuilding trust starts with being accessible, transparent, and willing to have honest conversations with the people we serve.

At the end of your term, what accomplishments would define success?

Ultimately, Minnesotans will decide whether we were successful. After four years, I want them to see an Auditor’s Office that has earned back their trust, protected their hard-earned tax dollars through the implementation of 21st-century technology, and held people accountable when things went wrong. We should be finding vulnerabilities before they become headlines, not reading about them after the damage is done. One measure of success will be simple: fewer headlines about failures of oversight and more evidence that we are proactively protecting Minnesota taxpayers.

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

Outside of politics, my family is everything to me. My cancer diagnosis in 2022 was a major wake-up call. I had spent much of my life focused on work, the next mission, and the next responsibility, and I think I sometimes took the time I had with my family for granted. That changed very quickly.

Today, I appreciate the time I get to spend with my family and the people around me more than I ever have. It put a lot of things into perspective and reminded me that life is about more than a career or a title.

And just to make sure I’m not too serious all the time, there’s something else voters should know about me: I’m a professional poker dealer, and I love it!