Political party: Democrat
Where you live:Â Thurmont
Current occupation and employers (may also list up to two previous jobs you’ve held); if retired, list your last job and employer: Chief deputy register of wills for Frederick County since 2010
Political experience (public offices held and when; as well as unsuccessful campaigns for office and which years; do not include political party positions):Â I have not previously run for office.
1 – Why are you running for this office? (75 words max)
As chief deputy for the last 12 years, I have run the day-to-day operations of the office as the counterpart to Registers Virginia Fifer and Sharon Keller. When Register Keller retires, I wish to continue the highly efficient and service-oriented nature of the office. Frederick County families deserve respect, compassion, and the best service that can be provided. I believe I am the candidate that can best deliver that to them.
2 – What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office? (100 words max)
I am an attorney admitted to the bar in 2003 and have always practiced in estates and trusts. My career has been built around helping families work through the probate process. I have worked with the two most recent registers for over a decade. During that service, I assisted the registers in attaining three crystal-clear legislative audits, built a team of dedicated employees, assisted several panels of the Orphans’ Court with managing their caseload, and managed all ofthe financial and legal aspects of the very office I am running to win.
3 – Are there any important issues, other than qualifications, that voters should consider? (100 words)
Voters should consider direct experience with the issues involved in running the register’s office. The office remits between $4 million and $5 million per year to the general fund, supervises approximately 95% of all estates administratively, and opens over 1,300 estates annually. The office requires human resources management, financial reconciliation, reporting requirements to the comptroller, and assistance to the public and legal community. There are an enormous number of legal areas that intersect with estate administration, such as contract law, domestic relations, real property, and appellate practice. With such a broad array of responsibilities, experience is key
