Community Leader & Veteran. Advocate for education that unites, not divides. Committed to transparency, safety, and excellence for every student—now and always.
I recently watched this short clip from Dr. Condoleezza Rice discussing school choice and opportunity, and it struck a nerve — especially when I think about Loudoun County, VA.
We live in one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, yet we still see clear economic disparities and persistent achievement gaps among students from disadvantaged communities. In parts of Sterling and other areas with higher concentrations of low-income and Latino families, academic performance and access to resources often lag behind county averages.
That contradiction should concern all of us. Prosperity at the county level does not automatically translate into equal opportunity at the classroom level.
For me, this isn’t about ideology — it’s about accountability, outcomes, and ensuring that every child, regardless of ZIP code or household income, has a genuine chance to succeed. Policies and decisions made over many years have contributed to where we are today, and we have a responsibility to evaluate what is and isn’t working.
My hope is that newly elected leaders and community stakeholders can be agents of positive change — moving beyond partisan cycles and focusing on practical solutions that break the pattern of inequity. Our students deserve more than debates; they deserve measurable progress and real opportunity.
82 years ago today, nearly 160,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, launching the liberation of Europe.
We are free because they were brave. 🇺🇸
Memorial Day is much more than the start of summer or a long weekend. For many of us who have worn the uniform, it is a solemn reminder of the brave men and women who never made it home.
Today, I ask our community to pause for a moment and reflect on those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, our freedoms, and our way of life. Their courage, selflessness, and devotion to duty secured blessings that we often enjoy without realizing the tremendous cost behind them.
As a retired Air Force officer and proud American, I remain deeply grateful to those heroes and to the families who continue to carry their memory forward.
May we never forget that freedom is not free.
God bless our fallen heroes, their families, and the United States of America.
#MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen #NeverForget #Veterans #Freedom
I had the extraordinary privilege of watching my daughter graduate with honors from the College of William & Mary this past weekend. It was a moment filled with immense pride, gratitude, and unforgettable “Dad moments.”
Seeing the dedication, perseverance, and hard work of these young graduates come to fruition was truly inspiring. I pray for God’s continued blessings upon my daughter and all the recent graduates as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on a job exceptionally well done…we are so incredibly proud of you!
Well done, Brazil…what a beautiful and inspiring gift to the world!
This photo reminds us that persistence, patience, and dedication (3 years in the case of this picture) can turn a vision into something extraordinary.
May we never give up on the dreams and goals that inspire us.
Full article below:
https://t.co/ZPASaJeNtu
On this Mother’s Day, I want to recognize and celebrate all mothers for the incredible impact they have on our families, our communities, and future generations.
I am especially grateful for my mother and my wife; two extraordinary women who lead with love, compassion, faith, and selfless devotion to others. Their ability to care deeply for everyone around them is truly inspiring, and our family is blessed because of them.
Thank you both for the countless sacrifices you make and for the example you set every single day.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there!
Absolutely electric!
Last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby ended in a stunning photo finish, with two brothers from Puerto Rico taking first and second place…un orgullo Boricua!
Seeing them charge from the back of the pack to the winner's circle was pure magic…video below:
https://t.co/D0hLAOxWFw
Congratulations to Lt Gen Douglas A. Schiess on his nomination for promotion to General and selection to serve as the next Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force. It has been an honor serving under his leadership at HQ USSF S3/4/7.
https://t.co/0SKIRrdee2
This nomination reflects a distinguished career dedicated to operational excellence, innovation, and advancing America’s space warfighting capabilities. The Space Force and our nation will continue to benefit from his leadership.
Semper Supra!
#USSF #SpaceForce #CSO #MilitaryLeadership
Congrats to Lt Gen Doug Schiess on his nomination to become the next Chief of Space Operations. Leading the @USSpaceForce has been the privilege of a lifetime for Jennifer and me. Semper Supra! https://t.co/JZvP1gHClr
Last Saturday I attended an important community event hosted by the Parent Coalition to End Human Trafficking. Hearing directly from survivors and experts made one thing clear: human trafficking is not a distant issue—it’s present in our region and increasingly impacting our youth.
One point that stood out deeply: the majority of victims are not who people often assume:
• 80% of trafficked youth are “community kids”—students from everyday families.
• More than 90% of exploited/trafficked children are still attending school at the start of their exploitation…some even live at their homes and the parents don’t know they are being trafficked!
That reality changes how we must think about prevention. Here in Loudoun County we have more than 20 families recovering from this tragedy.
In Northern Virginia, our position as a major transit and economic hub brings both opportunity and risk. Additional takeaways that deserve attention:
• Reporting in Virginia is rising, reflecting greater awareness but also the scale of the challenge.
• Approximately 25% of victims are minors, often targeted due to instability or lack of support.
• Recruitment is increasingly digital, happening through social media and gaming platforms our students use every day.
• Labor trafficking remains under-recognized, affecting industries many families rely on.
As someone committed to strengthening our schools, I believe this is where prevention must start. If most victims are still sitting in our classrooms when exploitation begins, then our schools must be equipped to respond.
That means:
• Training educators and staff to recognize early warning signs
• Building trusted environments where students feel safe speaking up
• Partnering with parents to increase awareness of online risks
This is not about politics—it’s about public safety and protecting children. It requires collaboration between schools, families, law enforcement, and community organizations.
I encourage our community to stay informed and engaged with local groups like Starfish Alliance (https://t.co/CT3MZN7Lac) and Parent Coalition to End Human Trafficking (https://t.co/FyHMj25Kka).
If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. You can report tips to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233733.
Thank you to Mr. Junaid Khan and Ms. Valerie Osborne for organizing a well-executed and impactful event. These are the conversations that help keep our students—and our community—safe.
Together we can end human trafficking!
I am proud to support the Parent Coalition to End Human Trafficking and their upcoming event today at 5:00 PM.
Awareness is the first step toward prevention. Join us at the Marriott Courtyard in Dulles Town Center to hear directly from lived survivors and industry experts. Human trafficking is a global crisis, but local engagement makes a real difference in protecting our communities.
Event Details:
• 📅 Date: Today, April 25, 2026
• 🕔 Time: 5:00 PM
• 📍 Location: Marriott Courtyard, Dulles Town Center
Please see the attached flyer for more information on how to RSVP. I hope to see you there.
#EndHumanTrafficking #CommunitySafety #LoudounCounty #Awareness
NEW: Two buses have collided head-on at the Pentagon. This occurred a short time ago in the bus loop adjacent to South Parking. It was not at high speed. More than a dozen injured, mostly minor, with at least one going to a trauma center. It involves a Fairfax County Connector bus and an Omniride bus. It does not appear to be a high speed crash. @ArlingtonVaFD handling with @PFPAOfficial. @ARLnowDOTcom@charlienbc@nbc_washington@NFTC_News@matthewyoung31 #pentagon #buscrash #arlingtonva
84 years ago, on April 18, 1942, the brave airmen of the Doolittle Raiders carried out one of the most daring missions of World War II under the leadership of James H. Doolittle.
Launched from the deck of the USS Hornet (CV-8), these volunteers flew into the unknown with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to something greater than themselves. Their mission reminded a shaken nation of its resilience and resolve.
As a retired Air Force officer, I reflect on their legacy with deep respect. Their example is worth sharing with the next generation—because true grit, service, and love of country are values that must be remembered, taught, and lived.
https://t.co/YBJr2ps5vW
#DoolittleRaiders #Leadership #Service #Courage #NeverForget
🎉 Congratulations to the Artemis II crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — and the entire NASA and CSA team!
What an incredible success! After a historic 10-day journey around the Moon — the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years — you’ve safely returned to Earth, pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight and opening the door for future Moon landings and Mars exploration.
Your bravery and dedication are inspiring the world. Welcome home, heroes! 🇺🇸🌕🚀
Each day within the eight-day celebration of the Easter octave is a solemnity, the Church’s highest class of feast. This means Catholics must shift their thinking when it comes to the usual Friday penance.
Whereas the Church requires Catholics to abstain from meat, fast, or substitute some other penance on Fridays for almost the entire year, all of these practices are contrary to Church discipline when it comes to the celebratory spirit of the Easter octave!
Read more here: https://t.co/FhOVX4eTR6
Happy Easter! ✝️
Today we celebrate the hope, renewal, and victory of the Resurrection. In a world that often feels divided, Easter reminds us that light overcomes darkness, love conquers fear, and new beginnings are always possible.
May this day bring peace to your hearts, strength to your families, and renewed faith in a brighter future for our community.
He is risen—hope lives! 🙏
We are going back to the Moon!
Today, NASA’s Artemis II launches — the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Four astronauts (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen) will ride the powerful SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft on a ~10-day journey. They’ll fly farther from Earth than any humans before, perform a lunar flyby, test critical deep-space systems with crew aboard, and pave the way for future Moon landings and eventual missions to Mars.
This is a historic test flight building on Artemis I, proving we’re ready for sustainable human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
Watch the launch live here: https://t.co/uT79Ct65Co
#ArtemisII #NASA #MoonMission #Space
I want to thank and acknowledge Amy Riccardi for raising concerns and seeking clarity in her public statement below. Asking questions and ensuring openness is an important part of good governance.
I attended the March 5 School Board meeting on School Resource Officers, and I appreciate the ongoing conversation around transparency and accountability.
At the same time, from my firsthand perspective in the room, the discussion and motion did not appear to come as a surprise. Board members were engaged and prepared to participate as the conversation unfolded.
As we move forward, I believe it’s important that we keep politics out of decisions that impact student safety. These are serious issues that deserve thoughtful, fact-based discussion grounded in the experiences and expectations of the families we serve.
Our community deserves transparency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for our students.
https://t.co/ZngrxyU7tJ
As Chair of the Education Committee for the Governor’s Virginia Latino Advisory Board, I’m always looking for ways to connect students with meaningful opportunities that expand their horizons and deepen their understanding of public service.
The Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program is a valuable pathway for college students and recent graduates to gain firsthand experience in state government, policy, and leadership.
I especially encourage Latino students—and all those interested in making a positive impact in their communities—to explore this opportunity. Diverse perspectives strengthen our institutions and help ensure that leadership reflects the communities it serves.
Programs like this are an investment in the next generation of leaders across our Commonwealth.
Learn more and apply: https://t.co/DJRPIcAnTM
Why I’m thinking about the "Rules of the Game" a cold day like today!
I just cast my ballot early for the statewide special election on the proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution. Whether you’re leaning for or against it, I want to encourage every fellow citizen to make their voice heard before or on Tuesday, April 21.
I’m approaching this from a nonpartisan perspective. To me:
• Constitutions = The rules of the game.
• Laws = The strategies we play within those rules.
My concern isn't necessarily the specific policy goal of this measure, but the precedent of using our foundational governing document for temporary or situational changes. When we treat a Constitution like ordinary legislation, we risk eroding the long-term stability it’s meant to provide.
Good governance requires us to resist the temptation to rewrite the fundamental rules whenever it’s convenient—no matter who is in power. We can support progress while still insisting on consistency and transparency.
If you’re in Loudoun County, you can vote at the County Election Office early located here:
750 Miller Dr SE, Suite 150, Leesburg, VA 20175
Let’s keep our Constitution as an enduring framework. Please get out there and vote!