The mayor’s race in Greensboro is heating up, and it’s clear this election season will bring significant changes to our city’s leadership. With Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter and former Mayor Robbie Perkins officially in the running, voters must decide which direction Greensboro should go next.

Both mayoral candidates have long histories in public service and have made their case for why they’re ready to lead. Abuzuaiter says she’ll be an “anchor” for a new council, and Perkins says he’ll have “no learning curve” because he’s done the job before.

But let’s be honest — this is not a moment that calls for more of the same. This moment calls for bold new thinking and fresh leadership — the kind that doesn’t come from recycled politics but from real-world experience.

That’s exactly what I bring to the Greensboro City Council.

For over 45 years, I’ve built successful businesses in our city. I’ve hired young talent, brought cutting-edge technology downtown, and invested in Greensboro when others looked the other way. That’s the kind of entrepreneurial, problem-solving mindset we need on the council now more than ever.

As Robbie Perkins said, Greensboro is at an “inflection point.” I agree. We have enormous potential, but only if we act with focus and urgency.

Perkins also said, “I have a sense of urgency. I don’t like to let things sit on the table and take a while to get settled. I think we can operate it more like a business because it is, in fact, a big business.” I couldn’t agree more. That’s exactly how I’ve approached every challenge in my career — and that’s exactly how I’ll approach city government work.

Greensboro should be run with the same discipline, drive, and accountability as a successful business. We need fewer delays and more decisions. We need to stop letting great ideas get buried in bureaucracy. And we need people on the council who know how to cut through red tape and get things done.

This election also brings a rare opportunity for meaningful change. District 2 Councilwoman Goldie Wells and District 4 Councilwoman Nancy Hoffmann are not running for re-election, and Abuzuaiter’s mayoral bid will open up one of the three at-large seats on the council. That means Greensboro voters have a real chance to bring in new leadership — people who haven’t made a career out of politics but have built things, led teams, and driven progress in the real world. For too long, our city has been led by career politicians. It’s time for something different.

My presence on the council will push the next mayor to think outside the box and step beyond business-as-usual politics. Because the truth is, if we want Greensboro to be safer, more prosperous, and a place everyone is proud to call home, we need leaders who aren’t afraid to shake things up.

We need leadership that prioritizes public safety, supports innovative housing development, and streamlines city processes for businesses and families alike. We also need people who understand how to build, not just talk about it.

I respect anyone willing to serve, and I appreciate the years Abuzuaiter and Perkins have given to this city. But I’m not running to carry on tradition—I’m running to change the game. I want to bring a fresh voice to the City Council that will challenge the old ways of thinking and help shape a Greensboro that truly works for everyone.

This is our moment. Let’s not settle for the same conversations. Let’s build something better — together.