Working together works.

Join Mayor Higdon's vision for a brighter future

About the Candidate
With a deep commitment to public service, I've had the honor of serving the residents of the Town of Matthews for six terms - first as commissioner, then two terms as Mayor Pro Tem, and for the past six years as your mayor.

I love this town - its people, its schools, churches, businesses, and parks. Matthews is more than just a place to live; it's a community where families thrive. It is the place where I raised my family. 

As we grow, I remain dedicated to guiding our growth thoughtfully, preserving our unique charm and the small-town spirit that makes Matthews so special.
Education/Experience
A registered Professional Engineer and certified Six-Sigma Blackbelt, I hold a degree in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University, and bring extensive experience in product and process design, engineering/quality assurance management and business ownership — skills that have served me well in my role as Mayor.  Currently, I serve as the Director of Standards Development for IAPMO, a global leader in advancing public health and safety through the development of codes and standards, product testing and certification, workforce training, and industry research.
Community Involvement
Leadership
  • Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO) Voting Member
  • Former Ashley Creek HOA President
  • Mecklenburg County Floodplain Task Force
  • Metropolitan Mayors Coalition Member
  • Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) Voting Member
  • NCSU Caldwell Fellows Leadership Development Program Participant and Volunteer

Volunteerism & Membership
  • BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Volunteer
  • Boy Scouts of America Volunteer
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg School System Proctor and Speaker
  • Frequent speaker at Matthews Chamber, Help Center, Kiwanis, Rotary and other community organizations
  • Matthews Appearance and Tree Board
  • Matthews Athletic Recreation Association Bat and Ball Committee Board Member and Coach
  • Matthews Community Gardener / Beekeeper
  • Matthews Economic Development Advisory Committee
  • Matthews United Methodist Church Member
  • Roof Above - Charlotte's Men Shelter Meal Preparer
Accomplishments
Under my leadership, Matthews has gained:
Parks:
  • An additional 54 acres of parks - our most effective method to guarantee greenspace and tree preservation for generations to come
  • Matthews Veterans' Park: By serving as a strong advocate on the board to implement current design and plan for future improvements. 
Economic Development: 
  • Acceleration Advanced Manufacturing Campus by Hendrick: A 200-acre project that will bring clean manufacturing, innovative technology, and high-paying jobs to Matthews, which, in turn, facilitates the creation of a local police/ fire/EMS training facility.
New Facilities: 
  • Fire Station #3: Ensured funding allocation, allowing quicker emergency response times for our residents in the northern part of town and improvement of the town’s ISO score
  • Discovery Place Kids: An innovative partnership between Matthews, Discovery Place, and CMS  to build a science museum using tourism-related funds rather than property taxes to bring another family-friendly recreational option to downtown
  • Matthews Elementary Rebuild: Led advocacy efforts to approve CMS bonds, enabling a downtown rebuild of Matthews Elementary
Community-Building:
  • Brought the Hometown Hero banner program to Matthews to honor our veterans
  • Partnered Boy Scout Troop 46 with Matthews veterans to create a relationship-building opportunity to maintain Matthews Veterans Park 
  • Governed with our elected Board and staff in a fiscally responsible manner that resulted in Matthews first ever triple-A bond rating

Comments/Questions?  

  • Matthews, NC United States

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Vote November 4th!
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