For twenty-three years, I had the profound honor of wearing the uniform of the United States Air Force. Serving as a Chief Master Sergeant and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician across two combat deployments to Iraq and two to Afghanistan, I learned that true leadership requires running toward the problems that others avoid. Operating in those high-stakes environments, where I earned two Bronze Stars, instilled in me a steadfast commitment to mission success. Today, that mission is right here at home in Panama City Beach.
When I retired from active duty, my family chose to plant our roots in our beautiful city. My wife, Laura, teaches at West Bay Elementary, and our three daughters are growing up in this vibrant community. I am running for the Panama City Beach City Council because I believe our city deserves proven, competent leadership to navigate the growth and opportunities ahead.
My qualifications are rooted in strategic planning and operational management. During my time in the military, I earned my Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Transitioning my military leadership into municipal service, I currently work as the Utilities Operations Manager for the City of Panama City. These experiences form my three core campaign pillars:
- SAFETY FIRST Your safety is my priority, and it starts with proven, data-driven leadership. I will apply twenty-three years of high-stakes risk management experience as an Air Force Bomb Technician to enhance public safety and keep our city safe year-round. We must prioritize proactive preparedness, bringing military-grade planning to our emergency response and critical infrastructure to build true hurricane resilience. This requires ensuring our first responders, the true backbone of our community, are fully equipped with the resources, training, and support they need to respond effectively and protect our neighborhoods. I will advocate to speed up the construction of the police substation on the east end and the public works hurricane safe room.
- COMPETENCY IN GOVERNMENT Our city deserves management, not administration. I will leverage my direct, hands-on experience managing complex municipal utility systems to improve our aging infrastructure, drastically reducing water loss, and finding lasting solutions to our ongoing stormwater challenges. Utilizing my PMP and MPA, I will enforce fiscal accountability to eliminate waste, maximize your tax dollars, and ensure our funds remain solvent into the future. My commitment is transparent execution with no empty promises, delivering only data-driven, sensible management that ensures basic city services are provided reliably and efficiently.
- COMMUNITY ALWAYS As a husband to a local teacher and a father of three here, my priority is protecting the unparalleled quality of life we enjoy in Panama City Beach. Dedicated to our residents and our local veterans, I will ensure City Hall listens to the people who actually live here. We must protect our home, balancing smart growth with the preservation of the unique community character that makes our city great, always putting residents first. This includes moving the Lullwater Lake restoration project along to restore it to its former beauty and protect it from overdevelopment.
Service is not just a chapter in my past; it is a lifelong calling. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Panama City Beach.
Paid Political Advertising for Carlos Sanchez, Candidate for Panama City Beach City Council Ward 1
The appearance of Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.
RSS
