Who is Rob Hillman, Democratic Charlotte City Council District 6 candidate?
Rob Hillman
Political party: Democratic Party
Age as of Nov. 8, 2022: 59
Campaign website: www.voteforhillman.com
Email: electrobhillman@gmail.com
Occupation: Financial Services
Education: MBA NYU Stern School of Business; SB MIT Electrical Engineering; Chartered Financial Analyst Designation
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Yes. County Commissioner At-Large 2012
Please list your highlights of civic involvement.
Commissioner, Centralina Economic Development CommissionSteering Committee Member, MIT Legislative Advocacy NetworkDirector, Board of Community Culinary School of Charlotte Chair, Political and Social Action, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.Coach, FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Program (FTC), 100 Black Men of Greater CharlotteMember, FTC State Planning CommitteeMakerspace Instructor, Behailu AcademyTreasurer, Charlotte Literary Book FestivalField Organizer, Obama for America 2008
Should the City Council limit the number of new parking garages in and near uptown to encourage the use of public transportation?
I think we should allocate parking capacity to transportation hubs on a graduated basis to incent people to use the train and bus to get into the core of the city. Further, we need to improve the accessibility, reliability and frequency of our buses/light rail to make commuting less of a “schlep.” Lastly, we need to provide incentives for area corporations to provide change facilities for runners, walkers and bikers. This will be good for the environment and create a healthier workforce.
Describe your views on using public money to help build or improve private sports facilities or stadiums.
I believe that public private partnerships are the best way to leverage tax payer dollars to obtain and achieve the goods, services and amenities the residents of the city desire. We must be disciplined about converting any incremental tax receipts obtained directly or indirectly from these amenities to expenditures for public goods like schools, housing and healthcare.
Is there an area where you disagree with your party? Why?
I think the party’s emphasis on a $15 minimum wage as a livable wage focuses people on an objective that is too low and insufficient for building a stable economically viable household. I think we need to push people toward life long learning so that they are able to compete for higher wages. The $15 minimum wage should be a beginning, not an end.
What separates you from your primary opponents?
The unique combination of my leadership experiences and my financial and engineering expertise separates me from my primary opponents. These attributes will allow me to step into the job, build consensus and address problems on day one.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am excited to be a member of MIT’s Legislative Advocacy Network Steering Committee where we promoted the National Science Foundation for the Future and United States Innovation and Competitiveness Acts, going to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress. These two bills, if passed, will fundamentally move the needle for this nation’s competitiveness in STEM as well as provide equity and access to STEM for marginalized low income communities.