CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR

Bill Saffo has been elected Mayor of Wilmington nine times since first joining City Council in 2003. A lifelong Wilmington resident, he is the son and grandson of Greek immigrants who settled here after World War II in pursuit of the American dream. Bill graduated from John T. Hoggard High School and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He later joined his family’s business, helping build neighborhoods across the community.

Bill is a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and serves as chair of the Metro Mayors Association of North Carolina. He also sits on the Wilmington Film Commission, Wilmington Business Development, and the New Hanover County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Over the past two decades, he has helped lead the revitalization of downtown Wilmington and Greenfield Lake Amphitheater, overseen the completion of the Riverwalk, supported the creation of the Live Oak Bank Pavilion, and championed more than 20 miles of new trails. His priorities continue to be growing good-paying jobs, supporting local businesses, and ensuring Wilmington remains a vibrant and welcoming community for all.

CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL

Chakema Clinton-Quintana earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. She has received multiple awards recognizing her advocacy for economic development, community leadership, and entrepreneurship, especially within minority communities. She currently directs Channel, part of Live Oak Bank, which serves as a vital resource for small business owners through mentorship, education, and strategic partnerships. Her priorities include strengthening public safety, supporting local businesses, expanding affordable housing, improving transportation options, and preserving Wilmington’s natural beauty. Chakema is a devoted mother of four and grandmother of four.

CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL

JC Lyle earned her Bachelor’s degree at Mary Washington College in Virginia before moving to Wilmington in 1996. She later completed her MBA at UNC-Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business. For 15 years, she served as CEO of WarmNC, a nonprofit home repair ministry that expanded under her leadership from serving 44 families to more than 400. Today, she continues her commitment to housing equity through her work with a nonprofit that finances and builds homes for families in need. Her priorities include strengthening Wilmington’s economy, improving hurricane preparedness, lowering Medicaid costs per recipient, and ensuring safer, healthier homes for residents.

CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL

Cassidy Santaguida, originally from Texas, earned a degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin. She began her career as a teacher before working in technology at her alma mater. In 2016, she moved to Wilmington with her young daughter to join nCino, a growing technology company, and to build a life in a more affordable community. Cassidy is running for City Council to help make Wilmington a great place to live today and for future generations. Her priorities include expanding well-paying jobs, creating affordable housing and transportation options, and preserving the city’s natural beauty. She is also a proud stepmother of two.