Editor's note: This is the second of three profiles of Raleigh's mayoral candidates. A profile of Nancy McFarlane ran on Sept. 19. Look for a profile of Randall Williams on Oct. 3.
When Billie Redmond was 9 years old, her grandfather died suddenly. So she went to stay with her grandmother, who had never lived alone.
While Redmond's three sisters grew up with her parents in Eden, a town about 100 miles northwest of Raleigh, the future mayoral candidate settled in as her grandmother's only child.
Redmond wanted to help her through the transition. At first, she planned to stay for a month. But she never left. She opted instead to care for her grandmother - and have free reign over the television.
"My sisters lived not far away," said Redmond, 59. "I saw them at school. My parents came over for dinner. It was a very nontraditional life."
Redmond's life trajectory has been nontraditional since she left Eden for the Triangle to attend UNC-Chapel Hill.
After 2 1/2 years of college, she left school to start a career and a family. She never went back, but it wasn't for lack of ambition. Over the past 30 years, the not-quite-5-foot-tall Redmond has risen to the top of the Triangle's male-dominated commercial real estate industry.
In addition to being chief executive of Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties, she has held community leadership positions, including chairwoman of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and WakeMed Health and Hospitals.
All the while, she's found time to relax. She has had a porch swing outside - and inside - the houses where she has lived. "I begin and end every day in a swing," she said.
Redmond's biography reads like a person preparing for politics. But until now, she has never run.
With Mayor Charles Meeker stepping aside after a decade in office, Redmond thought the city needed a leader with a fresh agenda that would take into account the economic challenges facing Raleigh and the country.
Her opponents in the race are Nancy McFarlane, a pharmacist who has been on the City Council since 2007, and physician Randall Williams.
Focusing on jobs
Redmond's vision, outlined in a two-page plan, focuses heavily on finding ways to better market the city to prospective employers, and growing the tax base by streamlining bureaucracy.
"The key is for the city to become the most business-friendly city in the United States," Redmond said. "It's not about throwing out the rules and regulations. It's about being available and open to help our citizens to move through our processes so they can get about the businesses they are in."
Redmond wants to establish a center to help recruit companies, and she wants the city to craft a formal incentives policy for businesses seeking taxpayer money for creating jobs.
Raleigh has rarely offered incentives to companies in the past, and each case has been reviewed individually on its own merits.
The city's debt also has become a hot topic in this year's election. Redmond and Williams have each raised concerns about Raleigh's debt, which stands at $1.38 billion - four times the amount it had a decade ago.
The borrowed money paid for road improvements, water and sewer plants, parks and greenways, and a new downtown convention center.
The city can borrow more, but Redmond wants to hold off until the city conducts a thorough review of its long-term spending plans. "That we have a triple-A bond rating is a great thing," she said. "It doesn't ensure that we will keep it."
'Consensus builder'
Redmond has lived in Raleigh for more than 30 years. Her husband, Kemp Harris, is a general contractor and home builder. They have three children, two of whom work for Redmond's firm.
Redmond was introduced to real estate after she went to work part time for Triangle Mental Health. She ended up managing several of the organization's real estate projects, which led her to become CEO of Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties when it formed in 1986.
The company started as the commercial arm of Howard Perry & Walston, a residential brokerage. Today, it does property management, leasing and brokerage services for a range of clients.
"We have always been, and continue to be, a third-party company," she said. "We are not developers."
Redmond says her community service and her experience running her real estate firm, which employs almost 100 people, distinguishes her from the other candidates.
"I have the most governance experience of any candidate because of the leadership roles I've held in so many organizations across our community," she said.
Redmond stepped down from WakeMed's board this summer after serving for 10 years, including two as chairwoman. During her time in that role, she distinguished herself through her preparation and her willingness to seek feedback from a range of people, said Bill Atkinson, WakeMed's chief executive.
"She takes on tough issues and she's always polite in the way she does that," he said. "But at the same time she's firm. She's sort of a no-nonsense leader."
Jim Anthony, a Raleigh commercial real estate investor who has known Redmond for nearly 20 years, said he told her long before she announced her candidacy that she should consider running.
"She's extremely extroverted, an outstanding networker and I think truly committed to being a contributor to the community," Anthony said. "She is a consensus builder."
Real estate donors
About one-third of the $105,000 Redmond has raised for her campaign has come from real estate interests, according to campaign finance reports.
McFarlane has questioned whether such support would make her inclined to favor developers in projects that come before the City Council.
Redmond points out that her donor base includes people in a variety of professions, and she believes voters today are more focused on the economy and creating jobs than development issues that dominated Raleigh elections over the past decade.
"It's kind of a tired and predictable question for people to ask," Redmond said of the criticism. "Obviously development is not to blame for where we are. Development could help us move forward in some really good ways."
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Age: 59 (Born July 9, 1952).
Occupation: Business owner, Coldwell Banker Commercial TradeMark Properties.
Education: UNC-Chapel Hill, degree incomplete.
Political affiliation: Registered Republican. Endorsed by the Wake County Republican Party.
Civic activities and other affiliations: Past chairwoman, board of directors, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; board of directors and executive committee, North Carolina Chamber; board of directors, Hurricanes Kids 'N Community Foundation; past chairwoman, board of directors, WakeMed Health and Hospitals; board of directors, Paragon Commercial Bank; co-chairwoman of the Wake County Citizens' Facilities Advisory Committee; member, Pleasant Grove Church.
Contact: 919-787-3313 ; 5171 Glenwood Ave., Suite 311, Raleigh, NC 27612, Redmond4Raleigh.com.
Why should you be elected? We need new leadership and a new voice, one that will focus on creating jobs and strengthening our economy right here at home. My campaign is about the future of Raleigh, it's about moving Raleigh forward - and making sure we focus on the issues that are really important. I believe that Raleigh can't stay vibrant by just doing the same things - especially in a competitive and changing economy. That's why I am the only candidate for mayor who has developed a 14-point plan that includes new ideas and solutions - linking job creation, fiscal stewardship, education and a valued quality of life to stimulate growth.
Your first act in office: My first act in office will include three primary components: 1) Working with the private sector to create the "Raleigh Innovation and Entrepreneurial Center" to focus on job creation; 2) the creation of the "Government Efficiency Committee of City Council"; and 3) the creation of the "Mayor's Task Force on Education."
Future of Dix Property
At issue: The city and state have talked for years about what will become of Dorothea Dix Hospital's 306-acre campus near downtown. Some favor buying the land from the state and turning it into a park. Others have proposed that some land be set aside for private development.
Where she stands: Redmond is in favor of facilitating the purchase of Dorothea Dix from the state by the private sector and maintaining the campus as a park. She believes it is important to establish a long-term plan for future development around the park.
Public Safety Center
At issue: The proposed 17-story Lightner Public Safety Center would offer space for fire, police, emergency communications and information technology departments. It would be built on land bordering Nash Square that is currently the site of the old police headquarters. The City Council is divided over whether to move ahead with the project, which could cost $205 million or more.
Where she stands: Redmond favors moving ahead with a scaled back project that would include a new 911 Center and a new Emergency Operations Service Center. "Our public safety people work on card tables in a conference room when (severe weather) events happen in our community," she said.
Expanded transit options
At issue: Raleigh grew by 50 percent over the past 10 years and is expected add an additional 100,000 people by 2020. Roads cannot handle the influx, traffic planners say.
Where she stands: Redmond has not taken a position on a proposed $40 million transportation bond that includes sidewalks, bike lanes, greenways, road resurfacing projects and new bus shelters. She said she has concerns about the city's debt and needs more information. Redmond supports transit-oriented development but says the city should wait for the economy to improve before pursuing a light-rail system.
