lori bush
Together, we will move Cary forward
Empathetic Leader:
Enhancing the Lives of All in Cary
Lori is passionate about Cary and the people she serves. She is committed to ensuring our city remains a city for everyone, working tirelessly to secure an environmentally and economically resilient future for Cary. She continues to serve on roles, both at the Cary Town Council, and as a volunteer, that help our local and regional community, to build a better Cary for our citizens.
- 3 term (12 years) At-Large Cary Councilmember
- 2 years as Cary Mayor Pro Tem
- Advocate for Environmental Sustainability, Technology Innovation, and Affordable Housing
- Active Cary & Wake County Volunteer: Former Planning and Zoning Board Member, Cary Citizen’s
The values that drive why I represent you
.png)
Government
Lori has 30+ years of experience in high tech/IT, engineering, marketing and learning; having worked for both Cisco Systems and IBM. She has an insatiable curiosity for finding the intersection of technology and public good – sharing technology best practices, expanding opportunities, and working to leverage technology to improve the lives of all citizens.
- 3 term At-Large Cary Council member, 2 years as Mayor Pro Tem
- Advocate for Environmental Sustainability, Technology Innovation, and Affordable Housing
- Member of Foreign Trade Zone (Research Triangle Regional Partnership)
- Triangle J Council of Governments (Smart Growth and Water Resources)
- Jordan Lake One Water Association
- Former Cary Planning and Zoning Board: Chair, Cary Task Force for Issue Advisory Groups, Cary Site Design Focus Group.
- Graduate of Cary School of Government (aka Cary 101)
- Chair, Wake County Information Technology Advisory Committee
- Wake County Affordable Housing Plan Task Force
- Cary-Chatham Joint Issues Committee
Professional
Lori has 30+ years of experience in high tech/IT, engineering, marketing and learning; having worked for both Cisco Systems and IBM. She has an insatiable curiosity for finding the intersection of technology and public good – sharing technology best practices, expanding opportunities, and working to leverage technology to improve the lives of all citizens.
- 30+ years in high tech/IT at Cisco Systems and IBM, in engineering, marketing and learning
- Developed Emergency Operations programs in Cisco Homeland Security group, Critical Infrastructure Protections
- Worked on programs to create the next generation of Network Engineers
- Active Cisco volunteer at Habitat for Humanity and NC Food Bank
Volunteering
Over the years, Lori has contributed her time and experience to great non-profits that do so much in our community. She has volunteered at a number of organizations such as:
- Current Board Trustee/Secretary, East Coast Greenway Alliance
- Current Board member, Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
- Past president and board, Preston Village Home Owners Association, website and newsletter
- Former board member/trustee:
Greater Carolinas Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society,
NC State, Hunt Library Technology Advisory Board,
National Cyber Security Alliance,
NC Institute of Political Leadership – Leadership Council; Board member,
National Institute of Urban Search & Rescue
Family Life
- Married to Greg Bush, 31 years
- Two grown children, daughter (living in NY City) and son (in Los Angeles)
- Dog mom to Luna, an Irish doodle
- Bike enthusiast, riding all over Cary and hoping to ride the complete East Coast Greenway someday
LORI'S ACCOLADES & AWARDS
Award Winner of the 2009 NIUSR Perpetual Eagle for Excellence in Education
2019 Women of Western Wake County
- Cary Magazine
2021 Remarkable Women
-CBS 17
- 2021 Austin Lewis Award for dedication to building bridges in the Community across racial lines to help create stronger climates of inclusion
Subscribe to receive updates
Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Email List for Campaign Updates & more!
What has our movement previously achieved?
Lori Bush's Town Council Accomplishments
2023
Running for fourth term on Cary Town Council
2023
- In 2023, first Pride Month proclamation read during a Council meeting. Council member Bush active participation in evolving Pride Month offerings every year.
- Requested that the “Healthy Homes” rehabilitation program funds be doubled to $500k for FY2024 budget
- In partnership with the Senior Advisory Board, Cary staff held its first Senior Housing Symposium in May 2023.
2022
Diversity
- Brought forward and Council approved a resolution that permits Wake County’s nondiscrimination ordinance to apply within Cary’s corporate limits.
- In 2022, for the first time Cary participated in the Human Rights Campaign, Municipal Equity Index (MEI) Scorecard process by filing information and received a final score of 50, from a 2 the previous time.
Environment
- At Lori’s suggestion, Cary acquired a 1.8 MW solar facility at South Cary Water Reclamation Facility.
- Cary earned a Gold Level Community Designation from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SolSmart program.
- Cary established a food waste drop off service to align with commitments to reduce waste and divert household waste from landfills.
Housing
- In November 2022, Council adopted plans and approved the rezoning for the Laurel Street project.
- GoCary expanded services into Morrisville and Apex.
- Formation of Cary’s Transportation and Mobility Group
2020 - 2021
- In 2021, Cary purchased an additional two acres of adjacent surplus land from Wake County PublicSchools. The seven- acre parcel has been rezoned for the first Town sponsored mixed-income housing project
- The Cary Housing Plan was adopted by Town Council in November 2021.
- Cary earned a Silver Level Community Designation from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SolSmart program.
- Worked on Cary specific Housing Plan with stakeholders, staff, consultants and residents.
- Brought forward and council approved the creation of a community-based task force to focus on issues relating to human relations, inclusion, and diversity in Cary.
- Implementation of 311 system, spurned from work of Technology Task Force and ISAB
2017-2019
- Identified surplus land for affordable housing in Cary (5 acre site)
- In 2019, Cary took ownership of the Nancy Jones House and relocated it to its new home, just down the street on Chapel Hill Road, in 2021.
- Habitat for Humanity of Wake County partnered with Cary to provide seven new single-family homes on Trimble Avenue.
- First developer provided Affordable Housing Units offered in multi-family rezoning
- Worked to ensure separated bike lanes were part of Fenton development and future developments
- Worked with Bloomberg Philanthropies on BioBot pilot, Opiod Wastewater Project, to identify areas of high Opiod levels, reducing overdoses by 40%. Cary, NC Reduces Opioid Overdoses by 40%
2017-2019
Mayor Pro Tem
2015
Elected for a 2nd term on Cary Town Council
2014-2015
- Brought forward Paid Parental Leave for Cary Employees
- Brought forward the idea for a new Town Website, Social engagement and outreach, and need for new ways to reach out to citizens
- Served on Wake County Affordable Housing Task Force, worked to create plan for Wake County
- Lead the charge to start implementation of Technology Task Force recommendations –first one, creation of Open Data Portal, where anyone can access and use data relating to Cary, NC
2011-2013
- Created Technology Task Force
- Served on Wake County Transit board to identify solutions for Transit to and from, Cary
- Identified Social Media needs, procured YouTube Channel
- Worked with Information Services Advisory Board for Technology and Website needs
- Opening of Willow Creek, Senior Affordable Housing