I grew up in the Germantown section of the City - Hollow, named after the Happy Hollow Playground. I lived with my mom and my younger brother with the rest of my family not too far away. I attended High Street Church of God, and later New Covenant Church.

Growing up, I bounced from school to school (Greenfield Elementary, High Street Christian Academy, Cedar Grove Christian Academy, Picket Middle School and Samson Freeman), before leaving to attend Milton Hershey School - a boarding school for economically disadvantaged children.

I earned a degree in Journalism / Mass Communication from Lock Haven University, a Masters in Communication from LaSalle University and an Executive MBA from St. Joseph’s University.

My areas of professional expertise are in business, politics, and communication. I have worked for both for-profit and non-profit organizations and for both local and state government. Each experience has brought me face-to-face with the issues that challenge our City.

I am a father of a soon-to-be 12-year old son, Douglas I. Oliver, II, who keeps me grounded and focused on the things that matter. I am a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.

As a rule, I don’t kick the can down the road or avoid difficult conversations. I deal with challenges directly and fairly and I include as many people as possible in my decision making process.

Everything I do in my professional and personal life is with an eye towards the future. And I know that with the right people, the right incentive and enough time, almost every problem can be solved.