John Aneralla, Mayor of Huntersville, NC, Will Be a Congressional Candidate in District 13

Huntersville’s mayor has a reputation as a sardonic critic of his own government, but he also takes a practical approach to public policy. He’s alert to business needs and able to get along with a wide range of citizens.

WCNC Charlotte recently analyzed how the American Rescue Plan – a federal disaster relief program – awards money and found that Huntersville received fewer ARP dollars than 15 other cities and towns in the Carolinas with smaller populations. Despite that, Mayor John Aneralla fought hard to ensure Huntersville got its fair share of state money.

Early Life and Education

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is one of the most important investments a nation can make to promote holistic development, gender equality, and social cohesion. Research shows that early education has the potential to be a lifelong benefit for children and their families.

ECEC has a long history in the United States, with programs that range from day nurseries for children of working mothers to nursery schools for children from birth to age five. These early education and care services provide children with the opportunity to develop their cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills, preparing them for school.

There are many theories of early childhood education that influence how educators approach teaching. Educators use these theories to create a learning environment that is both fun and educational for young children. These theories include Friedrich Froebel’s belief that children should be able to learn through play and Jean Rousseau’s belief that teaching methods should be sensory-driven and practical.

Professional Career

A North Mecklenburg native, John has spent the last 25 years in the business arena. In 1997 he founded Buttonwood Advisory Group, Inc. and in 2004 he established Bulldog Asset Management, Inc. He is a certified financial planner with more than 20 years of experience. In addition to being a civic minded citizen, he has earned the respect of his peers in the business world by donating his time and talent to many worthy causes. He is a past president of the Lake Norman Kiwanis Club, a member of the Carolinas Region of Kiwanis International and has served as a 9th District Chairman for the Republican Party.

One of John’s more significant achievements has been a successful economic development strategy aimed at keeping local businesses based in Huntersville and creating new ones to boot. The most gratifying of these achievements was securing the big daddy of all incentives – the $5 million dollar tax abatements for Ensemble Health Partners, which landed in the town of Huntersville and brought with it hundreds of jobs. The company is currently on track to be a success in its first full year of operation, with plans to expand in the future.

Personal Life

As a lifelong competitive swimmer, John has been active in coaching at all levels of competition. He has served as a coach for Davidson College, MAC Masters, the Community School of Davidson Middle School Swim Team and the Birkdale Neighborhood Swim Team.

A proven community leader and volunteer, John has a record of service to Huntersville and Lake Norman. He has served as Lieutenant Governor in the Carolinas Region of Kiwanis International and is a past President of the Lake Norman Kiwanis Club.

During his career, John Aneralla has put his 35 years of experience in the financial industry to work for the people of North Carolina. He has served five years as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Local Government Employees’ Retirement System and Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, the 10th largest public pension fund in the country. He also sits on the Investment Advisory Committee for the North Carolina pension system.

Net Worth

John Aneralla is a successful businessman who has made his mark on the town of Huntersville and has a proven record of community leadership. A veteran of the local government, he served as Mayor from 2012 to 2016. Before his service in elected office, he started and managed several companies that focused on asset management and investment consulting. He also served as a director of several public and private companies and was an active member of the local and state pension systems. His net worth is estimated to be over $1.5 million. Aneralla has recently announced that he will run for Congressional District 13 in North Carolina. He joins Pete this week to discuss his decision and what inspired him to leave behind his mayorship.