There's just more than one month to go until anyone interested in running for mayor of Richmond must put their money where their mouth is. June 10 is the filing deadline for when mayoral candidates have to submit 500 signatures of support with at least 50 from each city district.

So far, five people have announced their intentions to run. Incumbent Mayor L. Douglas Wilder and City Council President Bill Pantele have not said whether they will seek the spot.

To keep you informed, Richmond.com will give you the skinny on each candidate every Thursday until June 10.

Today, meet Lawrence Williams.

Lawrence E. Williams

Age: 55
Family: I have a son, 23, who recently graduated from VCU with a business administration degree and attended Richmond Public Schools. I have a daughter in Richmond Public Schools who is 17, a cheerleader and became a member of the national honor society last week.

Occupation: Architect
Background: Williams was born and raised in Church Hill, attended Richmond Public Schools and has an undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Virginia. He also has a master's degree in architecture from Harvard University. He's also a member of Mount Tabor Baptist Church. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor four years ago and has made three failed bids to represent City Council's 6th District. In addition to working with other architects on the Downtown Master Plan, Williams has worked with several community development corporations across the city, including the Hull Street, Church Hill and Barton Heights areas of the city. Because of his experience and views on how to make things work, some people have dubbed him "Obama light."

What would people be surprised to know about you?

They'd be surprised to know that my heart and soul has always been built to care about Richmond. I'm hardwired to care about Richmond. I've had the opportunity to work with (State Senator) Henry Marsh, (Former City Manager) Robert Bobb, (State Delegate) Dwight Jones, (Former Richmond Mayor) Walter Kinney and (Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce President) Jim Dunn. I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of the good, very effective leaders of Richmond. I've always worked myself to be a composite of all that leadership. And I care, that's why I run.

What's your favorite Richmond restaurant?

Steve's Restaurant because it represents downtown urban.

Any pets?

I have a Labrador retriever. His name is Time. I'm fascinated by timelines and the importance of making the right choices and the impact it has on everything.

Why should people vote for you?

What I represent is more of a management style for a mayor. Most mayors in the past 30 or 40 years have been somewhat politically-oriented in terms of how to get elected, but I want to take Richmond politics and move it forward so we can begin to look at task force politics as opposed to banquet or social politics.

Oftentimes, people look at electability. I think mine represents electability plus, the plus dealing with very technical issues and management issues, like the baseball Diamond. That should have been negotiated on a conference table over a year and half ago. I had contact with architects on that, and many thought the scale was inappropriate for Shockoe Bottom and others felt the Boulevard was not the greatest priority for the city.

Many of those things could be worked through a fiscal planning approach. Most preachers and lawyers are not accustomed to dealing with the construction elements and complex issues. That's what architects and community planners are trained to do. [Director of Community Development] Rachel Flynn has done an excellent job with the downtown master plan. It illustrates what that kind of professionalism can do for the city. I want to continue that.