Candidate for
Director; Petaluma Health Care District

I attended Mills College for two years, 1958-60, and left college to get married and start a family. From 1971 - 1976, I was employed as an executive staff member and program director for Konocti Girl Scout Council in Santa Rosa. During that time I resumed my education at Sonoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in History, in 1977.

Upon graduation I worked for a short time as a Systems Engineer in Development(SED) at Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Discovering my interests were more analysis than programming, I left EDS and began a 22-year career at Fireman's Fund Insurance Company(FFIC). I have extensive insurance-related education, obtained during my career with FFIC. Insurance Institute of America certifications include Certificate in General Insurance, Associate in Automation Management, Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance and Certificate in ReInsurance. As a manager I was consistently praised as a problem-solver and a leader with great interpersonal skills.

I live with my partner of 28 years, Bonnie, in a house we had built in Penngrove and have two grown daughters and three grandchildren, ages 10, 7 and 4, residing in Sonoma County. I chose to retire at age 59 to spend more time with my grandchildren and to increase my involvement in community affairs.

My recent volunteer activities include 4 summers as a camp counselor at Camp Sunburst, a week-long camp for children and families living with HIV/AIDS; tutoring for the Sonoma County Library Adult Literacy program; fund-raising activities, including the Human Race, for Sunburst Projects; and membership in PFLAG/North Bay Chapter. I have also been active in the alcohol recovery community for the past 17 years.