Candidate for
Council Member; City of Fountain Valley

I was born in Minnesota and my family moved to Fountain Valley in 1967. Since then I have lived in the city for about 40 years, with a couple of breaks in the 80's. My wife Imelda and I married in early 1991 and have lived in our current home ever since. We have three dogs to keep us company, Rosie (1.5), Lulu (10) and Ernie (5).

When we first arrived in Fountain Valley, I went to McDowell, Harper, Fountain Valley Elementary, Gisler and finally graduated 8th grade from Moiola (go Mustangs). Lots of different grade schools but we never moved. Things were growing so fast back then that they kept building new schools along with all the new houses and businesses.

After Moiola, I went on to FVHS (go Barons) where I was a swimmer and water polo player under coach Bray. In 1977, along with quite a few of my teammates, I earned my first All-America award. After high school, I attended Golden West College where I swam and earned two more All-America awards. Alas all that swimming took its toll and at the state finals my 2nd year, I dislocated my shoulder for the umpteenth time and the swimming was over. I continued to be involved in swimming, coaching at the age group level, and then for three very successful years, coaching at La Quinta H.S. I call it successful, for although we didn't win all the time, my swimmers always did their best times at the end of each season.

After coaching, I spent the next 26 years working in the manufacturing and quality assurance fields. I spent the majority of the time, 17+ years, working for a manufacturer of industrial uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) in the quality assurance department. As inspector and later as supervisor, it was my responsibility to put quality assurance processes in place that ensured our products were manufactured to the highest possible standards. I was part of the team that was instrumental in getting our company ISO 9000 certified. I continued to work on routine audits of the QA system for compliance to the ISO and other national and international standards. I also worked closely with my colleagues in our division in France which gave me experience dealing with other rules and regulations, much like having to deal with the state.

I am currently disabled due to a medical condition that affects my mobility. My disability affects my walking, not my thinking, which leads me to my strongest qualities: my common sense, intelligence, honesty and no nonsense attitude. I like to strip away all the nonsense, get to the point and solve the problem. I believe that we need more of that thinking in all aspects of government. Being home allows me to have the time and energy to dedicate myself to the City.