Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Marina

I began developing my financial management background at Towson University in Maryland, graduating with highest honors with a degree in Economics and a minor in Math. I spent my 34 year career with the federal government working in financial management for the Department of Defense from which I recently retired. I worked for the Army as a Budget Analyst, Program Analyst, and Management Analyst. I finished my career here on the peninsula at the Defense Manpower Data Center on the Former Fort Ord. I was first hired as a Management Analyst and then converted to an Information Technology Specialist where I primarily supervised the management and interpretation of the pay data for all of the military services, the Coast Guard, and Public Health for active duty and reserve members. This data was primarily used by the Office of the Secretary of Defense in their cost analysis for decision making that affected military members pay and entitlements.

Of the many awards received during my career these two are most notable: Department of the Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service in January 1991 and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for Defense Manpower Data Center in July 1999.

I have been volunteering in Marina most heavily for the past 11 years. I am currently volunteering as the Chair of the Recreation and Cultural Services Commission and I am an active member of the Marina Rotary Club. I have served 6 years are the Chair of the Commission. During this time we were successful in bringing two major new facilities to the city: a new skate park and a new teen center. These facilities are integrated with the Los Arboles Middle School and Sports Field to form a complex where universal rules for behavior are applied to the betterment of our kids and our community. We engage between 200-400 teens every day at the Teen Center.

I have received many awards for my volunteer service to Marina: 1) Woman of the Year 2011 Award from the Marina Foundation for outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Marina in March 2012; 2) Commissioner of the Year for 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010 for the California Parks & Recreation Society, District VI; 3) the City of Marina Outstanding Volunteer Recognition - Outstanding Commission Member 2008, 2009; and 4) grants for 100 Best Communities for Young People, Friday Night Live, the ADA van for Seniors, the after school snack program, the sculpture garden, and the skate park.

On a personal note I married my high school sweetheart, Garth, 38 years ago and we have lived in Marina for 21 years. We raised our son, Michael, near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and here in Marina. Michael enlisted in the Air Force 18 years ago and is an airplane mechanic. He deployed in support of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is now stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.