Candidate for
Member; Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council

Dear Citizens of Oak Park and Ventura County,

I came to the United States nearly 30 years ago, to pursue higher academics. After securing a Bachelor's degree in Biology from India, I obtained a Master's Degree in Environmental Sciences in Texas and pursued post graduate research in Canada.

My academic training includes ecosystem studies and effects of pollutants on aquatic systems. My professional experience includes over 20 years as a consultant in the environmental field, both in public and private sectors.

My subject matter expertise and experience includes: water quality, water resources, watershed management, natural resource management, threatened and Endangered Species biology and management, wetlands ecology and protection, knowledge of federal, state and local regulations: Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), to name a few. I have also extensive experience with conducting environmental impact assessments, land use planning, environmental constraints analysis, infrastructure siting analysis and a variety of other subjects under the broad realm of environmental issues. Many of these issues are germane to municipalities and governments organizations at all levels.

Before relocating to Oak Park several years ago, I was a resident of the City of Calabasas, where I served as a member of the City of Calabasas' Environmental Standards Committee for a number of years. In this capacity, I provided guidance and interacted with the community on a diverse range of environmental issues that has a bearing on urban life. My stewardship of the commmunity included watershed cleanup activities and environmental outreach programs.

During my residency in Calabasas, I was also indirectly associated with the proposed Ahmanson Ranch (now the East Las Virgenes Preserve), where I helped identify the presence of the federally protected California red-legged frog. A few years ago, I also provided a presentation to the City, on the health of the populations of these protected amphibian species and highlighted potential opportunities to enhance their habitat and populations.

In 2011, I had the privilege of assisting Oak Park High School students in the "Quick Science" contest, where our wonderful students secured FIRST PLACE! Seeing the proud smiles of the students has sparked a deep interest and desire to further such opportunities to enhace education programs in the local community. I believe that there are opportunties for creative partnerships between public and private entities, such that the reliance on public funds alone, is diminished.

I am a big proponent of business networking. My past credentials as a freelance environmental consultant has taught me valuable insights into sustainable business practices and promotion strategies. I believe that exhange of information and interaction among business entities and the community, is vital to sustaining local business. Active interaction with the public allows for businesses to launch adaptive business strategies and allows some 'buffering' with changing economy.

Recently, I created a local environmental networking group called `OPEN' (Oak Park Ecopreneurist Network), as a networking platform for aspiring entrepreneurs in the environmental field. Via the MAC platform, I would like to share such business promotion strategies with the community. As an example, perhaps sponsor 'open house' events for local businesses, where the local community have an opportunity to 'meet and greet' business owners.

In summary, if elected, I bring to the MAC table an in-depth understanding of urban environmental issues, a deep sense of desire and purpose for enhancing educational programs, an unique sense of approach to business promotion and, above all, a high dose of energy and enthusiasm.