Candidate for
Supervisor; County of Mendocino; District 1

I live in the southwestern hills of Potter Valley with my wife Kayla, our daughter Lilya Rose, and our dogs and miniature burros.

For over a decade I've been in the thick of things trying to bring needed changes to Mendocino County. Currently I serve as an officer on the boards of two not-for-profit organizations. I am Treasurer of the Ukiah Community Center, which provides a "safety net" with food bank and shelter services in the greater Ukiah area, and helps people in need become self-sufficient. I am Secretary of RCHDC, which develops and manages affordable housing in northern California.

I've made my career representing the interests of others with differing agendas, and bringing people together to achieve common goals. For nine years I organized the membership of SEIU Local 707, an organization representing a diverse group of working people including clerical workers, nurses, lawyers, engineers, janitors, social workers, equipment operators, grounds keepers, probation officers, and others. I negotiated and enforced employment contracts for Mendocino College and Mendocino County employees. In that capacity, I was involved day and night in solving the problems of County government. After leaving SEIU in 2001, I became the Executive Director of the County's Community Development Commission. Currently I am the General Manager of MenDRS, a not-for-profit organization that provides mediation services and conflict resolution training around the County.

I've been reading the Board of Supervisors agenda packets and attending Board meetings regularly for over a decade. I know all the players and the strengths and weaknesses of the County system. I'm up to speed on the budget and the operations of all departments and commissions. I am fully prepared to "hit the ground running."