Candidate for
Commissioner; Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District; Division 3

I was raised in Sacramento and after high school chose Humboldt State University because of its strong reputation in the Marine Sciences. I met my wife Edith at HSU and we were married the summer after our graduation. I attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. I served as a Deck Officer on a buoy tender, Oceanography Officer on a research vessel and as Security Officer for the Coast Gurad Training Center. I then returned to school and attended Scripps Institution of Oceanography. I received my Ph.D. in Marine Biology in 1975. That same year our son Karl was born.

After graduation, we moved to Maryland where I was employed at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. Two years later I accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Biology at The University of Mississippi. In Mississippi, I was the Marine Biology Liaison Professor and provided leadership for the marine biology program . In 1980, a faculty position opened at HSU in the Fisheries Department. I applied and was hired. We returned to Humboldt County that year and settled in Arcata.

I recently retired after 25 years at Humboldt State. During my career at Humboldt I served as a faculty member in the Department of Fisheries Biology. I also was the Production Manager for the HSU Fish Hatchery, Director of the Natural Resources Graduate Program, and Department Chair. I was later appointed the Interim Dean for Research and Graduate Studies. I spent the last few years as the Executive Assistant to the Provost and had responsibility for faculty personnel and space and faciltities.

During my professional career, I have published over 50 scientific papers and authored several books, including "Guide to the Fishes of Humboldt Bay."

I have been active in our local community. This has included being Cubmaster for Pack 44 in Arcata and Scoutmaster for Troop 9 in Arcata. I currently am a member of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Empire Council, Boy Scouts of America. I was the advisor and coach of the Junior Team of the Humboldt Cycling Club for about three years. I also served on the board of the Red Cross of Humboldt County. I am currently a member of Arcata Post 274, American Legion.

I am a member of the following local and professional organizations: Humboldt County Historical Society, Society of California Pioneers, Friends of the Dunes, Friends of the Arcata Marsh, Humboldt Baykeeper, Gilbert Ichthyological Society, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists, American Legion, Arcata Post #274

My family and I are committed to Humboldt County. We returned here by choice and have made it our permanent home. My particular passion is Humboldt Bay. We have a real gem in Humboldt Bay and my goal is to protect and enhance it so that all of us can enjoy and benefit from its bounty. In many ways it is the key to and the symbol of our future.

Some highlights of my tenure as incumbent Third Division Commissioner:

1. First mandatory ballast water exchange program on the West Coast of the United States. This has helped to prevent invasive species from entering Humboldt Bay and is now used as a model by the State of California
2. Completion of Harbor Deepening Project. This project provides a much safer bar and entrance to Humboldt Bay. This is critical to protect our fishing fleet, recreational boaters, and our supply of gasoline. The deepening also provides a channel appropriate for today's commercial shiping fleet.
3. The Marictulture Montoring Committee. I chair this committee developed to provide guidance to the oyster mariculture industry in Humboldt Bay. This industry is very important and a vital part of our Humboldt Bay community.
4. HSU's Boating Instruction and Safety Center. This facility is now under construction and will provide much needed emphasis and support to our recreational kayaking and boating activities on Humboldt Bay. I chaired the committee that developed the business plan for this facility.
5. Humboldt Bay Management Plan. This plan is in a near final draft and is just undergoing the the California Environmental Quality Act review. I co-chaired the task force that developed this plan. It was a grass-roots effort to provide policy guidance to The Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District. This plan will provide the blueprint of the future for Humboldt Bay. We recently receivbed $5,000 from the California Ocean Science Trust to help implement the Humboldt Bay Management Plan as a model for the rest of the State of California.