Candidate for
Director; Ambrose Recreation and Park District

I have lived in California for 14 years, arriving in 1992 from New York City where I had lived for 8 years. I was born in Washington DC living in Northern Virginia until I was 5. I grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida (13 years) and went to college in Gainesville FL (4 years) and then moved to Madison, Wisconsin (8 years).

My first job (outside of working during school) was as a financial economist at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. My college work prepared me well for that job.

In 1984, one of my professors from the University of Florida had moved to New York City to work for Merrill Lynch. He asked me to work for him. After a year, he had left and I was asked to work for Salomon Brothers. I spent 7 interesting years there, applying what I learned in college and learning a lot "on the job."

In 1992, I moved to Kensington CA (north of Berkeley in Contra Costa County) to set up my own firm advising institutional investors (banks, insurance companies, and mutual funds) on their investments. In 1996, I sold the company.

During 1997 and 1998, I did a lot of volunteer work including at my church, various social service agencies, and at a local hospital. Because I kept reading about the need for substitute teachers, I started doing substitute work. Many teachers told me to become a math teacher so I started the teacher education program at California State University, Hayward.

I became actively involved with the efforts in Bay Point to consider incorporation, to get a high school, and to improve the community. It was then that I began producing the weekly cable television program, IN BAY POINT which is now known as EAST COUNTY CHALLENGES. It is now in its seventh year at 9 PM on Mondays on Comcast Cable Channel 26.

I have taught at two public high schools, two private high schools, and a private middle school. I enjoy being a math teacher because students must learn about math to succeed in America today.

My work in producing IN BAY POINT and EAST COUNTY CHALLENGES cable television programs caused me to learn about the key issues facing the Bay Point-western Pittsburg area: Need for a high school, need for economic development, need for more recreation opportunities (such as an improved waterfront), and a need for people to stop thinking of the area as unattractive.

My decision to run in 2002 for the Ambrose Recreation and Park District board was based on both my belief that my financial experience would help but also my concern that I want the 6-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl in my house to have the best recreational and park opportunities possible. They, their mom, and I want the Ambrose facilities maintained and expanded.

Now, I have spent four years on the Ambrose District Board. The most important accomplishment was improving the District's financial condition from being near bankruptcy to having $300,000+ in cash. I have served as Board Chair (16 months), Board Vice Chair (8 months), and Finance Committee Chair (2 years).

Working as a team, the five-member Board has been able to set policies and guide the staff to many improvements. We converted the unused tennis courts in back of the Ambrose Center to heavily-used basketball courts.

Our most recent success was the 60th Anniversity Celebration for the District. Yes, the Ambrose District was founded in 1946! We had more than hundred people walk from the Ambrose Center on Willow Pass Road to the Ambrose Park near the Oak Hills Shopping Center. At the Park, hundreds more enjoyed a day of presentations by the Bay Point All-Star cheerleaders, martial arts, and dancers. Free food and free swimming was provided.

Your vote for me for re-election to the Ambrose Board in the November 7 election will let me continue to help you and the community have better park and recreation opportunities.

Thank you.