Candidate for
Board Member; Panama-Buena Vista Union School District

Growing up my parents constantly preached the importance of getting a high quality education. I remember growing up that my mother and especially my father, who suffered from a learning disability as a child, would preach and preach that being able to read and communicate well is a key to success in life.

As a young student, I struggled earning mostly B's and C's, but through perseverance and determination, with the full support of my family, I was able to not only graduate from high school but graduate from California State University, Fresno where I earned a B.S. in Accounting. In addition to my parents, others who encouraged me to get a good education included my barber, neighbors, and pastor. Not surprisingly, those that had the greatest and most positive influence on me were my Elementary, Jr. High and High School teachers: Mrs. Beale, Mr. Selleck, Mrs. Haselden, Mr. Koch, Mr. Eppler, Mr. Beasley, and Ms. Williams. These high quality educators challenged, pushed, and when necessary scolded me to ensure that I was successful not only in their classrooms but in life. Words cannot express how much I love and thank you. You are truly heroes!

Post-college and into my professional career I have had the good fortune and benefit of mentorship by a host of quality individuals. These relationships have proven to be invaluable, and a critical component in my professional development. I have been blessed with excellent business mentors: Steve Johnson, Eugene Waller, Manuel Lerma, Don Stowell, Phil Kerce, Books Wise, and Morgan Clayton. These men instilled the qualities of excellence and perseverance motivating me to continue my business, educational, and professional pursuits, and as a result, in 2008, I graduated from the prestigious Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

Having benefitted from the value of encouraging parents and positive mentorship, my aim is to serve my community in capacities where my natural talents and business experience will be most effective.

As a community and business leader, I have served on numerous boards and committees in Kern county including:

• Panama Buena Vista Union Board of Trustees (August 2009)
• Vice Chairman of the Workforce Investment Committee
• Returned to Workforce Investment Committee
• Kern County Human Relations Commission
• Vice Chairman Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce
• Kern High School Citizens Bond Advisory Council
• Small Business Development Center Weill Institute
• Instructor for Jr. Achievement
• Vice President of the Kern County Black Chamber Development Foundation
• Past President, Phi Beta Sigma Gamma Xi Chapter, California State University, Fresno

Married to Joanne for over 13 years, proud father of Christianna, Caylyn, Cheyenne, and Courtney. When not working or serving, I love listening to my favorite music, chopping it up on Facebook, and spending time fulfilling commitments to church, family and friends.