Candidate for
Mayor; City of Orange

I was born and raised by a single mother in Los Angeles. I went to high school in San Pedro, California, a medium-sized town with a rich history and a small-town feel, much like Orange.

Since moving to Orange County more than 20 years ago, the City of Orange has always been an adopted home to me. As my range of friends grew over the years, I had the opportunity to see many parts of the city, from Old Towne to North Orange and East Orange.

As a reporter for the Orange County Register, I was able to become part of the community: I was one of the first on the scene and one of the few reporters given access as the Santiago Canyon Fire raged. I met civic leaders and was able to inform the community about important events like the change in waste collectors, the rising water rates and the struggles elected officials faced when attempting to balance the budget and maintain the level of service Orange is famous for. In my role as the first weekly columnist "Mr. Orange," I interacted with members of the community and we learned about the history and inner-workings of this incredible city.

I covered a running back from El Modena High who set the county's single game rushing record. I covered the Orange High boys cross country team that reached the podium at the California State Meet and I had the opportunity to cover the dominant Villa Park High girls cross country team of the early 2000s.

​Finally, while working for Supervisor Todd Spitzer, 3rd District, I was able to see and hear the passion of the residents who pleaded for him to keep the Canyons a rural area.

For years, I have worked in, played in and served this beautiful City. I currently work in North Orange for a family-owned business that is celebrating its 25th year in business. One of my hobbies is playing slow-pitch softball and I am proud of my softball team that has won multiple championships in this city. One of my greatest thrills was taking my wife on a date night to see "Dirty Dancing" on the big screen at Century Stadium Theaters.

Why should you vote for me for mayor?

Serving and giving back is a passion I have. I respectfully argue that a fresh point of view can be beneficial and is definitely needed. Some might call it an outsider's point of view. I have sat in the homes of many residents concerned with: abatement issues, neighbor relations, land rights, the expansion of Chapman University into Old Towne, the quality of the schools and the condition of the Orange Unified School District, the growth of the commercial sector and the need to maintain the quality of the police force protecting the city and the fight to keep high-level offenders out of Theo Lacy Jail.

​I know what it is to be an average person having the normal day-to-day issues and having to work hard to achieve results. I worked two jobs while putting myself through college, recently earning my masters degree in Public Administration.

There are few pleasures in life like loving where you live. I am grateful to live in one of the best cities in the nation and I hope you allow me the opportunity to work to keep it that way.