Candidate for
Council Member; City of Rolling Hills

I was born in Chicago and my family made the Route 66, post-WWII trek to sunny Southern California when I was one + I actually had my first birthday in Flagstaff, AZ on the way here. (My uncle, an M.D., was stationed in San Diego during the war and at its end convinced the entire extended family to abandon the freezing winters in Chicago in favor of the seasonless warmth of So. Cal.)

I have been a Southern California resident ever since save for living in Washington, DC for three months while on a law school internship. Before settling in Rolling Hills over eight years ago in our current home on Caballeros, I lived in many different locations throughout Los Angeles County including the SFV, Pasadena, Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, Santa Monica, and Brentwood. That said, my wife, Sheila, and I are here to stay having just finished a six and one-half year project of building our dream house on Maverick Lane here in Rolling Hills. We should be fully resident there about the time the election is held.

From an educational standpoint I obtained a B.A in Psychology (with a minor in accounting) from California State University, Los Angeles. I also hold a Juris Doctor from UCLA Law School and am a licensed member of the California Bar (Inactive). My emphasis in Law School was on property law and land use planning.

Though I have no children of my own, I am fortunate in having had the opportunity to participate in a significant way as a step-father to my wife, Sheila's, two sons, Kevin and Stephen.

After successful careers in Real Estate and Software Development, I founded SMCI in 1983. SMCI is an information technology ("IT") consulting firm and employs approximately 600 people. To the best of my knowledge, It is the largest locally based IT consulting firm in Southern California.

I believe my experiential, professional and educational background is well suited to the requirements necessary to be an effective Council Member in Rolling Hills. In particular I believe that my legal training will be of value to the Council in contributing to the development of new legislation as well as the evaluation of existing rules and ordinances.

From the standpoint of finances and organizational efficiency a City is much like a business enterprise. To have ongoing success and viability it must always be directed and administered with fiscal responsibility and a long-term view of financial stability as being of the highest priority.

While I've had significant experience as a member of large, national trade association boards, I've had no previous political experience. However, my experience in founding, managing and leading a highly successful enterprise with a budget in the high 10's of millions for over 30 years has provided me with the business acumen that is necessary to effectively carry out the duties of a city council member of a city the size of Rolling Hills.