Candidate for
Council Member; City of Modesto; District 2

I'm involved with the following organizations:

>Arc of Stanislaus/Howard Training Center: Volunteer.

>Habitat 4 Humanity: Volunteer.

>Relay 4 Life: Volunteer/ Runner.

>Tuolumne River Trust: Volunteer.

>Latino Community Roundtable: Board of Directors.

>American GI Forum: Member.

>Comerciantes Unidos (South-side Modesto Business Community Group): Member.

>American Legion: Member.

>Youth Action Commission of Stanislaus County: Advisory Board Member.

>Parent-Teacher Association: Member.

>Weed & Seed (West-side Modesto Community group): Community Member.

>Sierra Club: Member.

>Native-American Pow-wow Committee (of Modesto Junior College): Representative.

>League of Women Voters of Stanislaus County: Local Action Committee.

>NAACP: Political Action Committee.

>Governor's Council on Physical Fitness & Sports: Regional Fitness Ambassador.

Honors/Awards/Citations:

>Citation: Commander, Submarine Squadron One + For outstanding performance and contributing to the successful completion of a six month deployment to the Western Pacific that included tasking vital to national security and three multi-national exercises (May 2007 + November 2007).

>Citation: USS Los Angeles + For outstanding performance, strong assessment, and tactical recommendations to the supervisor that contributed to a successful Eastern Pacific Deployment and supported a grade of "Above Average" overall on a Tactical Readiness Evaluation (July 2006 + January 2007).

>Citation: Naval Submarine School + For superior personal excellence and outstanding leadership (November 2005 + March 2006).

>Navy Battle "E" (efficiency) Ribbon.

>Navy Good Conduct Medal.

>Navy Expeditionary Medal.

>National Defense Service Medal.

>Global War on Terrorism (Service) Medal.

>Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

>Navy Rifle Marksmanship Medal.

>Navy Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

>National Political Science Honor Society: Pi Sigma Alpha.

>Special Achievement award: Student Government Senator.

>California Community College Scholastic Honor Society: Alpha Gamma Sigma.

"A NEW LEADER for MODESTO & a NEW ERA for STANISLAUS COUNTY!"

I was born in Texas in November of 1973 to working class/low income parents (who separated, and became absentee-parents), then raised in San Jose, California from 1975 by my grandmother, aunt and uncle, and an extended family. I moved to the Modesto area in 1990 to finish out my high school years. After I graduated from high school in 1992, I returned to Texas to live with my absentee birth-father. After 4 years of working and wasting my life away there, I returned to Modesto in order to better my life.

While working and struggling with part-time & full-time jobs like the rest of you, I began studying at Modesto Junior College in 1998 and finally graduated with an A.A. degree in 2001. I then transferred to California State University, Stanislaus where I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science with Minors in Philosophy and Gender Studies in 2004. I also began working on pre-credential teaching courses/prerequisites in order to be ready for the teaching credential program. When I was almost ready for the teaching credential program, I decided to change my career path drastically.

I enlisted in the military in 2005 and began a profession in the U.S. Navy. I signed up for submarine duty and studied in the weapons/combat computer and electronics systems, and Tactical Computers and Network Operator fields at four entry-level technical schools in Connecticut. I was then stationed aboard a submarine in Pearl Harbor, HI. Let me tell you: submarine duty is difficult and demoralizing. I do not recommend it to anyone. Although I despised submarine life, I am proud to have served in the Navy, and by the side of other military troopers. Now that I am a military veteran, I have returned to Stanislaus County as a community organizer and hopefully a Leader for the people.

While serving on a nuclear submarine, we operated in hostile waters throughout the Pacific Ocean near the coastal waters of foreign countries. Our lives were always at risk! Although we were not in the desert fighting a constant battle, our missions were more vital to National and Global Security.

My leadership experience has developed throughout the years. Unlike too many so-called politicians, I have a degree in the science of Politics, combined with student leadership and Military leadership. I have extensive experience with teamwork, leadership, management, communication, and multi-tasking. I am a well-organized, self-motivated individual with the ability to rapidly learn new tasks and work independently with attention to detail. I have consistently worked under pressure in the most stressful of environments to complete tasks and solve problems. I also have Anti-terrorism training, Close-Quarters Battle training, and was issued a government security clearance of Top-Secret, SCI eligible.

"A New Leader for a New Era"

"Let's bring back HOPE to the Central Valley."