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I have committed my life to serving the public good through professional public service and volunteer community service. Although I recently retired from a 26-year career in the fire service, culminating as the Fire Chief with the City of Santee, I continue to fight for improved fire safety and the development of our future public safety leaders. I currently serve as the Emergency Management Section President for the California Fire Chiefs Association, advocating for enhanced emergency preparedness throughout our state. I also work as an adjunct professor at San Diego Miramar College, where I have taught fire officer development courses for over 11 years. As the first member of my family to obtain to college degree, and having paid for every penny of my education, I fully understand the financial challenges that are facing those that wish to pursue higher education. It is very fulfilling to be assisting with the development and deployment of a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management offered at Miramar College. This program allows students to obtain a 4-year degree from an accredited university at a fraction of the cost they would otherwise incur.

I have served our community throughout the years in several areas dating back to my time as volunteer firefighter prior to becoming a full-time paid firefighter. I have served as the Treasurer and Board Chair for the San Marcos Promise (now Project Next), assisting with the opening of Future Centers at all three high schools in the San Marcos Unified School District. After assisting with the successful passage of Measure Q, I was selected to serve as one of the community members on the Measure Q Citizen’s Oversight Committee, helping to ensure the funds are appropriately utilized based upon community needs and wishes. My family and I have been fortunate to be able to give back to the Boys & Girls Club in San Marcos through donations and sponsorships during charity events. Lastly, I find extreme joy helping to mentor young men and women in navigating their own pathways into the fire service. The success stories of those I have been able to assist over my career some of my most cherished memories.

If elected to serve our community, I will provide executive level leadership and experience in navigating the complexities of governmental operations. I have a long personal history of successes in applying pragmatism to the challenges we face as a city. As a Fire Chief, I led the largest department in the city and assisted with navigating intense emergency situations at the local, county, and statewide levels. I have lived in every district in the City of San Marcos and attended Woodland Park Elementary, San Marcos Junior High, San Marcos High School, and Palomar College. The depth of understanding the history and needs of our community, and breadth of shared perspectives throughout the city, is likely not matched by any others seeking to serve as a councilmember. Intellectual curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning is essential to anyone who wishes to hold public office. These are personal core values that have demonstrated throughout my professional career. I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience, a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from San Diego State University, and a PhD in Fire and Emergency Management from Oklahoma State University. Having obtained both my MPA and PhD while working full-time and raising a family, I understand the critical need for time management and industriousness.

The privilege of working alongside my public safety brothers and sisters, who selflessly run into harm’s way when called upon, has been the greatest professional honor of my life. I have held every rank in the fire service and responded to many of the largest emergency incidents in the history of California, including the Cedar Fire in 2003 and the Witch Fire in 2007. I had the best career on the planet, but it is time for a new chapter in life. I now have an opportunity to serve my friends and neighbors due to having one very critical element that I did not have beforehand…time. I am excited for the opportunity to utilize my time focusing on solving the challenges we face as a community. I look forward to applying my professional expertise, local knowledge of the history of the City of San Marcos, and my commitment to lifelong learning, to best serve the continually evolving needs of our citizens.

“There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.”