Deep Local Roots with Fresh Perspectives

Bio

I'm a Ridgecrest Native. As of 2002, I became a third generation employee at NAWCWD. As I have traveled extensively throughout North America and Europe, I have continuously held strong ties to the Indian Wells Valley. My mother moved to China Lake in 1944. My father came a few years later. My mother worked in the Sierra Sands Unified School District at Las Flores and Gateway Schools for 25 years. My father spent his entire career at China Lake and was on the School Board in the early 1980s, serving as President for one of those years. Some of my best friends in the Valley are teachers and administrators in the District. So, as you can see, I have been in a position to continue to keep informed as to the developments of the District from afar. At the same time, my distance from the specifics of the issues have allowed me to maintain an unbiased position. The four and a half years I have spent back in Ridgecrest have only enhanced my knowledge of the state of the district and the need for new ideas and fresh perspectives.

My three month tenure as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County, VA was invaluable experience developing my skills to be your next school board member. I taught full time, at most of the schools in the district, at all age levels (Head Start and K-12) and in virtually all subject areas. I've also spent a little time as a substitute teacher here at Sierra Sands since I've been back. Students are, in some cultural ways, different than they were a decade or two ago. Teachers and Administrators are facing new and challenging opportunities and limitations in their daily work environment. My experience in the classroom is something I will always cherish and will use fully as a member of your School Board.

1962 Born in Ridgecrest, CA

1974 Graduated from Las Flores Elementary School

1976 Graduated from James Monroe Junior High School

1980 Graduated from Sherman E. Burroughs High School

1985 Graduated from UC Davis
        Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

1986 Began Technical Sales & Marketing Career
        Annapolis, MD & Petaluma, CA

1990 Married my sweetheart - Kathy

1993 Vice President, Industrial Controls Startup Company
        Healdsburg, CA

1993 Our wonderful son, Adam joined our family

1997 Adam's little brother, the amazing Alex arrives

1998 Graduated from The Anderson School at UCLA
        Masters of Business Administration

1998 Our little princess, Kassidy, blesses our lives

1999 Transferred to Blacksburg, VA

2000 Vice President, Operations, Software Startup
        San Diego, CA

2001 Substitute Teacher
        Montgomery County Public Schools, VA

2002 Project Manager, NAWCWD China Lake

2003 Substitute Teacher, SSUSD

2003 Coach, IWV Youth Baseball (and 2004-2006, too)

2003 Member of Selection Committee,
        Gateway Elementary Principal

2004 Volunteer, IWV Junior Olympics (and 2005-2006, too)

2004 Technical Chair, International Test & Evaluation Association
        Test Instrumentation Workshop, Ridgecrest, CA

2006 Coach, IWV Youth Football

2007 Technical Chair, International Test & Evaluation Association
        Test Instrumentation Workshop, Ridgecrest, CA