VOTE411 Voter Guide

My top priority is improving customer service and information accessibility. Most residents and businesses interact with County government through the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, and that experience should be clear, straightforward, and helpful. My goal is to make information easier to access, increase awareness of how property taxes work, and expand on flexible user-friendly options such as online tools and partial payments for those who need them.

Second, I want to ensure we are making thoughtful investments in technology and planning ahead for the future. Modern electronic systems, like our property tax system, are essential for making services more efficient, accessible, and responsive to the public. It is important that they remain reliable, adaptable, and capable of meeting evolving needs. That includes enhancing functionality, expanding payment options, and taking a long-term approach so improvements continue to serve the County well over time.

Third, I am focused on fiscal responsibility and transparency. This office manages billions in public funds, and that requires careful stewardship and accountability. I am committed to maintaining strong internal controls, making sound investment decisions, and clearly communicating how public funds are managed so taxpayers can have confidence in the process.

At its core, this role is about serving the public effectively, being responsible with taxpayer dollars, and ensuring the office operates in a way that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of those who reach out to the office.

I have spent my entire career in Ventura County public service, with a focus on finance, budgeting, and fiscal operations, including financial planning, internal controls, audit compliance, and grant management. I currently serve as the Director of Accounting for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. In this role, I lead fiscal operations for a multi-million dollar budget, oversee financial reporting, provide strategic leadership to staff, and ensure compliance with complex funding and audit requirements.

Earlier in my career, I worked in the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, where I gained hands-on experience with property tax administration and collections, with a strong focus on helping taxpayers navigate the process and resolving issues through direct, in-person service. That experience remains important to me because it provided both a technical understanding of the office’s responsibilities and a direct perspective on how its work impacts residents and businesses.

I have also worked in other County departments, including Probation and Water & Sanitation, which broadened my understanding of how County programs are funded and how departments rely on the Treasurer-Tax Collector for essential financial services and support.

In addition, I am a certified public funds investment manager, reflecting my training and commitment to responsible stewardship of public dollars.

Beyond my professional experience, I currently serve as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Fillmore and remain actively involved in the community, working with residents, businesses, and local leaders on issues that affect our region.

I bring a combination of technical expertise, leadership experience, and a strong commitment to public service. I understand the responsibilities of this office and the role it plays in the County’s financial health, and I am prepared to lead it in a way that is transparent, accountable, and focused on serving the people of Ventura County.

One example is how I would approach modernizing the County’s tax and treasury systems while continuing to meet daily operational demands.

In the short term, the office has to deliver core services without disruption—accurately processing tax payments, maintaining cash flow for County operations, and assisting taxpayers who may be navigating challenges. During economic uncertainty, that also means making sure people understand available options, such as installment plans or penalty relief provisions allowed under the tax code, so they can avoid unnecessary financial hardship.

At the same time, I would dedicate focused time to long-term system improvements. This includes strengthening the property tax system to improve reliability and security, expanding online services, and adding practical tools such as partial payments, payment plans, and more user-friendly account access. It also means strengthening coordination with the Auditor-Controller and Assessor to ensure data flows efficiently and accurately across systems.

The goal is to make these efforts reinforce each other. For example, when better payment options and clearer communication tools are in place, the office is better equipped to respond during an economic downturn. Staff can spend less time working through manual processes and more time helping taxpayers directly, while residents have clearer, more accessible ways to stay current on their obligations.

Balancing immediate service with long-term planning requires being intentional with time and resources, ensuring that operational needs are met while steadily building systems that make the office more resilient, efficient, and responsive in the years ahead.

I want voters to know that this is something I’ve been working toward since my early years in the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office. From the beginning of my career, I’ve been drawn to this work and the role it plays in serving the public. This isn’t a stepping stone for me, it’s the path I’ve chosen to dedicate my career to.

I’ve spent nearly two decades working behind the scenes in County government, making sure things are done correctly, responsibly, and in a way that serves the public. It’s not always visible work, but it matters. The small contributions made every day, getting the details right, ensuring compliance, and supporting operations, add up and directly translate into better, more reliable services for the communities we serve. That’s the kind of work I take pride in.

I also believe that strong public service starts with a strong team. When staff feel supported, confident, and empowered in their roles, they begin to take ownership of the office’s work and its accomplishments. That sense of shared responsibility leads to higher quality service, better problem solving, and a more responsive experience for the public. My role as Treasurer-Tax Collector would be to set clear expectations, support that environment, and make sure the team has what they need to succeed.

Finally, I understand that for most people, their interaction with this office is personal. It involves their home, their business, or other financial obligations. They deserve clear information, accessible services, and to be treated with respect.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to serve the public well, support the people doing the work, and make sure this office operates in a way that Ventura County residents can trust.

Continue to provide excellent customer service to our constituents. Continue to achieve our mission every day: to collect, to bank, and to invest. As our population grows, I want to introduce innovations and operating efficiencies to serve the County residents. In this way, we can create long-term financial professionalism in the Treasurer-Tax Collector's office.

I currently serve as the Assistant Treasurer-Tax Collector. I am effectively the Chief Operating Officer of the agency and manage all aspects of operations in this office. I have been with the Treasurer-Tax Collector for more than 10 years, serving in several management roles with increasing responsibilities.

I have earned several professional investment certifications, which are very important when managing the County’s $5 billion investment pool, including the following: Certified California Municipal Treasurer from the California Municipal Treasurers Association (CMTA); Certified Government Investment Professional from the Government Investment Officers Association (GIOA); Advanced Certified Public Funds Investment Manager from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States & Canada (APT US&C); and Certified Public Finance Administrator (APT US&C).

I also serve on the Finance Committee of the APT US&C and on the Certification Committee of CMTA.

I have been an active CPA since 2000. I had 20 years of combined private-sector experience. I started my career with one of the Big 6 accounting firms after college, then worked in auditing, corporate finance, accounting, budgeting, SOX compliance, and SEC reporting for public-traded companies. I graduated from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), with a major in Accounting and Finance. I also earned a Master of Public Administration from CSUN, with a major in Public Sector Management and Leadership.

As fiduciaries of public funds, I will ensure our County has sufficient liquidity to meet the County’s operating needs. We are the fiscal stewards of the County’s money. We provide public service by continuing to bring an excellent customer service experience to our constituents.

I will lead with compassion, transparency, and integrity. I take my fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Ventura County seriously.