Through shared sacrifice, our community must provide funding for police, fire, emergency and other vital city services; prioritize water security and the delivery of safe, clean drinking water; invest heavily in our roads, sidewalks and infrastructure; advance wildfire prevention and preparedness; and create more employee housing to enhance economic development and build a full-spectrum community. Through belt-tightening, shared services, efficient and targeted use of personnel, and advanced technology, we must also create lean government.
I was born in 1961 into a working-class family with little formal education and extremely modest means. For a time, we lived in the ethnically diverse and impoverished south side of Stockton and then later in west Stockton where my mother still lives today. I spent much of my early childhood with my Mexican-American grandmother, and I am very proud of this heritage. After the loss of both my father and grandmother in 1968 --when I was seven years of age-- my mother courageously raised me and my five brothers as a single mother.
My early life experiences have profoundly shaped and influenced the man I have become: proud father, husband, lawyer, activist and public servant. My core values, faith, grit, resilience, pragmatism and world view are all solidly connected to my humble upbringing and manifested in service to my family and community.
I attended public schools in Stockton and was the first and only member of my family to attend college. In 1983, I graduated from the University of California at Berkeley. In 1986, I received my law degree from the University of California at Davis. After law school, I spent a year on the Mexican border teaching English and providing medical services to impoverished Mexican children.
I met my wonderful wife Kara while we were in school at U.C. Davis. We married in 1988 and started our respective professional careers in the Stockton area. In 1991, we had the good fortune to move to beautiful St. Helena, where I started working for a small law firm, and Kara continued her teaching career as a Spanish Dual-Immersion teacher. Kara is currently a Spanish teacher at RLS Middle school.
In 1997, I opened a small law office in Calistoga, specializing in business, insurance claims, real estate, civil litigation, mediations/arbitrations and land use. In addition to my individual clients, I have had the good fortune of representing a broad range of businesses, including many wine, vineyard, restaurant, and hospitality interests, as well as many small business owners. I have a very keen understanding of the business of the Napa Valley.
I served on the Board of Directors for the 25th District Agricultural Association (Napa Expo) for seven years. I was a Board Member of Community Action of the Napa Valley (Napa Valley Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Childcare, low income services and other charitable endeavors) for several years. I served on the Calistoga Planning Commission for two years and was elected to the Calistoga City Council in 1997 (four year term). I also previously served on Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) from 1997 to 2001 and again in 2017.
I have served on the St. Helena City Council for 10 years. I served as Vice-Mayor for 4 years, and I am serving as the current Mayor of St. Helena.
As Mayor, I represent the city on numerous boards and commisions addressing water, transportation, sustainability and housing.
