Born in 1958 and raised in northern New Jersey, I graduated from Hackensack High School in 1976. My parents, an electronics engineer and a psychotherapist, instilled in me the values of hard work and dedication. In 1972, a visit to my aunt in San Diego sparked my love for the city. At 19, I left everything behind and moved to the West Coast. I worked various jobs and attended community college classes, eventually meeting my future wife. We were active volunteers in our community, even assisting at an orphanage in Mexico. My career took a turn when a friend suggested I apply for the San Diego Fire Academy. Despite the intense competition, I was selected for a position with the department in 1989. Over the years, I climbed the ranks and served as a Deputy Fire Marshal, learning invaluable lessons about community responsibility, problem-solving, and critical thinking. After retiring in 2015, I embarked on a new adventure with Stacey. We opened The Station TapHouse in downtown Banning, a testament to our entrepreneurial spirit. This chapter taught me the importance of supporting small businesses, the backbone of our community. In 2018, having established a successful business in Banning, I was requested to run for Banning City Council. I was honored to support our beautiful city and make decisions that honor my constituents. It is with great pride that I served a full term on the city council, where I feel I was able to contribute to the progress and fiscal responsibility that is creating stability for the future of our town. On a personal note, I’m a proud father of two and grandfather of four. My son, a former professional football player, lives in Kansas with his family. My daughter, a microbiology graduate from UCSD, resides in Escondido with her family.
