Recognitions- -Recipient of the 2010 Star of Life Award from Alameda County Emergency Medical Services for being recognized as an individual with exemplary medical skills, whose outstanding actions contribute to the advancement and excellence in the delivery of emergency care to the residents of Alameda County.  -Recipient of the 2019 Healthy Hero Award by Mt Madonna YMCA in Gilroy/Morgan Hill -Named one of the People to Watch in 2020 by GMH Today Magazine   Serving the Community- I joined the City of Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission because I saw a lack of leadership in my community when it came to bike and ped.  I couldn’t agree more with Bill Gates when he stated, “I like to push the level of risk of doing things that wouldn’t happen without leadership and vision.” Whether its accomplishments we have made in Safe Routes To School, welcoming new businesses that push the comfort level and allow us to grow as a Community, like a Hillside Adventure Park behind Gilroy Gardens, the introduction of e-bikes/e-scooters, or paving the way for our own community to have the ability to develop and maintain a BMX Bike Park in our park system.  The role that our Commission plays in the community makes me proud each day.  I’ve seen too many missed opportunities.  Thank you to the Gilroy City Council, Gilroy Downtown Business Association, and Gilroy Chamber of Commerce that have been open to the ideas that our Commission has come up with. Thank you to my best friend and wife Katie who is truly the one person that centers me in life and I love how we continue to support each other’s ventures. To my daughter Avery whom many of you know because she is usually at all these meetings with me...I bring you to these meetings for two reasons.  One is because you are the best reminder to decision makers that we need to always think of the future generations, not just the current, and two, because I hope that it inspires you to always be a leader in your community and realize that you have control of your destiny.  We as leaders have the responsibility to turn this City over to you in better shape than we received it.     I am ready to be your ambassador, and represent you on the Gilroy City Council during the November 3, 2020 election.  As your City Councilmember, I promise my office will always treat this Council seat as an extension of your voice.  I will continue to bring the decisions and actions of City Government to you through social media, newspaper columns, town halls, press releases, email, and video.  Whatever is easiest for you, there will be a way for you to feel connected.  

What makes the Democratic Party a robust and egalitarian institution is the fact that so many Americans from different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs can come together animated by shared ideals and values. These values are the core of who we are as Democrats. They transcend momentary political and policy disagreements, uniting us as Democrats.

Justice: Central to everything we are as Democrats is a commitment to justice. We believe in the right of each person to be free, to have that freedom protected, and to demand justice when those freedoms are violated. We believe in the dignity and equality of every person, and the right of every person to be treated fairly by the institutions of our society and government. We condemn all forms of discrimination and bigotry, and, like our founding fathers and mothers, we are suspicious of inherited, wealth, or class-based privilege as a danger to our freedoms and the fair application of justice. We believe that our nation is strongest when all persons can be confident that justice and the rule of law prevail.

Equality of Opportunity: Every person is born equal, and we, therefore, believe that there is nothing more noxious to a free and just society than the establishment and perpetuations of systems of inequality that privilege some and limit the opportunities of others. We believe that equal opportunity can only be achieved when every citizen has affordable access to food, shelter, quality inclusive health care, a good education, and a fair criminal justice system. We believe that our economic system must be accessible, competitive, and treat all participants fairly, and we reject the de facto oligarchy of wealthy elites who seek to rig the system for their own personal gain. We believe that equal opportunity demands that we truthfully acknowledge and swiftly remedy past wrongs, and we reject efforts to perpetuate inequality for political, social, or economic gain.

Community: The sovereign right of community action is built into our system of government, for only by acting together does our democracy function properly. As such, we believe in the sovereign right of all Americans to select and petition their government, and we condemn efforts to limit that right through voter suppression, corruption, and gerrymandering. We believe that our strength comes from vibrant local communities and civic organizations. We believe in the right of people to associate with one another to achieve economic goals by starting a company or joining a union. We believe that every community has a right to defend their safety, protect the health of their citizens from polluters, and shield their unique local economies from exploitation and displacement. And we believe that only together can we tackle our most pressing challenges, including the existential crisis of climate change. 

 

EDUCATION

 

·         Saint Mary’s College               Moraga, CA.             B.A. Psychology

 

·         San Jose State University        San Jose, CA.             M.A. Counseling/Education  

 

·         Stanford University                  Palo Alto, CA.          Continuing Studies Program

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPIERENCE

 

Stanford University School of Medicine

Director of Student Affairs, Assistant Director of Admissions (November 2001 – September 2018)

 

• Twenty years of experience in college admissions, career services, counseling, advising, student affairs, and business development
• Self-starter business development executive, offering proven success in achieving business goals in highly competitive markets.

 

 

 

• Strong relations with federal, state, county, and other municipal government agencies

 

 

 

• Presented at over 500 High School, Community College & Four-Year Colleges, Pre-Medical Conferences, Leadership Conferences, Diversity, and Legislative Conferences

 

 

 

• Past member of the Stanford Physician Assistant Admission Committee, Stanford School of Medicine MMI Admissions Panel, The Stanford HCOP/SPSP Admissions Committee

 

 

 

 

I’m running for re-election because I love my city, the people and I want to continue to make Gilroy the best place to live for all residents. I’ve been a leader in preparing Gilroy for exciting things to come in the areas of economic development, revitalizing downtown, public safety, and quality of life. I’ve demonstrated that I am a proven leader who enjoys working with residents and council to meet the needs of families and businesses

 

My 16 years of public service gives me the proven leadership to hit the ground running so I can continue to be your voice and work on your behalf. I know how to get things done at City Hall. and  I have the proven record to keep the city growing in the right direction. 

 

If re-elected, I will ensure our police officers and firefighters have the resources they need to keep us safe, will invest in our children and families, and will help our local businesses thrive, bringing more good high wage jobs to our city.

 

I want to continue to serve my neighbors, local business owners, and work hard on their behalf. To always return their phone calls, and address their concerns quickly and effectively. When we work together we can and will move Gilroy forward, not only for our residents, but for our children too.

 

 

 

I’m proud of the following accomplishments while on the the council?

 

 

 

·       Public Safety Quality of life - Made the downtown Police Department patrol a permanent service budgeted for 2 additional officers. Fought to fund a fourth fire station (Glen Loma) in the southwest side of town. Increased Fire Department medical response with deployment of Alternative Service Model. City Council approved deployment changes for City firefighters

 

Downtown Revitalization/Economic Development – Supported facade program and fee reduction program. Parking - Successfully fought to getting funding for the downtown parking lot (Eigleberry Street between 6th and 7th Streets). Economic Development - Adopted ED strategic plan, expanded incentive program (Impact fee deferment program).

 

·       Safer Streets and Roads - Focused on local streets and roads thru-out Gilroy. Capitol maintenance and Local Street repair program - Successfully lobbied for First Street reconstruction and secured $15M for its restoration or improvement.

 

 

 

·     Recreation/Housing - Support of San Jose Sharks for the potential ice rinks in Gilroy. Voted in support of a BMX pump track in Christmas Hill Park. Approved new Housing projects (Meritage housing projects on North Monterey). Expanded new Parks and Trails - Sydney park, Ronan trail construction. I will support making Gilroy a Recreation/Tourism Destination

 

 

 

Moving forward our city government should focus on:

 

·       Financial recovery and sustainability

 

·       Healthy and vibrant Downtown - Improve our exceptional quality of life for all

 

·       Public safety - Infrastructure and the delivery of necessary services.

 

·       Constituent Service - Build consensus to build momentum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If re-elected, I would work to address the following issues?

 

 

 

Recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus. We must provide resources that get our businesses back open and our employees back to work. In addition to managing our finances wisely, our recovery starts with protecting the most vulnerable affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Our future should be to continue creating better paying jobs, continue supporting our small businesses, continue improving our neighborhoods, and making housing affordable for those who require it. Every family in Gilroy deserves a good quality of life and a council member who you can trust and one that always has your back. I will work proactively with local business owners, residents, labor and community groups to promote economic growth. I will work to give more voice to local businesses and ensure businesses stay within our City.

 

Healthy and vibrant Downtown.  Over the last four years, we have set strong foundations in our planning efforts that will continue to guide our growth as a city in a way that is responsible and inclusive. A strong downtown can stimulate economic growth and serve as an incubator of social and community. Let’s continue to keep profits in town, supports local and family owned businesses. Our neighborhood businesses are also at the heart of our local economy, and we should do everything we can to help them succeed and make our city the unique and thriving place it is. I want our downtown to be known as a destination spot. It’s important that our downtown is vital.  I commit to strengthening the partnership between the City, Gilroy Chamber, and the Gilroy Downtown Business Association.

 

 

 

 

 

Public Safety/ Safe and Authentic Neighborhoods.  Everyone individual deserves to be safe in our city, no matter what. I will continue to fight to ensure public safety officers receive appropriate funding and the proper equipment to do their jobs. In addition to fighting to support an increased police presence in our neighborhoods and on our streets. I am committed to supporting our city’s capable staff of first responders, law enforcement and healthcare personnel with the resources and funding to do their jobs effectively through the pandemic with a community-oriented approach. I will further public safety and trust with local departments by working collaboratively and ensuring high levels of training and professionalism.

 

 

 

Constituent Service
I pride myself on being a tireless advocate for my constituents and I feel that one of my most important duties as a councilmember is to assist residents in accessing city services. I am always ready to listen if you are having trouble with a city service or have ideas about how to make Gilroy a better place to live.

 

 

 

I am proud to have earned the endorsements from many local and state leaders, as well as community leaders and organizations.

 

 

 

·       Gilroy Police Officers Association

 

·       Gilroy FireFighter Local 2805

 

·       GilPAC, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce

 

Santa Clara County Democratic Party

 

 

 

  Robert Rivas – Assembly member, District 30

 

·       Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman

 

·       Marie Blankley –Gilroy Councilmember

 

·       Cat Tucker –Gilroy Councilmember

 

·    Carol Marques – Gilroy Councilmember

 

DiDion Bracco – Gilroy Councilmember

 

·       Peter Leroe-Muñoz – Gilroy Councilmember