Growing up,I played West Mesa Little League and spent much of my youth at parks like West Bluff and Pat Hurley. Pius X High School along what was then a dirt road, and also being an active member at St. Joseph's and Holy Rosary Churches. My wife Ann Marie and I have five children: (Annalysa and Mario) who’ve attended LBJ Middle School and Chamiza Elementary, and also three younger children: EJ (4
), Felix (2), and Eva (4 months). I completed my bachelors degree at a Jesuit university in California (Santa Clara University) and then received two master’s degrees from the University of New Mexico (Public Administration and Community & Regional Planning). My career has included four years as then-City Councilor Martin Heinrich’s policy analyst, and later, three years as a Speechwriter/Communications Liaison for later-Congressman Martin Heinrich. I've worked as the Statewide Outreach Director at Conservation Voters New Mexico, and as Communications Director for the progressive Center for Civic Policy. Most recently, I've served three years as director of the SouthWest Organizing Project, one of New Mexico's most powerful social justice-oriented community organizations. I’ve been heavily involved in the community and New Mexico politics, serving on the boards of organizations like 1000 Friends of New Mexico, the Sawmill Community Land Trust, Conservation Voters New Mexico, the Barelas Neighborhood Association, the Barelas Community Coalition, and the Southeast Team for Entrepreneurial Success. I’ve also served as precinct chair and ward vice chair with the Democratic Party. I’ve gone to the mat holding accountable then-candidate Donald J. Trump, Governor Susana Martinez, and against corporate democrats standing in the way of our peoples' progress at the state, county, and local level. I have a long history of fighting to move our progressive / working family agenda forward. I strive to lead with fearlessness and courage, especially at such a transformational time in our country’s history. That is exactly the level of boldness that I will bring to the Albuquerque City Council.
