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 cla
sses, 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.
