Biography
LIFE PHILOSOPHYI have made a lot of mistakes, however every decision I have made and every action I have taken in the past has taken me to where I am today. Some people feel their best time in life was high school, college or somewhere in their past. The best time in my life is today. . . and tomorrow.
I believe that you will find whatever you are looking for and I look for good and beauty wherever I go. My mantra is Happy, Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. The more I go there, the easier it is to stay.
CANDY CANE LANE
Kids dream of growing up on ‘Candy Cane Lane’. I was born and raised on Dewey Street which was one entire block long between Roosevelt and Carson Streets, however every Christmas the entire street transformed into Candy Cane Lane. The lights, decorations, antique fire truck rides, carolers, holiday music and of course the candy canes brought thousands of people driving and walking down our street during the period from Thanksgiving to New Years.
You could have taken Dewey Street out of the mid-West and dropped it right into the Bay Area. My neighborhood was just a little piece of Americana. I never had a key to my front door. . . it was never locked and everyone was welcome. I knew the names of every family that lived on the street and very few people left the neighborhood. As a child I knew I could always go to Mr. Lanari next door or Ann Marchi across the street for anything, and we did. My siblings and I were fortunate to be raised by a loving family, strong neighborhood and a caring church community.
I understand the value of family and community. I strive every day to create that wherever I go.
EARLY COMMUNITY SERVICE
At an early age I began practicing community service. I was born into and grew up with the Woodside Road United Methodist Church in Redwood City. There were not a lot of youth my age at Woodside Road UMC so I found a niche teaching Sunday School lessons at the age of 11 to the younger kids. I liked that so much I brought the lessons home and held bible study lessons for the neighbor kids in my back yard.
I was fortunate enough to attend Redeemer Lutheran School from 2nd through 8th grade with the exception of 4th grade where I popped back into public education for one year. Redeemer provided primary education from K-8th grade and had 144 children total in attendance at the time. Redeemer provided many outreach programs throughout my tenure including visiting senior centers and assisting with call centers for various organizations. I was indoctrinated early into community service programs and understand the value to myself and others of giving back.
HIGH SCHOOL DISCOVERY
High school brought its own challenges including the shock of going from a school of 144 students to a student body of nearly 2,000. I found comfort and companionship in smaller clubs like the Sci-Fi Club, Dungeons and Dragons Club, Human Relations Club and OASIS (Organization for Asian Students in Sequoia) in which I was the only Caucasian. During my 3.5 years of high school I learned the value that diversity brings in any group or community.
COLLEGE ‘EDUCATION FOUND’
College was my educational savior! I loved learning from teachers that wanted to teach and had the latitude to do so. I loved learning with students that wanted to be in class and were not there because they were required by law, parents. . . or whatever. I loved being able to learn what I wanted as well as the required classes. Early on in my college experience, I decided to take the high school classes I had not done well in over so I would have a stronger educational base. I flourished in college and I found a love of math and science majoring in Business Finance. During my five and a half year college career I took all the ‘ology’ classes including biology, geology, psychology and sociology and still finished all my core studies in Business Finance while staying on the Dean’s list. I learned self worth and that I could do anything that was important enough.
DELTA UPSILON FRATERNITY
While studying theoretical lessons at the University I took some life lessons by joining Delta Upsilon Fraternity. I earned the name “Wallflower” and was put on probation a record 4 times during my pledge semester. A record shared to this date with another pledge brother, Mike Finley. I was a pledge that attended church every Sunday, didn’t drink alcohol or swear and was terrified of having to talk to girls. I wasn't your typical fraternity guy, however Delta Upsilon was not a typical fraternity. I held a number of offices while at Delta Upsilon including President. I learned a lot about committee work, planning, motivation, politics and how to talk to girls.
EXPLORING COMMUNITY SERVICE
Following my Presidency I was introduced to a local non-profit called the Friendly Visiting Service that provided transportation and in home visits for seniors and shut-ins. I became a volunteer and began employing the organizational strategies I learned in the fraternity. After graduation from SJSU I worked with a number of organizations including The Red Cross during and following the ’89 earthquake, Toastmasters for 10 years, North Peninsula Neighborhood Services as a Board Member and President, Rotary International on a number of committees and as a Board Member, three years as Committee Chair for Cub Scout Pack 318, a member of the Masonic Lodge and for the last 5 years on the Willow Glen Business Association currently serving as President.
FAMILY
I have been blessed with a wonderful family. My wife, Sandy and I have three beautiful children (Ashley 19, Haley 16, Daniel 14 and Cody (our Dog) who is about two human years), a mother who still loves me, siblings who still talk to me . . . occasionally, great neighbors, close friends and excellent health. You can view all of these, except maybe the ‘excellent health’, on the “My Stuff” page.
INTERESTS
I have always enjoyed taking advantage of new opportunities like following Jim O’Neil into the Police Academy, allowing Kent Brown to convince me to become a certified scuba diver, having Ted Roberts to introduce me to spelunking and to become a ski instructor, sharing Sky Diving with my good friend Pete Guzman, following in the footsteps of Ed Mosher as an Alumni Advisor at San Jose State University, getting my butt kicked playing racquetball with Lauson Fargher, playing a little golf with my father-in-law and exploring new wineries with my friends Erin, Pat, Jess, Brad and Sandy (who also doubles as my wife). I also enjoy spending time with my family at the beach, amusement park, playing board games at home and taking annual family vacations.
Managing the personal finances for a number of Willow Glen Families has allowed me to have an office on Lincoln Avenue in the ‘heart’ of Willow Glen. It has also allowed me to provide advice, resources, solutions and peace of mind to local community members.
As the President of the Willow Glen Business Association and the Producer and Host of Willow Glen in Motion, I am attempting to create an environment that brings the community together and draws them downtown to live, shop, work and play in Willow Glen.
As I said at the beginning of this story, I believe the best time in my life is today. . . and tomorrow, let's leave each others lives a little bit better with each encounter.
I bring life experiences to the table. I know what it means to run a business, to experience life changing events and to deal with educating my children while facing retirement.
As you walk through this site you will find some of my personal life experiences and it will introduce you to my family and some of the activities we share.